Shannen Doherty's Legacy: A "Charmed" Feud

Shannen Doherty's time on the hit TV series "Charmed" was often overshadowed by a public feud with her co-star Alyssa Milano. While Doherty, who sadly passed away from breast cancer at 53, is remembered for her roles in "Beverly Hills, 90210" and "Charmed," her departure from the latter was shrouded in controversy.

Doherty, Milano, and Holly Marie Combs played the powerful Halliwell sisters, who were witches. After three seasons, Doherty exited the show, with reports suggesting tension with Milano as the primary reason.

Years later, Doherty addressed the feud on her podcast "Let's Be Clear," openly stating her belief that Milano was "competitive" and had created a "weird divide" between her and Combs. Milano herself acknowledged the tension, revealing instances of silent animosity on set. "There were times when I’d come in and say, ‘Good morning, Shannen,’ and she didn’t say anything to me," Milano revealed. "And there were times when she’d come in and say, ‘Good morning, Alyssa,’ and I wouldn’t say anything to her.” A mediator was reportedly brought in to attempt to mend the relationship.

In 2021, Doherty alluded to the drama surrounding her departure, stating that "There was too much drama on the set and not enough passion for the work." While she didn't directly name Milano, she expressed affection for Combs, saying, "That’s really the only thing I want to clear up. She is one of my best friends and I love her dearly. And there were never, ever, ever any problems between the two of us."

Combs, speaking on Doherty's podcast, claimed that Milano had her co-star fired after delivering an "ultimatum" to producers. Milano vehemently denied these claims, expressing sadness that the show's legacy had been tainted by lingering negativity.

Doherty, in her podcast, refuted any suggestion that she had been hostile on set. "I lived a year after that sort of replaying everything in my brain and really trying to find those moments – and I couldn’t find them. I don’t ever remember being mean to [Milano] on set.”

Despite the public feud, Milano had asked her "Charmed" co-stars to be bridesmaids at her wedding in 1999, suggesting there was a period of genuine camaraderie between the three actresses.

The "Charmed" feud remains a lingering point of contention, with contrasting accounts from the involved parties. Despite Doherty's passing, the truth of what transpired on set continues to be a topic of debate among fans. While the show itself remains a cherished piece of television history, the drama surrounding its cast members, sadly, continues to overshadow their contributions to the series.