TV

That ‘Charmed’ Reboot Is Finally Confirmed! (But It Might Not Be What You Wanted)

"We wish them well" - Holly Marie Combs

by Meg Watson  6 January 2017

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It’s official! After years of speculation, excitement and conflicted hair-pulling at the idea of yet another beloved ’90s/’00s TV show being wrenched from its sacred resting place and thrown into the whirl of comforting yet confusing nostalgia in which we now live our lives, we have confirmation. Charmed is coming back.

Please enjoy two-three minutes of angsty dancing to the theme song. I don’t care what you’re doing right now, it’ll make your day infinitely better.

Unfortunately the new series might not be exactly what you were dreaming of. Charmed will be returning to The CW as a reimagining starring an all new cast. The series will be set in 1976 where a trio of witches fight evil in a small New England Town. It’s linked to the original in some way, though it’s not yet clear how.

TVLine report the new characters will include a “whip-smart” yet shy African American witch named Tina, a “curvy and wholesome” witch named Paige, and a “quick to anger” witch named Annie (the latter of whom are white). The show will also be headed up by some of the team behind Jane the Virgin. The show will share writers Jessica O’Toole and Amy Rardin, director Brad Silberling, and the production will be led by showrunner Jennie Snyder Urman.

Though the crew is solid and the new cast is a step forward in terms of diversity, it’s not enough to satisfy many fans who’ve been looking forward to the original characters reuniting.

The idea of a reboot has been teased many times before this. Back in 2013, a reimagining from Party of Five‘s Chris Keyser was slammed as “too soon” and “lame” by both fans and original cast. Then Alyssa Milano, Holly Marie Combs and Shannen Doherty suggested the prospect of a movie. Then, just last year, Milano added pressure onto CBS publicly declaring the cast were all “totally on board” for anything they were developing.

Neither Rose McGowan and Shannen Doherty (who is currently undergoing treatment for breast cancer) have commented on the news today, but the other original witches seem a bit more diplomatic than in past statements.

Whether you’re on board or not, this weekend seems like a good time to revisit the original series.