Holly Marie Combs Not Happy With Charmed Reboot

Photo: Frank Ockenfels/Spelling/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock

According to Deadline, The CW has ordered the Charmed reboot to pilot. The new series, which is based on the supernatural drama that ran from 1998 to 2006, will focus on a trio of witches living in a college town as they battle supernatural demons and fight the patriarchy. Yet the "fierce, funny, [and] feminist" show isn't sitting right with everyone — including one member of the original Charmed squad.

Former Charmed actress Holly Marie Combs, who portrayed Piper Halliwell on the series, took to Twitter to speak out against the potential new drama.

"Here’s the thing," Combs wrote on the social media platform. "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."

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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

She also responded to a fan who slammed the Charmed reboot with: "And we wish them well," echoing the same statement she made over a year ago when the series first went into development.

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

It's unclear why Combs isn't particularly happy with this reboot news, though it's possible that it's because it won't include the original cast. (Refinery29 has reached out to Combs for additional comment). It's also possible that it's because she felt The WB didn't ever give the series a proper send-off. In a 2006 interview with Entertainment Weekly about the end of Charmed, the actress revealed that she was annoyed by how the network marketed their final season:

"It’s like, [serenely] Will & Grace is coming to an end. And 7th Heaven is ending its run. And yet Charmed gets axed! The WB never treated us well, so we didn’t expect a lot of farewell wishes and flowers or cards."

Fellow Charmed star Alyssa Milano took to Twitter in March of 2016 to state that a reunion show would not happen if a reboot did.

"With all the reunion shows it seems like #charmed would be a great choice since we have the most loyal and best fans ever," Milano tweeted in response to fans asking if the Halliwell sisters would reunite onscreen.

With all the reunion shows it seems like #charmed would be a great choice since we have the most loyal and best fans ever. But... (Cont.)
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) March 5, 2016

She added:

"I would imagine until CBS makes a decision on their reboot a true reunion type of show will not be happening due to CBS owning the rights."

I would imagine until CBS makes a decision on their reboot a true reunion type of show will not be happening due to CBS owning the rights.?
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) March 5, 2016

Fans had mixed reactions to the CW's pilot order. Some were excited to revisit a world of witchcraft, even without the original cast:

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Listen I love Charmed and the original cast but I also love witches so I’m interested to see what happens with the reboot but I just hope they do a soft reboot of like the bare bones and not the actual halliwells
— tremors (@daisysjohnsns) January 26, 2018

Nothing has gotten me more excited then hearing there is going to be a charmed reboot
— Tamsin (@Tamsin_rhs) January 26, 2018

I was a hardcore Charmed stan but I’m personally ready for a reboot as long as the casting is good. I love shows about witches! I’m excited for this and the Sabrina reboot.
— brooke♡ (@FIopCulture) January 26, 2018

I really don’t understand why y’all want a charmed continuation. I’m so excited it’s a reboot instead!
— Jeff'on (@HesABrickhouse) January 26, 2018

Others, however, were firmly on Combs' side.

That's probably what makes me really mad. That they imply that Charmed wasn't feminist. I wasn't interested in the reboot before, and this ensured that I'm not going to watch it. Ever.
— Vicky (@vickysg1) January 26, 2018

I'm so mad hearing about the #Charmed reboot man, they're going to totally wreck it
Leave the power of three alone
— Alice (@exitshikari) January 26, 2018

Bitch, if Roseanne, Will & Grace,Mad About You can come back. Dead that trash CW reboot and give the girls THAT Netflix revival of Charmed. I want to see the return of Prue Halliwell, give the girls the constitution of the Power of Four. Bring back Cole and Constance too, NO KERN pic.twitter.com/XoyXnDCicU
— Elektra (@TeenSuccubus) December 27, 2017

When I was scared about starting a new school, Charmed helped me get through it, it literally helped me make new friends as we bonded over the show. It always became my go-to place when I was in a bad place. The show had a continuous warmth which the reboot won't do.
— Lucy Jayne Weaver (@LoopyJayneW) January 26, 2018

Should the Charmed reboot go to series, perhaps the original Halliwell sisters will change their tune — after all, is there any reason why we can't have more feminist witches in the world? Hopefully, the new show will do everyone in the original cast proud, despite their reservations.

And hey, as for that reunion — well, Netflix, are you listening? If it can't be Charmed, perhaps the original crew can reunite for a different witchy series.

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