It has been 28 years since Charmed premiered on The WB and introduced viewers to the Halliwell sisters, three witches whose combined powers helped them battle supernatural threats while navigating love, family, and everyday life.
According to Entertainment Weekly, much of the show’s appeal came from the chemistry of the Charmed cast, especially original leads Shannen Doherty, Holly Marie Combs, and Alyssa Milano. When Doherty left after season 3, Rose McGowan joined as long-lost half-sister Paige Matthews, ushering in a new chapter for the series.
The ‘Charmed’ Cast Went on to Very Different Careers
Combs continued acting after playing Piper Halliwell, later appearing on Pretty Little Liars and reuniting with Milano for a 2019 episode of Grey’s Anatomy. She now cohosts the House of Halliwell rewatch podcast with Brian Krause and Drew Fuller, giving longtime fans another way to revisit the series.
Milano, who played Phoebe, went on to roles in My Name Is Earl, Mistresses, and Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later. McGowan, meanwhile, continued working in film and television after her run as Paige, including appearances in Grindhouse, Nip/Tuck, and Conan the Barbarian.
The Show’s Legacy Also Carries Some Bittersweet Memories
The Charmed cast has experienced major losses in recent years. Doherty, who played eldest sister Prue, died from breast cancer in July 2024 at age 53. Before her death, she had returned to the world of the show through House of Halliwell and admitted that rewatching old episodes surprised her because she had rarely watched the series while making it. Julian McMahon, remembered as Phoebe’s complicated love interest Cole Turner, died in 2025 at age 56 after cancer. Before his death, he had spoken warmly about his years on Charmed and expressed interest in returning to the character if a movie ever happened.
Other familiar faces continued building careers far beyond Halliwell Manor. Brian Krause, who played Leo Wyatt, remained active in television and now helps host the rewatch podcast. Drew Fuller later starred on Army Wives, while Kaley Cuoco transformed her one-season role as Billie Jenkins into a springboard toward major success on The Big Bang Theory, The Flight Attendant, and other projects. Nearly three decades after the series began, the magic of Charmed still rests heavily on the relationships viewers formed with its characters. The actors moved in very different directions after the finale, but the show’s mix of sisterhood, romance, and supernatural drama continues to keep Halliwell Manor alive for nostalgic fans.