Alyssa Milano Breaks Her Silence, Denies Getting Shannen Doherty Fired From Charmed: ‘I Did Not Have the Power’
Alyssa Milano is speaking out about a recent episode of Shannen Doherty’s podcast in which Doherty and fellow Charmed co-star Holly Marie Combs alleged that Milano fostered a toxic work environment and ultimately got Doherty fired from the show in 2001.
“This was so long ago that any retelling of these stories from anyone is just revisionist history,” Milano says of her former co-stars’ lengthy discussion (click here for a recap), offering “peace and light” to all of the show’s leading ladies. She even names Rose McGowan, who did not appear on Doherty’s podcast but has previously accused Milano of on-set misbehavior.
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She also definitively states: “I did not have the power to get anyone fired.”
Milano’s comments come after she appeared on a panel at MegaCon Orlando on Friday during which she was asked about her experience working on the supernatural drama. Her Instagram post includes a full transcript of what she said on the panel, but she adds far more in her caption:
“I don’t know one other show that has had the success that Charmed had where the cast still speaks ill of the experience a quarter of a century later,” she writes. “This is 15 movies and 13 TV shows ago for me. This was 11 years before my 15 year marriage and 13 years before having my first child. This was so long ago that any retelling of these stories from anyone is just revisionist history.”
She continues: “I will add, though, with absolute certainty—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. 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 five more successful seasons and I am forever grateful.”
“As always, I wish Holly, Shannen and Rose, peace and light in their personal and professional journeys,” the message concludes. “We all have bigger demons to fight.”
In the podcast, Combs recalled a meeting she had with a Charmed producer shortly after she learned that actresses were being sought out to replace Doherty. (McGowan was eventually cast as long-lost fourth sister Paige.) “We’ve been backed into this corner,” the producer allegedly told her. “We’re basically in a position where it’s one or the other. We were told that it’s her or me. Alyssa has threatened to sue us for a hostile workplace environment.”
See Milano’s full Instagram post, including a transcript of her comments from MegaCon Orlando, below:
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