Despite playing on-screen sisters on Charmed, Shannen Doherty and Alyssa Milano had a strained relationship, marked by personality clashes and on-set drama. Tragically, Shannen Doherty passed away on July 13th after a long battle with cancer. In a surprising turn, her heartfelt praise for her former co-star, Milano, has gone viral following her death.
The Decades-Long Feud
Initially, Doherty and Milano got along well. Doherty even served as a bridesmaid at Milano’s wedding, alongside their co-star, Holly Marie Combs. In a 1999 interview with US Weekly, Milano expressed feeling “incredibly lucky” to have found such close friends.
However, their camaraderie started to fade on the sets of Charmed, which premiered in 1998 and ran for eight successful seasons. Personality clashes and differing work approaches led to tension. Doherty, who played Prue Halliwell, left the show after its third season. Before Doherty’s passing, Combs claimed Milano was responsible for Doherty’s exit.
“We were told [by Alyssa] it’s her or [Shannen] and Alyssa has threatened to sue us for a hostile workplace environment,” Combs said on Doherty’s Let’s Be Clear podcast. Milano publicly acknowledged their complicated relationship and addressed Combs’s statement on Instagram.
Shannen Doherty’s Praise for Alyssa Milano
Despite their tumultuous relationship, Doherty expressed admiration for Milano before her death, a gesture that has since gone viral. During a chat on Combs’s The House of Halliwell podcast, Doherty revealed that Lori Rom originally filmed an unaired pilot of Charmed before Milano took over the role of Phoebe Halliwell.
“Lori’s performance was different than Alyssa’s. Lori was a lot like Holly and I in the sense of [being] very grounded in drama,” Doherty explained. “When Alyssa came in, it provided a levity that I think the show ended up needing. She did a great job and brought a slightly different flavor to the show.”
These kind words were among Doherty’s last for Milano, who later reacted to Doherty’s passing. Milano told Page Six that despite their complicated relationship, she had deep respect and admiration for Doherty. “She was a talented actress, beloved by many, and the world is less without her. My condolences to all who loved her,” Milano added.
The relationship between Shannen Doherty and Alyssa Milano was marked by highs and lows, but ultimately, it was one of mutual respect and professional admiration. Doherty’s kind words and Milano’s heartfelt response serve as a poignant reminder of the complexity and depth of their connection, both on and off-screen.
