NEWS WATCH: Charmed Reboot New Developments and Fan Backlash

Normally when an iconic show ends, the first thing fans want is of course for it to somehow keep going. After it ends, the next is always some sort of continuation or even a reboot. Charmed fans are learning the age-old lesson, careful what you wish for.

Just days ago, the CW via TV Promos released its official trailer making a proclamation that Charmed is set to return having been straight to order with one full season confirmed. Take a look at the trailer, because if you’re a fan of the original show, it’s pretty shocking.

BACKLASH:
Immediately after the trailer was released, social media exploded with fan reaction. Most criticizing the show, rejecting its direction, and many vowing to completely forgo watching the show as a display of protest. Fans even started the hashtag #StopCharmedReboot on Twitter. Though some viewers applaud the re-envisioned story and the diversity of the main cast, many fans expressed dismay with the casting particularly as to the change in race from Caucasian, feeling that two Latina sisters and an African American is confusing and ultimately pointless.

By and large the remake looks like it may be in trouble before even the first episode airs. So much so that the CW is feeling the heat and has made an official statement in an attempt of what some insiders are calling damage control.

CW president Mark Pedowitz responded to the ill reception, formally recognizing the severity of the situation and fully acknowledging the potential failure of the yet to air remake. Pedowitz went on to say, “Hopefully they would give this new cast a chance. It is not quite the same yet there are many similarities. Hopefully, they will give it a shot. We are happy with who we cast.”

When The CW first announced the Charmed reboot last year the plan was to make it a prequel series to The WB original and set in the 1970s. That plan was quickly scrapped.

This sharp backpedaling came after the initial description from the network read as, “fierce, funny, feminist reboot of the original series-,” which landed the CW on bad footing with fans from the start. Fans derided the network for insinuating that the original series with an all-female lead cast was anything but a strong display of female empowerment, not only through the various storylines centered directly on the sisters but it’s successful run remaining on the air for 8 years as well as a number of achievements. Critics dispute that aside from winning numerous awards, the show was the highest rated Sunday night program for the former WB Network, as well as being one of the highest binged shows on streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, and others, and the longest-running show with an all-female cast until 2012, having been surpassed by only one other series.

ORIGINAL CAST NOT HAPPY:

Devotees of the OG power of three weren’t the only ones who spurned the Network. Each member of the original cast has denounced the reboot with varying degrees of severity. Paramount among them is that none of the former cast or production crew was consulted on the project and levied criticism that the Charmed brand was being used simply for a stamp and an easy launch pad based off what some involved with the show described as a grueling job with little appreciation from CW executives. McGowan has gone so far as to say that work conditions bordered on hostile feeling disrespected by the crew and others at the executive helm.

In 2013, upon initial rumor of CBS resurrecting the series, Alyssa Milano who starred as the empathic Phoebe Halliwell tweeted:

The thing about them doing a #charmed reboot is… it just… it feels like yesterday. It feels too close.
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) October 25, 2013

Since then Milano has not responded further.

Rose Mcgowan, who entered the show upon the departure of Shannon Doherty as Paige Matthews, a long-lost half-sister in 2001 also responded upon learning the same news that Hollywood was lacking in fresh innovation and in McGowan’s signature cheeky fashion described the move as lame.

They really are running out of ideas in Hollywood.
— rose mcgowan (@rosemcgowan) October 25, 2013

lame lame lame lamertons
— rose mcgowan (@rosemcgowan) October 25, 2013

Actress Shannen Doherty who played the eldest sister Prue Halliwell and infamous for her highly publicized departure from not one but two Aaron Spelling series, (first 90210,) offered her own thoughts in a series of tweets after the network attempted to veer away from terms like reboot or remake.

