Alyssa Milano gave an update on her relationship with Shannen Doherty after years of tension between the former Charmed co-stars.
The 48-year-old actress explained that relations between the two had improved over the years and reflected on their dynamic while filming the hit WB series.
‘I would say we are cordial,’ Alyssa told Entertainment Tonight on Tuesday.
Update: Alyssa Milano gave an update on her relationship with Shannen Doherty after years of tensions between the former Charmed co-stars. Seen in September 2021
She continued, ‘You know, I could take responsibility for a lot of our tension that we had.
‘I think a lot of our struggle came from feeling that I was in competition rather than it being that sisterhood that the show was so much about. And I have some guilt about my part in that.’
The Pretty Little Liars alum shared that she contacted her former co-star when Shannen, 50, was diagnosed with cancer in 2015. Alyssa said, ‘When I heard about her diagnosis, I reached out to her.’
Cordial: The 48-year-old actress explained that relations between the two had improved over the years and reflected on their dynamic while filming the hit WB series. Seen in 2019
‘And I will send her DMs every couple of months to just check in.’
The activist added, ‘I have respect for her. Great actress, loves her family so much, and I just wish I could’ve felt strong enough in who I was to recognize that back then.’
Charmed debuted in 1998 and ran for eight seasons. It starred Alyssa, Shannen and Holly Marie Combs as three sisters who were extremely powerful witches known as The Charmed ones.
Back then: Charmed debuted in 1998 and ran for eight seasons. It starred Alyssa, Shannen and Holly Marie Combs as three sisters who were extremely powerful witches known as The Charmed ones. Seen in 1999
The supernatural fantasy drama followed the sisters’ lives as they protected the innocent against evil. In 2001, the Mallrats actress left the show after three seasons when her character was killed off.
Though several characters who died on the show returned for guest appearances, Shannen never reprised her role.
In a 2001 interview with Entertainment Tonight, the Beverly Hills 90210 star explained why she decided to exit the series.
‘There was too much drama on the set and not enough passion for the work,’ she said. ‘You know, I’m 30 years old and I don’t have time for drama in my life anymore. To me it’s sort of whatever.’
The Heathers star went on to say, ‘I want to work with actors who really, really care and that want to be there every single day.’ The Tennessee clarified she was not referring to her longtime friend Holly.
Reaching out: The Pretty Little Liars alum shared that she contacted her former co-star when Shannen, 50, was diagnosed with cancer in 2015
‘I don’t want to work with people who bitch about their job and complain about it and say that they hate it or anything else.’
In a 2013 interview on Watch What Happens Live! With Andy Cohen, Alyssa likened the experience of working on the set to being in ‘high school.’
‘Holly and Shannen were best friends for like 10 years before the show started, so it was very much sort of like high school,’ she told Cohen, 53. ‘I would hope that in our thirties it wouldn’t be like that anymore.’
‘High school is over,’ the talk show host replied with a laugh.
‘I never went to a high school because I was tutored on the set, but I imagine it would have been a lot like that,’ the Who’s the Boss? star said.
Speaking out: Holly responded to Alyssa’s comments that working on Charmed was like ‘high school,’ saying, ‘Working on Charmed was nothing like high school. I went to high school. It was a very important job to me and always will be.’ Seen in 2016
Alyssa also weighed in on Shannen’s departure, saying, ‘We never really found out what happened.
‘I can tell you that we were on the air with her for three years, and there were definitely some rough days.’
Holly, now 47, and Shannen both responded to Alyssa’s comments on Twitter. Holly wrote, ‘Working on Charmed was nothing like high school. I went to high school. It was a very important job to me and always will be.’
Shannen commented on her co-star’s post, saying, ‘Yeah, agreed, considering it helped me support my family and pay for my dad’s medical issues, but everyone has their opinion and views.’
Exit: Shannen left the show after three seasons and never reprised her role