Jennie Snyder Urman says it would be “great” if the cast from the original ‘Charmed’ would appear on the reboot but admits “We have not tried yet” to contact them. Urman is one of the creators of the new version, which has caused some controversy, in particular when original star Holly Marie Combs lambasted the reboot on social media. On Twitter, she wrote “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.”
The new ‘Charmed’ focuses on three new sisters, Mel (Melonie Diaz), Maggie (Sarah Jeffery) and Macy (Madeleine Mantock). Those stars reacted to the negativity that surrounded the reboot at first.
Said Diaz:
“There’s also been a lot of positive stuff coming out and I think we’ve collectively made a decision to focus on that.”
Jeffrey added:
“We feel really lucky to be telling this story at this time. We understand [the backlash], it’s such a sacred thing to so many people and so many passionate fans. We’re really gracious and grateful and excited.”
Mantock stated:
“We can’t help but be a little disappointed. I think the script is fantastic, and I really hope maybe [Holly will] see it and like it, but [the original show] was a large part of her life and she’s entitled to feel however she wants.”
The CW president Mark Pedowitz also stated “We wanted a different Charmed… [The original was] a great show for that time and place… [I hope] people will come and watch [the reboot] and give a chance.”
Executive producer Jessica O’Toole discussed the original, saying:
“That show wrapped everything up so wonderfully. They all got their happy endings, and there were even glimpses of their future. We felt like it told a complete story.”
The original ‘Charmed’ starred Combs, Alyssa Milano and originally Shannon Doherty, replaced by Rose McGowan in the third season. Among the other differences addressed was the decision to eliminate the rhyming incantations (“Something about the rhyming that felt like it belonged to [the original] show,” Urman explained). And obviously, the leads of the new show are women of color, which is something the new show will explore. Urman stated “We want to explore their unique heritage and the way their different cultures intersect with witchcraft.”
There’s not much longer to wait to see how the new ‘Charmed’ turns out. Hopefully, viewers will tune in and judge the new series based on its own merits.
The new ‘Charmed’ series will premiere on The CW Sunday, October 14, at 9 p.m. ET.
Source: Deadline
