Why Shannen Doherty's Charmed Journey Ended Abruptly
Shannen Doherty sheds light on her departure from Charmed, citing Alyssa Milano's involvement and a potential legal threat
Shannen Doherty recently discussed her exit from the popular TV show Charmed, citing threats from co-star Alyssa Milano as the reason for her departure. Doherty was part of the original cast of the series, which premiered on The WB in 1998 and centered around a trio of witches, with Milano and Holly Marie Combs playing her on-screen siblings.
Doherty's character met her demise in Season 3, and the actor has recently disclosed on her podcast that she did not willingly leave the popular show, but was instead forced to depart.
Shannen Doherty reveals why she was fired from Charmed
During a conversation with her former Charmed co-star Holly Marie Combs on the podcast ‘Let’s be Clear with Shannen Doherty,’ the actress clarified the situation behind-the-scenes, revealing that it was Alyssa Milano's desire to have her removed from the show.
Doherty recounts, "My representatives told me at the time, 'No, no, no, your career won't survive another firing, so we're just going to say that you chose to leave.' I started laughing and asked, 'Who is going to believe that I'm crazy enough to leave a hit show?'"
The earlier firing Doherty mentions occurred when she was pushed off Beverly Hills 90210 after the fourth season in 1994.
Why Alyssa Milano threatened to sue
Doherty adds, "Continuously repeating a false narrative is not an option. I regret not taking legal action and setting the record straight, as the rumors continued to haunt me."
Holly Marie-Combs elaborates on the situation, stating that Charmed producer Jonathan Levin informed them that Alyssa Milano had threatened legal action if Shannen Doherty was not let go. According to Combs, Levin indicated that they were forced to choose between Doherty and Milano, as Milano had threatened to sue for creating a hostile work environment.
Combs asserts that Milano "constructed a narrative for herself" by recording any instances where she felt uneasy on set, a claim that Doherty disputes by emphasizing her own kindness and support for her co-star, stating "I don't recall ever being unkind to [Milano] on set."
In addition, Combs maintains that she did not witness any conflicts or confrontations between her co-stars and believes that Milano's legal warning "would not be acceptable by contemporary standards."
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Editor's P/S
As a fan of the original Charmed series, I am deeply saddened and disappointed to learn about the circumstances surrounding Shannen Doherty's departure from the show. It is disheartening to hear that Alyssa Milano's involvement and potential legal threats played a role in Doherty's exit. Doherty's character, Prue Halliwell, was a beloved and integral part of the Charmed trio, and her absence was felt throughout the remaining seasons.
It is commendable that Doherty is finally speaking out about the truth behind her departure, setting the record straight after years of false narratives. The revelation that Milano allegedly threatened legal action if Doherty was not removed from the show sheds a negative light on the dynamics and professionalism within the cast. It is unfortunate that such conflicts and power struggles occurred behind the scenes, affecting the chemistry and camaraderie that fans cherished.
