Additional Coverage:
- Alyssa Milano Reacts to ‘Charmed’ Costar Shannen Doherty’s Death After ‘Complicated Relationship’ (newsbreak.com)
Alyssa Milano recently expressed her condolences and respect for Shannen Doherty, who passed away after a long battle with cancer at age 53. Despite their known tensions, Milano highlighted her deep respect and awe for Doherty, acknowledging her as a cherished actress whose absence diminishes the world. The news of Doherty’s death was confirmed by her publicist, Leslie Sloane, who revealed that Doherty succumbed to cancer surrounded by family, friends, and her beloved dog, Bowie.
Milano and Doherty, alongside Holly Marie Combs, were co-stars on the popular TV series ‘Charmed’, where they played the Halliwell sisters. The show, which aired from 1998 to 2006, saw Doherty leave after the third season.
The relationship among the cast members recently made headlines again due to renewed conflicts, with allegations that Milano contributed to Doherty’s departure from the show. This was discussed on Doherty’s podcast, where it was claimed that the production was forced to choose between Milano and Doherty, with threats of a lawsuit over a hostile work environment being involved.
Milano addressed these claims, expressing sadness over the persisting negativity affecting the show’s legacy, during a panel at Megacon. She regretted the impact of past conflicts on fans and emphasized her personal growth and efforts to overcome past traumas. In response to the allegations, Milano clarified on social media that she did not have the authority to fire Doherty, lamenting that ‘Charmed’s’ cast dynamics are still discussed negatively years later.
Doherty also addressed the situation in her panel at MegaCon, emphasizing her desire for truthfulness about her experiences, particularly in light of her health struggles and the professional and personal impacts she endured. She stressed that her recounting of events is based on factual experiences, not dramatized narratives.
The death of Shannen Doherty and the ongoing discourse around ‘Charmed’ highlight not only the personal battles faced by those in the spotlight but also the complex dynamics that can exist behind the scenes of successful entertainment productions.