Everything is a remake or a reboot. Every show, every movie in some way. Charmed was a wonderful empowering show for women.
— Shannen Doherty (@DohertyShannen) January 27, 2018

So curious… if it was not a reboot and just was a show about sisters and family dynamics with super natural powers…. thoughts?
— Shannen Doherty (@DohertyShannen) January 27, 2018

Yes that was a bad comment on their part
— Shannen Doherty (@DohertyShannen) January 27, 2018

Im intrigued by the idea that a new generation might be comforted, inspired like all you were. Charmed helped us all in some way
— Shannen Doherty (@DohertyShannen) January 27, 2018

Thank you. I hope they respect the original and listen to you all and make a show that’s inspired by charmed that focuses on what’s important in life.
— Shannen Doherty (@DohertyShannen) January 27, 2018

Yep. You nailed it. Their wording is terrible and a bit offensive. But, everyone makes mistakes. Perhaps with the backlash they will be more thoughtful in future.
— Shannen Doherty (@DohertyShannen) January 27, 2018

Thank you. I love charmed. I also want it to be respected. I’m simply choosing to be constructive about it because negativity has no place in my life.
— Shannen Doherty (@DohertyShannen) January 27, 2018

Yes I addressed this…. very ignorant stupid comment. Perhaps made by a millennial that never watched the show and just read a synopsis on it.
— Shannen Doherty (@DohertyShannen) January 27, 2018

By far and wide the most fierce response was delivered by actress Holly Marie Combs who starred in the series as Piper Halliwell and shredded the network for a variety of criticisms.

While some may not get why I take issue with the network that didn’t want to renew Charmed 12 years ago ‘reimagining’ it now let me just say I understand it perfectly. Also this kinda stuff given all that Rose and Alyssa have done lately…um no. Just No https://t.co/Vp2htLtdbR
— Holly Marie Combs (@H_Combs) January 26, 2018

And another thing. Reboots or remakes, as we used to call them, usually have storylines so similar to the original that they are legally required to use the same title and buy the rights to that title. If it’s not similar than it’s just another show. A new show with a new title.
— Holly Marie Combs (@H_Combs) January 26, 2018

As long as they are not blatantly capitalizing on real life pain and work with total disregard and a shitty marketing pitch. Then ok.
— Holly Marie Combs (@H_Combs) January 31, 2018

Here’s the thing. Until you ask us to rewrite it like Brad Kern did weekly don’t even think of capitalizing on our hard work. Charmed belongs to the 4 of us, our vast amount of writers, crews and predominantly the fans. FYI you will not fool them by owning a title/stamp. So bye.
— Holly Marie Combs (@H_Combs) January 26, 2018

And we wish them well. #Charmed https://t.co/4DM2Jxl9bH
— Holly Marie Combs (@H_Combs) January 26, 2018

NEW CAST URGES FANS FOR A CHANCE:

In a recent interview with Entertainment Tonight, leading cast featuring actresses Melonie Diaz, Sarah Jeffery, and Madeleine Mantock were asked some poiniant questions about the reboot and what sets the show apart from its predecessor.

Madeleine Mantock who plays half-sister Macy Vaughn responded by saying, “I mean I was 8 when they made the original Charmed so I don’t know in terms of comparison, well I guess I would say our show is a really sort of positive, fun, feminist- I remember reading it and thinking oh this is really good representation for young people who like want to be on the right side of history.”

Cast members of Charmed second-generation launch still maintained the networks statement of being a feminist reboot more so than the original but attempted to make an effort to what appeared to be an acknowledgment to the original show and its legacy.

When questioned if the original cast of Combs, Doherty, Milano, and McGowan would be consulted or welcomed for a cameo appearance in a recent interview with ET, the three visually appeared to shift nervously. Actress Sarah Jeffery who is set to portray Maggie Vera stated, “You really never know, yeah I dunno.”

Actress Valerie Cruz quickly interjected, “I feel like the whole team is so open to any possibility and like we’re open and welcoming so who knows.”

Mantock reaffirmed that “though it’s a reboot it’s a totally new show.” but that she would welcome the opportunity.

Charmed will air Sundays at 9/8 central time on The CW with the air date yet to be determined.

As always, we’ll be watching!