Shannen Doherty and Alyssa Milano’s past Drama in ‘Charmed’ – Why Did She Leave the Series?

Shannen Doherty and Alyssa Milano co-starred for three seasons in “Charmed” as sisters Prue Halliwell and Phoebe Halliwell. At the end of season three, Shannen Doherty left the show because she said there was too much drama, and they killed off her character.

In March 2015, Shannen Doherty was first diagnosed with invasive breast cancer and underwent a single mastectomy in May 2016. In 2017, she went into remission but revealed in early 2020 that the cancer was back.

The “Charmed” actress revealed that her cancer had returned as stage 4 cancer. Shannen Doherty updated her followers on her experiences and progress throughout her medical journey. Still, when it came to this news, she said she initially tried to keep it quiet.

Portrait of Shannen Doherty at the 2019 Hero Dog Awards on October 05, 2019 | Source: Getty Images

Now, Doherty has learned to open up about living with cancer and has no plans to back down anytime soon. The actress, who does not want to make a bucket list, said:

“I never want to operate [like I’m dying], I just want to operate as I don’t have things to check off because I’m going to keep fighting to stay alive.”

She also never complains about having cancer because she has accepted it as a part of life. In recent times, Doherty said she feels it’s her responsibility in her more public life to talk about cancer and educate people more.

WHY SHANNEN DOHERTY LEFT THE CHARMED SERIES

Doherty started her acting career as a child and appeared in several TV shows like “Little House on the Prairie.” She rose to fame when she starred in “Beverly Hills, 90210” where she spent only four seasons as Brenda Walsh.

She was seen as a difficult actor to work with, partied too much, was often late to set, and was known for fueling feuds with her castmates. Her “Beverly Hills, 90210” co-star Jennie Garth revealed that they sometimes loved each other, and at other times, they disliked each other.

Shannen Doherty as Prue Halliwell, Holly Marie Combs as Piper Halliwell, and Alyssa Milano as Phoebe Halliwell on the set of “Charmed” on January 19, 1999 | Source: Getty Images

When Doherty starred in “Charmed,” she and her co-star Milano, who were initially friends, had a falling out. She reportedly stopped talking to Milano, making Milano ask the producers to fire Doherty.

However, the producers never got around to firing her as Doherty heard about Milano’s plans and decided to quit the series on her terms. Doherty even directed the last episode where they killed off her character.

After years of tension between the two actresses, Milano revealed in 2021 that their relationship had become cordial, and she took responsibility for some of their issues. When Doherty had her first diagnosis, Milano reached out to her, and she said:

“When I heard about her diagnosis, I reached out to her. And I will send her DMs every couple of months to just check in. I have respect for her. […] I just wish I could’ve felt strong enough in who I was to recognize that back then.”

SHANNEN DOHERTY’S STAGE 4 CANCER DOESN’T STOP HER FROM WORKING

Despite her diagnosis, Doherty is not taking a break from work as she wants to prove to Hollywood that people with cancer are employable and can work. She said:

“So for me, I’m just trying to live the best I can, to be the best example at this moment.”

Living with stage 4 cancer means there is no cure for Doherty, but she can find available treatments, and she has to live with it for the rest of her life. While she’s not detailing her every experience to her fans, she keeps them updated.

Doherty, who loves working with actors, also loves directing. She said she is a total nerd in lighting, lenses, and cameras because she loves creating a mood and a tone. She also revealed that she’s probably at her absolute happiest when directing.

However, convincing employers to hire her has not always been easy. Doherty further stated that having stage 4 cancer does not mean that it’s the end of life, nor does it mean that one is not helpful in the workplace.

DOES SHE HAVE CHILDREN?

Doherty does not have any children, and shortly before her surgery in 2016, she revealed that she could no longer have children because of the treatment she was undergoing.

The actress and her photographer husband, Kurt Iswarienko, wanted children, but her medications had prevented her from getting pregnant.

Anomama