Fresh allegations made by actress Shannen Doherty have blown open the decades-long feud between her and fellow Charmed star Alyssa Milano, providing new insight into Doherty’s abrupt and controversial departure from the hit supernatural drama in 2001.
Doherty Claims Milano Orchestrated Her Firing
In an emotional new podcast interview, Doherty claimed that Milano was directly responsible for getting her fired from the show after three seasons starring as eldest Halliwell sister Prue.
“I was hurt by the way that whole thing went down and the way that I was thrown under the bus,” Doherty said, referring to being let go without warning. “Alyssa took it upon herself to make sure that I was fired and ruin my credibility…and my reputation and my career.”
Doherty described the on-set environment as “toxic” and recounted bursting into tears every night during her final episodes. Co-star Holly Marie Combs seemingly validated Doherty’s account, admitting in a separate interview that Milano “had her fired” because she believed the show would be “better without Shannen on it.”
History of Bad Blood Preceded Doherty’s Exit
Rumors of behind-the-scenes friction dogged Charmed for years, particularly between hot-headed leads Doherty and Milano. Doherty acknowledged they clashed frequently due to their contrasting personalities and work ethics.
“Alyssa was very caught up in Alyssa and what Alyssa wanted and what Alyssa needed versus being a team player,” she commented.
Their spat apparently divided the whole cast, including Combs who was closer to Milano but defended Doherty against criticism. At one point Milano’s boyfriend Brian Krause even apologized to Combs for “taking sides.”
| Character | Played By | Relationship with Doherty |
|---|---|---|
| Prue Halliwell | Shannen Doherty | Frequently clashed with Milano on set |
| Piper Halliwell | Holly Marie Combs | Remained loyal to Doherty despite tensions |
| Phoebe Halliwell | Alyssa Milano | Orchestrated campaign to have Doherty fired |
| Leo Wyatt | Brian Krause | Apologized for siding with Milano over Doherty |
What Comes Next for the Embattled Stars?
The latest accusations have put Milano on the defensive, with the actress avoiding directly addressing Doherty’s claims but writing cryptically on social media about “meeting harm with kindness” and overcoming “uncomfortable emotions.”
Meanwhile, the Charmed drama has raised Doherty’s profile ahead of her new podcast launching next month, which will see her reconnect with Combs and other stars from her tumultuous past.
For Milano, maintaining her cultivated public image as an advocate for the #MeToo movement could prove challenging given the emerging narrative of her undermining a female co-worker. Nonetheless, some fans seem unwilling to tarnish their memory of Phoebe Halliwell, disputing that Milano played any role in Doherty’s firing.
Ultimately the likelihood for reconciliation seems low, given Doherty’s characterization of events as “an extremely hard lesson to have to learn.” But the duelling perspectives offered by the once-close cast will undoubtedly captivate and divide Charmed devotees still processing Doherty’s sudden character demise over 20 years later.
Combs Emotionally Recounts Attempted Peace Offering
Beyond merely corroborating claims about Milano’s interference, Combs also shared a tearful story indicating past efforts to bury the hatchet with her sparring co-stars.
She recounted phoning Doherty after getting an apology from Krause years later, seeming to imply Milano was open to making amends. But Combs became too overwhelmed to finish recounting their conversation, underlining the rawness and regret still felt regarding the friendships broken over professional jealousy and ambition.
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