SEASON FOUR NEWS

This page will cover general season four news, such as casting, while more detailed spoilers will be covered on a spoiler-specific page.

CHARMED TURNS A NEW PAIGE

20.06.2001 - With Rose McGowan in place to join the cast of The WB's Charmed, following the departure of Shannen Doherty, the main challenge facing executive producer Brad Kern and his staff is explaining it all in a way that makes sense.

Doherty's character Prue Halliwell, the eldest of a trio of sister witches living in San Francisco, apparently did not survive the series' cataclysmic third-season finale.  And when your series' premise rests on there being three "Charmed Ones," that's a gap that must be filled.

Enter Paige Halliwell - the long-lost younger half-sister of surviving siblings Piper (Holly Marie Combs) and Phoebe (Alyssa Milano).  Kern plans either a two-part season premiere or a two-hour single episode, to air in late September, to explain the new character, the secret daughter of the sisters' mother and her illicit lover, a "White Lighter" (magical protectors that look after good witches).

Piper herself fell for her White Lighter, Leo (Brian Krause), but her mother's affair was expressly forbidden, and the child that came of it had to be hidden away.

"From Paige's point of view," says Kern, "you go to bed one night, and you think you're a single child, and no one understands you.  Then you wake up the next morning, and you find out you've got sisters who are witches, who've got supernatural powers, who have a destiny that you must now share and embrace, and you must learn your new powers."

"It won't be a coincidence that she was named with a name that starts with a 'P', like her sisters."

According to Kern, Paige's newly emerged power resembles Prue's ability to move objects with her mind, but because her father was a White Lighter, she will have other abilities as well.

"When we meet her," says Kern, "she will have been searching for many years, both for her birth parents, but also for an answer to that feeling that she's had inside of her that there's something special, there's something else that nobody has yet been able to understand and explain."

"We hope to tap into that.  It's also organic to the character.  She brings a lot of energy and enthusiasm to a grieving family.  That's going to help us be able to honestly deal with the death of Prue, as well as being able to keep the fun of the show.  Here comes Paige, who suddenly has all these powers and thinks it's pretty cool."

McGowan, who has acted primarily in independent films, was high on a short list of actresses considered for the part.

"Our personal hope was to find somebody that would be of Shannen's calibre," says Kern, "that would have the sexiness, the edge and the range.  That, for the age range we were looking for, is hard to find."

"We said, 'We don't want somebody conventional.  We don't want a shrinking violet.  We don't want just another pretty face that smiles and has great teeth.  We want somebody who has an attitude."

"I think Rose definitely has an attitude, and that's an energy that we can take advantage of for the betterment of the show."

Kern says the changeover has also reenergized the writing staff, which now faces a fresh set of challenges and story opportunities.

"Paige's character gives us an opportunity to force (the other sisters) into their future, rather than dwelling on the past.  What could have been a concern has turned into an opportunity."

"Luck has to play a part in it, and I think that's why they call the show Charmed."

Source: zap2it.com.  Thanks to Richard Morgan.  Back to the top

ROSE McGOWAN'S LIVING A CHARMED LIFE

27.06.01 - Further to the above story, here's what The WB itself had to say about Rose McGowan joining the cast.

Feature film star Rose McGowan joins the cast of Charmed

Rose McGowan, who catapulted to stardom as a sexy victim in Scream, will join Alyssa Milano and Holly Marie Combs as the newest bewitching sister on Charmed, it was announced today by Jordan Levin, Co-President, Entertainment of The WB.

"Both Alyssa and Holly Marie have set a high bar," said Mr. Levin.  "In searching for the third member of the ensemble, we are truly fortunate to have the opportunity to work with Rose McGowan and believe she will bring a new and different dynamic to Charmed."

Best known for playing vixens, McGowan left an indelible impression on audiences as a sexy scream queen flattened by a garage door in Wes Craven's Scream.  She began her career starring in the edgy independent feature film The Doom Generation by controversial director Gregg Araki, for which she earned an Independent Spirit Award nomination.  She has also starred on the big screen in the dark high school comedy Jawbreaker, Monkeybone and Ready to Rumble.

McGowan will play a long-lost sister to Phoebe (Milano) and Piper (Combs), and will be introduced when the series begins its fourth season this fall.  Charmed is a supernatural one-hour drama from Spelling Television airing on The WB Thursdays at 9.00pm ET.  The series chronicles the conflicts between vastly different sisters as they come together against the otherworldly backdrop of an ancient prophecy of witchcraft.

Aaron Spelling and E. Duke Vincent (7th Heaven, Beverly Hills 90210, Melrose Place) serve as executive producers along with Brad Kern (Hill Street Blues, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, New York Undercover).  Back to the top

CHARMED GOES TO ENGLUND

30.08.01 - Robert Englund, best known as the knife-fingered Freddy Krueger in the Nightmare on Elm Street films, is making a guest appearance in the third episode of season four.

