Whether we like it or not, Charmed is getting a reboot. But is it really a reboot without Prue, Piper, Phoebe, and Paige? Original fans don’t think so.
On February 7, TV Line announced the casting breakdowns for the Charmed reboot — if you can even call it that — and detailed what the new sisterly trio will be like:
MACY | A witty, intense science nerd, Macy — who is in her late 20s — is a Ph.D. in quantum physics who’s moving with her boyfriend Galvin to Hilltowne, Michigan, to work in the university lab. Macy has reason to believe that she is the sister of Mel and Madison. Her power is telekinesis.
MEL PRUITT | A strong-willed feminist, she feels deeply and is a bit controlling. Mel — who is in her mid 20s and a lesbian — is the sister of Madison. In the wake of a tragic accident, the grieving Mel becomes angry, defiantly unkempt, even violent, pushing away those who might help her, including her girlfriend, Detective Soo Jin. Mel’s power is time-freezing.
MADISON PRUITT | Mel’s younger sister (she’s 18-ish), an athletic (pilates, cheerleading) college student pledging a sorority, Madison is the opposite of her feminist sister with a desire to fit in. Madison is horrified to learn she is a witch. Her power is hearing people’s thoughts.
The problem with doing a reboot is that fans of the original will be upset if it’s exactly the same (“Just watch the original!”) or if it’s too different (“Why are you even calling this a reboot??”). I’m in exactly that same place right now, and the only way to feel marginally better about this casting announcement is to write about it.
On the one hand, I do love the “LGBT twist,” as TV Line called it. I also love the idea that they’re looking for all ethnicities to portray the three sisters. Diversity was not a particularly strong suit for the original show, and seeing this more modernized version will better reflect real life.
But these are not the Charmed sisters. Their names are not Prue, Piper, and Phoebe, but Macy, Mel, and Madison. Their last names are not Halliwell, but Pruitt. The middle sister wasn’t the controlling one — the older one was. The youngest sister’s power wasn’t reading people’s thoughts, but premonition.
This doesn’t feel like Charmed because it isn’t Charmed.
And to be completely honest, I probably would like this show if it wasn’t trying to capitalize on the Charmed brand. I love that Macy is a science nerd with a Ph.D. I love that Mel is a lesbian. I also love that Madison will likely have an empowering arc where she learns to accept her strength as a woman as well as her strength as a witch.
But taking on the Charmed name and making the three sisters have alliterative names is the only thing this reboot has in common with the original. Why not just call it something else, scratch the names, and give us a new, original show about female empowerment that also happens to feature witchcraft? That’s what the original Charmed stood for anyway.
In case you’re wondering if I’m the only one who feels this way, I’m not. Check out reactions to this news from Holly Marie Combs (Piper) and a myriad of original fans:
I have no words……. I mean I have a lot of words but at this juncture… sure…… yeah ……… We Wish Them Well ………….. https://t.co/s9mdsZUhLo
— Holly Marie Combs (@H_Combs) February 7, 2018
Oh God. Stop. Please. https://t.co/TaEJrwgSRY
— Charmed Daily (@CharmedDaily) February 7, 2018
I don’t know a single charmed fan who wants this reboot, they need to throw it away
— rachel ? (@harryspvtter) February 7, 2018
OH MY GOD. It’s just horrible ? pic.twitter.com/R89pNnJjmY
— Mrs. Halliwell ✨ (@Charmed_Spain) February 7, 2018
I’m happy there will be lgbt+ representation but..still doesn’t change the fact that they’re unrightfully calling it a “charmed reboot” lmao ?
— abby ◟̽◞̽ (@theagustdream) February 7, 2018
I really do feel this will stain the Original Charmed. This reboot isn't needed. Just reading that article pic.twitter.com/VYoCLTBTs0
— Sarah Louise (@SarahLouise21) February 7, 2018
Original Charmed Ones vs. the already failed reboot pic.twitter.com/wmaHy0816J
— Jaune Darc ?️? (@Jaune_Gaddi) February 7, 2018
I have no words. And why are they still calling it 'charmed' when it has NOTHING to do with it
— Joline #Pompluddshaw❣??| 9 (@JolineHeuer) February 7, 2018
Holly Marie Combs is all of us. #Charmed pic.twitter.com/YfjQ6moyYv
— Charmed_Reunion (@Charmed_Reunion) February 7, 2018
I'm not happy about it. If they had worked with you guys who produced and acted in the orginal maybe! But with the orginal people from the orginal Charmed having zero say….It's NOT Charmed..they should title it "Doomed From The Start".
— Mallory ZombieCat (@MalZombieCat) February 7, 2018
You'd think they'd have learned from the initial responses to the last reboot attempt. Here's what I don't get – the sisters ALL had children. Lots of children and grandchildren. If they were going to "remake" Charmed, why the hell didn't they go there? Even if you couldn't get
— Lex (@beesaremagical) February 7, 2018
Why call it charmed when it is not charmed ?
— ∞Ro ♊? (@McGayTiger) February 7, 2018
We want to hear your thoughts on this topic!
Write a comment below or submit an article to Hypable.