It’s official. The CW has ordered a pilot for the highly anticipated Charmed reboot.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, the updated series will deliver a much more progressive message than the original 1998 show, as it is described as a “fierce, funny, feminist reboot” that focuses on a new trio of modern-day sisters. The script was penned by Jane the Virgin writers Jessica O'Toole and Amy Rardin, with Brad Silberling attached as the director and Jennie Urman serving as executive producer.
THR points out that the CW attempted to revive Charmed last season, when it ordered a reboot that was supposed to take place in the 1970s; however, the “prequel” concept was eventually scrapped in the summer of 2017.
“It's in redevelopment,” CW's president Mark Pedowitz said during the TCA Press Tour last year. “We're waiting to see Jennie Urman wants to come back with. She's busy with Jane right now…it's early in the development process, but we're redeveloping it and hopefully it will come out.”
The revised reboot will center on three sisters living in a college town while they simultaneously discover their supernatural powers. “Between vanquishing supernatural demons, tearing down the patriarchy, and maintaining familial bonds, a witch's work is never done.”
The fact that this iteration will be set in the present day makes it much more likely that members of the original cast will make an appearance. Alyssa Milano, Holly Marie Combs, and Shannen Doherty starred as the Halliwell sisters in the first three seasons; Rose McGowan, who played the half-sister, joined the cast in the fourth season after Doherty’s departure.
Nearly four months ago, Doherty shot down rumors that Charmed would return to the small screen.
“It's not happening," Doherty told THR back in October. “I mean, I just don't ever foresee it happening now. It would be far too soon, but I also don't think you need the original cast for a reboot. I know our fans really want us back, but who knows? We were basically a reboot of Practical Magic in its own way, so they could redo it, but now it should just rest.”
