Holly Marie Combs and Rose McGowan remember Shannen Doherty and the Charmed legacy at FANEXPO Chicago 2024

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Holly Marie Combs and Rose McGowan remember Shannen Doherty and the Charmed legacy at FANEXPO Chicago 2024

As a fan who has watched the magical journey of the Charmed sisters unfold over the years, I can’t help but feel a deep sense of admiration and respect for Rose McGowan and Holly Marie Combs. Their experiences on the set of Charmed, spanning two decades, have not only shaped their careers but also their lives in ways that are truly inspiring.

As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but be thrilled about conventions! They offer an incredible opportunity for us to connect with our beloved celebrities, gain insights into their unique personalities, and get a sneak peek at what makes their projects truly stand out. Plus, it’s the perfect platform for us to celebrate some of our all-time favorite shows and movies together!

It’s great news that FANEXPO Chicago 2024 hosted a reunion for the cast of Charmed! In attendance were Holly Marie Combs, who portrayed Piper Halliwell, and Rose McGowan, known for her role as Paige Halliwell. They met fans by signing autographs, taking photos, and even participated in a special panel discussion. What a fantastic opportunity for fans of the popular show!

At the convention, Holly and Rose discussed the late Shannen Doherty, shared some of their favorite memories from the show, and talked about the enduring impact of Charmed. Even though you weren’t there, we bring you the key points from their delightful panel discussion.

Remembering Shannen Doherty

As a longtime fan of Charmed, I was deeply saddened to learn that Shannen Doherty, who brought Prue Halliwell to life, had passed away this year. I have fond memories of watching her on TV and admiring her strong portrayal of the eldest sister. It’s heartbreaking to know that she fought a long battle against cancer before leaving us too soon. I can only imagine the impact her loss has had on her family, friends, and fellow cast members. Rest in peace, Shannen Doherty, and thank you for the memories you created as Prue Halliwell.

Well, I’m angry right now so you don’t wanna ask. I’m at the anger part in the grieving stage. Because at the moment, I’m really mad at her. Which is completely illogical, but it’s gonna happen anyway. I think she did really want to be here [at the con] and she did really enjoy meeting people and I’m glad she got to be with us for the last year doing these shows, because it meant a lot to her. And I think, you know, people have heard me say this before, but she was so in love with the show and her character and the family that it created on screen and off.

At the recent gathering, it was just Rose and Shannen, sans Holly. They seized the opportunity to bond further, dined out, and chatted until nearly 2 a.m. It’s all in good fun that Holly feels a tinge of jealousy about their solo adventure. Rose even read a letter meant for Holly. Check out the video above (*Language Warning).

The great place between life and death is a lonely fog. I’m so sorry, sweetheart. Being lost between the worlds is no bueno. Heart with you, sending you strength. You will get out of the fog. It just takes a long time, unfortunately. The greater the love, the greater the fog. Look for the rays of sun in your life. Crawl across glass on bloody knees to get there to the other side. Grief takes deep, freaky courage, which I know you can muster. I know you are tired. Navigating while having to attend the responsibilities in life and animals can build a strange anger when you just want the world to stop so you can catch your breath. But this is what will keep you alive. Keep going. You are alive. It’s okay that you get to live. You are allowed. But it f-ing sucks, and it will f-ing suck until it f-ing sucks a little less. I’m always with you my sister. I am here. Ever yours, R.

The legacy of Charmed

  • Rose and Holly talk about the sister dynamic on the series. In real life, Rose is the oldest of her siblings while Holly is an only child. It was interesting for them to play the youngest, the middle and the oldest, respectively, on the show that was different from real life.
  • Charmed has stuck with people, to this day. So the ladies were asked about what it’s like to have that standing with the audience. Holly: “I mean, it’s really cool. It’s nothing we ever expected to happen because we always felt like the black sheep of the family when it came to the network. But I met a [young] Piper yesterday. She was cute. Cuter than me.” Rose: “I love the word legacy, just as a word and its meaning is very beautiful. And there’s something about magically, pun completely intended, being woven into the fabric of people’s lives. It’s an incredible honor.”
  • Rose liked the message of doing things for no personal gain and there’s consequences to using their powers for that. She thinks that translates to real life as well.

What was a memorable episode for you?

Holly: The last episode stands out the most for me because there was so much happening. I’m really pleased we managed to conclude it as we did, not many shows get that chance. Often they learn about being cancelled too late. But in our case, we knew we were getting cancelled, which allowed us to bring everyone back and finish things off as we wanted to.

Rose: I found the ending of the series to be incredibly touching and fitting. I particularly enjoyed “A Paige from the Past,” it resonated with me personally. I have always appreciated origin stories, and I love when they are presented in a deep, dramatic, and emotional manner. However, what made Charmed truly special was the ability to switch between intense moments and lighthearted humor, like tossing a demon against a wall and making a joke – that’s just our style.

Holly Marie Combs and Rose McGowan remember Shannen Doherty and the Charmed legacy at FANEXPO Chicago 2024

What was the most difficult scene to shoot emotionally and physically?

Holly: I believe everyone is aware of what was the most emotionally challenging for me, which is the incident we’re going to bypass in the [House of Halliwell] podcast. As for the physical challenges, they were always trying to drown me or set me ablaze. They might have hurled me through a wall, perhaps two or three times. It was always physically demanding. When we were younger, we thought we were tough, so we tried to do as many stunts as possible, or as many as they allowed us to. Fortunately, we were in our twenties at the time.

As a dedicated fan, I found maintaining enthusiasm throughout the entire series to be quite a challenge, rather than overcoming obstacles in individual episodes. That’s where my admiration would lie – in the ability to keep up the pace and intensity consistently.

Holly: Working on network TV in Hollywood is extremely demanding because it requires commitment for nearly nine months each year, five days a week, and anywhere from 12 to 14 hours per day, sometimes even up to 18 hours. It’s definitely a challenging job.

What is you favorite power?

Holly: As I said, I’m angry. So blowing up things.

Rose: Time and again, I find myself asking the same question when I board a plane: Why must I endure this flight if I have the ability to orb? My orbing power has always been my favorite. Where is it now?

Are there any specific arcs that you wanted your character to explore more?

Holly: I’m getting a divorce. Don’t worry, I still adore Brian Krause. Everyone seems to be fond of Leo, but remember the character Neighbor Dan? Well, that’s where my heart lies.

Rose: It puzzled me why Paige kept changing jobs. However, I found it fascinating that when I joined the show and on the very first day during the candles scene, they told me, “Now you orb.” I had no idea what that meant, so I was learning alongside Paige. In retrospect, I believe her storylines were quite fitting for her character. The magic school and Avatars could get a bit confusing. If I recall correctly, it would have been more suitable for Paige to work as an animal trainer. There was one episode where a bulldog kept humping her leg while filming. Between takes, the trainer would instruct, “Hump her Harley, hump her.” I remember thinking, “What on earth is happening to me?” [Laughs]

If you’re keen on watching more videos featuring Charmed cast members Holly Marie Combs and Rose McGowan from FANEXPOChicago, don’t forget to check out our Twitter page for the full collection!

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2024-08-20 16:53