Alyssa Milano has broken her silence about her Charmed costar Shannen Doherty‘s claims that Milano got her fired from the series.
Speaking to the crowd at a Charmed panel hosted by MegaCon Orlando yesterday, the actress addressed the long-running feud rumours.
“I will just say that I’m sad. I don’t think it’s really that I’m sad for me or for my life or how it does or does not affect my life,” said Milano.
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“I’m the most sad for the fans. I am the most sad that a show that has meant so much to so many people has been tarnished by a toxicity that is still to this day almost a quarter of a century later still happening.”
“I’m sad that people can’t move past it, I’m sad that we all can’t just celebrate the success of a show that meant so much to all of us.”
It came in response to claims from her former costars Doherty and Holly Marie Combs that she gave the show’s producer, Jonathan Levin, an ultimatum.
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Combs recounted the story he told her, revealing to Doherty on her Let’s Be Clear podcast in December 2023: “He said, you know, ‘We’re basically in a position where it’s one or the other. We were told [by Alyssa] that it’s [Shannen] or me, and Alyssa has threatened to sue us for a hostile workplace environment.'”
Combs added that Milano “built a case for herself” by using a mediator on set to document every time she felt uncomfortable while filming.
Milano addressed this claim in an Instagram post, posted the day after her appearance at the panel.
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“Everything was documented. There was a professional mediator (I was told Holly and Shannen would not participate in any mediation) and an on-set producer/babysitter who were both brought in to investigate all claims. It was then recommended by this mediator, after collecting testimony from cast AND crew—what changes should be made if the show was going to continue,” she claimed.
“The studio, Aaron Spelling, and network made the decision to protect the international hit that was Charmed. I did not have the power to get anyone fired. Once Shannen left we had 5 more successful seasons and I am forever grateful.
Doherty left the series after season 3 in 2001, stating that she had outgrown the show. Her character was killed off and she was replaced with Rose McGowan in another role after her departure.
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The actress was more forthright about her reasoning during an interview with Entertainment Tonight later that year.
“There was too much drama on the set and not enough passion for the work. You know, I’m 30 years old and I don’t have time for drama in my life anymore,” she said.
“I want to work with actors who really, really care and that want to be there every single day,” she continued.
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“I don’t want to work with people who b—h about their job and complain about it and say that they hate it or anything else.”