Holly Marie Combs has revealed why she believes her Charmed co-star Shannen Doherty hastily exited the show after season three. On the latest episode of Doherty's podcast “Let's Be Clear,” Combs recalled meeting show producer Jonathan Levin, who she said was forced to choose between Doherty and co-star Alyssa Milano to appear on the hit WB show to stay.
“He said, you know, 'We're basically in a situation where it's one or the other.' We were told [by Alyssa] that it is so [Shannen] “or me, and Alyssa threatened to sue us for a hostile work environment” – and because she went to the therapist, the mediator, or the corporate mediator, whatever his title is, she built a case where She documented every time she felt uncomfortable on set and for whatever reason. While you and I refused to speak to him. So that’s where the deck was stacked,” Combs said.
Doherty's character Prue Halliwell was ultimately killed off in the third season finale, which aired in 2001. Rose McGowan later joined the cast as Paige Matthews.
Combs continued, saying she couldn't remember any “brawls” or “harsh exchanges” between her, Milano and Doherty on the show's set: “I lived for a year afterward replaying it all in my brain and really tried to find these moments. I don't remember ever being mean to her on set.
“As you get older, you accept that a situation happened. “Accepting and moving on with life is not the same as forgiveness,” Combs said. “You just learn a lesson, see someone differently and move on.”