Charmed's Alyssa Milano is addressing claims that she fired Shannen Doherty
Alyssa Milano talks about Holly Marie Combs' claim she got Shannen Doherty Fired from Charmed.
“I feel like I need to address the elephant in the room,” Milano, 51, said during a Charmed panel on Friday, February 2 Megacon Orlando. “You all are Charmed fans, I knew this would come up somehow. I want to be very thoughtful about how I respond to all of this.
Milano was referring to Doherty, 52, and Combs' December 2023 podcast episode “Let's Be Clear,” in which the pair spoke candidly about the behind-the-scenes drama of the WB series and claimed Milano was behind Doherty being fired from the show.
“I'll just say I'm sad. I don't think it's really that I'm sad about myself or my life, or the way it does or doesn't affect my life. I'm saddest for the fans,” she said. “I am most saddened that a show that meant so much to so many people has been tainted by a toxicity that continues to this day, almost a quarter century later.”
The actress admitted that she was also angry that others “couldn't get past” the drama and take in what they accomplished in eight seasons. While Milano understands that Doherty and Combs, 50, still have to deal with their feelings, she explained that she also had to work on processing her own emotions.
“When I think back to that time, it was hard for me, and I've worked super hard in my life for the past 25 years to heal all my traumas,” she said. “And that's not just all the trauma I experienced while shooting, but all my trauma. I have worked very hard to heal the pieces because I understand that hurting people hurt people and my intention is to be a healed person who helps people heal.
Milano said she wishes she and her co-stars could get on stage to do a panel together for their fans, but she doesn't know what else she can do to mend the trio's broken bond.
“I think I've been very upfront and taken responsibility and apologized for whatever role I played in the situation,” she admitted. “I have been very candid about that. I don't know how else to solve it.”
Although the drama is “heartbreaking and difficult” for Milano, she is more angry for the fans.
“This is the awkward part that I wish was different,” she concluded. “So we apologize to everyone who loves us anyway.”
Milano played the role of Phoebe Halliwell in all eight seasons of the supernatural series, which ran from 1996 to 2008. Combs and Doherty played her sisters Piper and Prue, respectively. During the season 3 finale, Doherty's character was abruptly killed off and replaced by Rose McGowen's Paige in season 4. At the time, Spelling Television claimed that Doherty left the show to pursue other projects. Although Doherty did not give a clear reason at the time, she hinted that there was “drama” on set.
In December 2023, Combs and Doherty made headlines after Combs claimed Milano was responsible for Doherty's departure.
'It wasn't our intention [fire Shannen]but we have been backed into this corner,” she reminded producer Jonathan Levin tell her. “We're actually in this position where it's one or the other. We were told [by Alyssa] it's her or [Shannen] and Alyssa has threatened to sue us for a hostile work environment.”
Friday marks the first time that Milano has addressed the accusations of dismissal. While she did not confirm or deny her involvement in Doherty's departure, she previously said she “took responsibility for a lot” of the issues between her and Doherty while speaking to Entertainment tonight in 2021.
“I think a lot of our struggle came from feeling like I was competing, rather than it being about that sisterhood that the show was so much about,” she told the outlet at the time. “And I feel guilty about my part in it.”