In Size Matters, Englund again dons prosthetic makeup - on half of his face - to play the demon Gammill, who squares off against Piper, Phoebe and Paige.

Season four returns to The WB on Thursday 27 September with a two-hour episode that deals with Prue's death.

Source: zap2it.com.  Back to the top

CHARMED CHANGES

07.09.01 - Alyssa Milano on how the arrival of Rose McGowan has affected the show:

Obviously Charmed will be different this year with the departure of Shannen Doherty, do you think Charmed will go in a different direction this year?

I think Charmed will have to go in a different direction this year because the dynamics have shifted.  Phoebe is no longer the youngest she has become the midddle child.

Rose McGowan will certainly bring new energy to Charmed but how will Phoebe react to having a new sister?

I think at first Phoebe is hesitant but then realises it is the only way to reconstitute the "Charmed Ones".  She considers it a challenge to teach Paige all the different aspects of being a good witch and eventually accepts her as a sister and a sister witch.

What can the fan expect Rose to bring to the series?

I think Rose will bring an edge to the series.

Has Rose been subject to any special hazing rituals as the new actor on the series?

Not specifically, but doing all the greenscreen work and stunts is a whole new thing for her.  That stuff alone can be a bit torturous.

With the departure of her older sister, how do you see Phoebe growing this year?

Well, again she is now the middle sister.  She looks at Paige and can relate to everything that Paige is going through.  Phoebe will try to guide Paige the way Prue tried to guide Phoebe.  Phoebe is forced to take on more responsibility within the family unit.

How do you think Phoebe will react to the loss of Prue?

I think Phoebe is deeply affected by the loss of Prue and perhaps feels like part of her is gone too.  In the first episode Phoebe is a bit in denial and focuses on other things to get her mind off of Prue's death.  She finally does break down and then decides that life does go on and that Prue wouldn't want her to mourn for the rest of her life and that she must continue to protect the innocent.

Phoebe has always been the laid back sister, do you think the tragedy will result in her becoming more responsible and getting a job?

In the third episode of the season she goes for a job interview and doesn't get the job because she can't explain why she needs flexible hours to the boss.  Phoebe can't very well tell her it's to fight demons and save innocent people.  Back to the top

CHARMED AGAIN PICS

14.09.01 - Cinescape Online has some pics of season four opener, Charmed Again, including Alyssa showing off her cleavage, Holly looking great as usual and new Charmed babe Rose McGowan (right).  They are mostly non-spoilerish, with only one of Paige meeting her sisters giving anything away.  Back to the top

CHARMED AGAIN

19.09.01 - The WB describes season four opener Charmed Again (which airs on 4 October) as follows:

Rose McGowan joins the cast of Charmed - Phoebe (Alyssa Milano) and Piper (Holly Marie Combs) struggle to come to terms with the death of their sister and the realisation that the Power of Three no longer exists without her.  When they discover the existence of their baby half-sister, Paige (Rose McGowan), Phoebe and Piper are hopeful that they can reconstitute the formidable triad of witches, but The Source has a 48-hour window to turn Paige evil forever.  Brian Krause and Julian McMahon also star.  Michael Schultz directed the first hour; Mel Damski directed the second hour.  The episode was written by Brad Kern.

The WB has also released some more promotional pics from the episode:

Paige meets Piper and Phoebe / Paige and Shane (Jordan Bridges) / Shane and Paige / Back to the top

HELL HATH NO FURY

26.09.01 - The WB has released its description of the second episode of the season, due to air on 11 October:

Hell Hath No Fury - New to the witchy world of The Charmed Ones, Paige (Rose McGowan) is learning to control her new telekinetic powers and steals the Book of Shadows from Phoebe (Alyssa Milano) and Piper (Holly Marie Combs) to use the spells for personal gain.  Meanwhile, Piper's inability to deal with her sister's recent death makes her vulnerable to the Furies, female demon vigilantes who lure her into their fold.

Chris Long directed the episode with a script written by Krista Vernoff.  Back to the top

ENTER THE DEMON DETAILS

01.10.01 - The WB has released information on the 18 October episode:

Titled Enter the Demon, the episode finds Paige making a major blunder when carelessly mixing potions for Piper while secretly wishing she could be in Phoebe's shoes training for combat.  Her passing wish comes true when Paige ends up actually switching bodies with Phoebe.  While the two sisters try to reverse the spell and struggle to harness each other's powers, they must battle a Zen Master's powerful disciple who has turned evil against his mentor and opened up a portal between two worlds.

