The power of three will set us free … from everything but drama.
CharmedThe WB’s 1998 premiere of the show,, was a huge success. Aaron Spelling was hired to produce it. Shannen Doherty to play one of the three Halliwell sisters, four years after she was infamously let go from Spelling Television’sBeverly Hills, 90210
“[Aaron] was extremely supportive of the idea of casting Shannen Doherty as Prue,” creator Constance M. BurgeRecalled to InTouch in 2018, noting that the actress’ chemistry with Holly Marie CombsProducers wanted her to play the role because of this. “Holly at the time had been on Picket Fences and she was also dear friends with Shannen, so they had terrific chemistry with each other.”
Doherty, Combs, and Piper respectively, will assume the roles. Lori RomTo complete the trio, was cast as Phoebe, the youngest sister. Rom was recast after they shot the pilot. Alyssa Milano.
“My understanding is that [Lori’s]It was personal. She was accommodated and after that we just got so fortunate with Alyssa,” Burge explained. “It was horrid and sad for her to go, but we were fortunate that it all worked out with Alyssa. I think that Alyssa definitely brought … a sexiness to the part. Both did a good job, and Alyssa stayed. It would have been awful to have lost her, as well. At that point the show would have been about two sisters.”
The Halliwell sisters’ chemistry was great on-screen, but tensions behind-the scenes were high. History repeats itself when Doherty leaves after three seasons.
“We have had a long and prosperous relationship with Shannen and we didn’t want to hold her back from what she wanted to do,” Spelling Television said in a statement in 2001. “We wish her all the best and much-continued success.”
The Heathers star later spoke out amid reports that she and Milano didn’t get along.
“There was too much drama on the set and not enough passion for the work,” Doherty told Entertainment Tonightat the time. “You know, I’m 30 years old and I don’t have time for drama in my life anymore. To me it’s sort of whatever. I’ll miss Holly a lot and that’s really the only thing I want to clear up.”
She continued: “She is one of my best friends and I love her dearly. And there were never ever ever any problems between the two of us, and we will always be pals.”
While Doherty claimed at the time that Combs wasn’t sure if she wanted to stay on the series without her then-bestie, CharmedContinued to work with Combs, Milano, and for five more season Rose McGowan,Who played Paige, their long-lost sibling.
The fantasy drama was then renamed the longest-running hourlong series with all female leads, before the 2006 finale. (Desperate HousewivesIn 2012, McGowan assumed the honor. For some fans, however, the legacy has been overshadowed by claims from McGowan that backup Doherty’s past accusations about the on-set drama. For a complete timeline, scroll down:
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