Alyssa Milano Shannen Doherty Charmed firing: What happened?

Charmed stars Alyssa Milano, Shannen Doherty, and Rose McGowan have had a decade-long feud, with Milano being the odd woman out.

The television series Charmed gained immense popularity when it first aired in 1998. The youthful witch protagonists became beloved figures and the show became a symbol for the third wave of feminism. However, behind the scenes, there was a significant amount of tension among the actresses. Shannen Doherty and Rose McGowan have been at odds with Alyssa Milano for years, and now, Holly Marie Combs has also sided with her on-screen sisters, declaring that Milano wasn't as good a witch as she appeared.

The 90's cult classic followed three magically inclined good witches known as The Chosen Ones. The series dazzled audiences with its overtly feminine nature, fresh spin on the occult, and action sequences reminiscent of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. While the on-screen siblings initially appeared to love one another, the cast was rarely seen together by the third season, and glowing statements Milano had previously given about her costars were a thing of the past. Tensions on set led to a strained working environment, with Doherty being particularly frustrated with the stagnating plotlines and the lack of dedication from her co-stars.

Several of Milano's co-stars have spoken out about her behavior, with Rose McGowan even publicly attacking her on Twitter. Shannen Doherty also expressed her frustration with the drama on set and the ungrateful behavior of her co-stars. Paramount even sent mediators to diffuse the tension, but to no avail. The situation only worsened, leading to Doherty's eventual dismissal from the show.

There have been rumors for years that Milano gave producers an ultimatum, demanding that either production sack Doherty, or she would walk. Doherty requested to leave the show in December of 2000, but was denied; her contract was explicit - if she walked away the company had grounds to sue her. Less than a year later, Doherty was fired via phone call.

Milano has never denied the friction between her and her co-stars, and has maintained a poised demeanor in public responses. Despite the public attacks against her, she has taken the high road, expressing her commitment to kindness.