Joel Feigenbaum directed the episode with a script by Daniel Cerone.  Back to the top

HELL HATH NO FURY PICS

07.10.01 - The WB has released some shots from next Thursday's episode, Hell Hath No Fury, which you can find on the Cinescape website (click here).  With possessed Piper (again!), hopefully it'll be a big episode for PP's favourite sister.  Back to the top

SCI-FI'S NEW SEASON PREDICTIONS

08.10.01 - Once again, Sci-Fi Wire has given its verdict on this season's new and returning sci-fi/fantasy shows:

Charmed
The WB, Thursday, 9pm
Premieres Oct. 4

Talk about a cliffhanger.  As the demon Shax apparently killed Prue (Shannen Doherty) and Piper (Holly Marie Combs), Phoebe (Alyssa Milano) looked to be trapped for eternity in the Underworld.  Of course, the real cliffhanger was happening behind the scenes, as Doherty left the show in a very public way.  Unfortunately, they aren't the Charmed Ones without the Power of Three, which means season four will bring a new half-sister into the lives of Piper and Phoebe.  In the two-hour season premiere, Rose McGowan will join the cast as Paige, no doubt fixing the missing sister problem.  However, look for life to be a little more serious for the girls, at least initially, as they attend Prue's funeral.

The Outlook: Charmed remains one of The WB's top-rated series, so look for them to promote it strongly and give it plenty of support.  After losing Buffy, the network doesn't want to see this show go anywhere.  After all, it isn't every show that could take on about the biggest competition possible on the top three networks and come away a winner.  The loss of Doherty may cause a few moments of concern, especially if McGowan doesn't jell with her costars or with the audience.  Mostly likely this won't be a problem.  This supernatural series has found its audience, and it will remain Charmed for another year.  Back to the top

A KNIGHT TO REMEMBER PICTURES

13.10.01 - The WB has released images from the 1 November episode, A Knight To Remember, which can be found here.  Back to the top

BLACK AS COLE DETAILS

29.10.01 - The WB has released details of the 15 November episode, Black As Cole, which apparently features a plethora of story facets including love, marriage, babies and demons.

In the midst of mulling over his marriage proposal, Phoebe (Alyssa Milano) comes face-to-face with Cole's (Julian McMahon) demonic past when a widow tracks him down seeking vengeance for her husband's murder.  Meanwhile, Paige (Rose McGowan) encourages Piper (Holly Marie Combs) and Leo (Brian Krause) to test their readiness to become parents.

Les Landau directed the episode.  The teleplay was written by Brad Kern and Nell Scovell and the story is by Abbey Campbell.  Back to the top

BLACK AS COLE PICS

11.11.01 - Further to the above, The WB has released some pics from Black as Cole.

Click here to see the three sisters enjoying some fresh air and here to see Leo and Phoebe encountering Cole's dark past.  Back to the top

MUSE TO MY EARS

26.11.01 - The WB has released details of the 13 December episode, Muse To My Ears.

Phoebe, Paige and Piper must stop Warlocks who are enslaving the world's muses to use their divine creative inspiration for evil.  In the midst of the assault, Cole becomes testy about Phoebe's rebuffing his marriage proposal and is concerned that without his demonic powers he can no longer protect the love of his life.

Joel Feigenbaum directed the episode written by Krista Vernoff.  Back to the top

WANDA SPOILERS

15.01.02 - From yesterday's Wanda chat on E! Online:

In episode 15, Cole and Phoebe get married, but it appears that Cole is hiding a dark side from her.  A character called the Seer is a servant to Cole and mentions that he "inherited the world's evil."  The ceremony erupts in chaos, as a demon servant of Cole's attempts to harm the girls.  Back to the top

LOST AND BOUND

26.01.02 - The WB is describing next Thursday's episode as follows:

When Paige (Rose McGowan) discovers that a 10-year-old runaway (guest star Alex Black) is a firestarter, she whisks him to the Manor for safekeeping.  The gang soon discovers that his foster parents are, in fact, demon bounty hunters, so they protect him while trying to teach him how to use his powers for good rather than evil.  Meanwhile, Cole (Julian McMahon) officially proposes to Phoebe (Alyssa Milano) using her grandmother's ring - only to discover that the ring is cursed and turns her into the perfect 1950s housewife.  Holly Marie Combs and Brian Krause also star.  Noel Nosseck directed the episode written by Nell Scovell.  Back to the top

COOLIO GETS CHARMED

16.02.02 - Coolio will be playing for the dark side when he guest stars on Charmed this March, putting a kink in Cole and Phoebe's upcoming nuptials, reports Zap2it.com.

The rapper/actor will play a demon called Lazarus who crashes the couple's wedding in the episode Marry Go-Round.

The wedding is ruined when The Source takes over the groom and sabotages the ceremony by inviting Lazarus in order to orchestrate a demonic union that will allow the couple's foretold son to become heir to the unworld.

The Grammy-winning singer has guest starred on a number of shows, including Sabrina the Teenage Witch, VIP, The Nanny and recently won the first celebrity edition of NBC's Fear Factor.  His film credits include Batman & Robin, Tyrone, Shriek If You Know What I Did Last Friday the 13th, Perfume and the upcoming Exposed.  Back to the top