The power of three will free us… from everything but drama.
Charmedwhich premiered on The WB in 1998, made headlines from the start when Aaron Spelling was hired Shannen Doherty to play one of the three Halliwell sisters, four years after she was infamously let go from Spelling Television’s Beverly Hills, 90210.
“[Aaron] was very supportive of the idea of casting Shannen Doherty as Prue,” creator Constance M. Burge reminded of In contact in 2018, noting that the actress’ chemistry with Holly Marie Combs was one of the reasons the producers wanted her for the role. “Holly was active at the time wooden fences, and she was also good friends with Shannen, so they had great chemistry together.
With Doherty and Combs taking on the roles of Prue and Piper respectively, Lori Rom would complete the trio as youngest sister Phoebe. After they shot the pilot, Rom was recast Alyssa Milano.
While the Halliwell sisters’ chemistry worked on screen, tensions were high behind the scenes and history repeated itself when Doherty left after three seasons. Doherty later spoke out amid reports that she and Milano were not getting along.
“There was too much drama on set and not enough passion for the work,” Doherty said Entertainment tonight at the time. “You know, I’m 30 years old and I don’t have time for drama in my life anymore. For me, it’s kind of whatever. I will miss Holly very much and that is really the only thing I want to clarify.”
She continued: “She is one of my best friends and I love her dearly. And there have never been any problems between the two of us, and we will always be friends.”
While Doherty claimed at the time that Combs was unsure if she wanted to remain on the series without her then-best friend, Charmed continued for five more seasons with Combs, Milano and Rose McGowan, who played their long-lost sister Paige.
The fantasy drama went on to make history as the longest-running one-hour series with all-female leads before its 2006 finale. (Desperate housewives took over the honor in 2012). For some fans, however, the legacy is overshadowed by the alleged drama on set. Scroll through for a full timeline:
Hear Us Weekly’s editors break down the most surprising celebrity births during the pandemic in under 2 minutes!