Charmed
Charmed is an American fantasy drama television series created by Constance M. Burge that originally aired on The WB from October 7, 1998, to May 21, 2006, spanning eight seasons and 178 episodes.[1][2] The series follows the Halliwell sisters—Prue, Piper, and Phoebe—who reunite in their ancestral home in San Francisco after their grandmother's death and discover they are descendants of a long line of powerful witches known as the Charmed Ones, destined to use their combined "Power of Three" to battle demons, warlocks, and other supernatural evils while protecting innocents and maintaining their secret identities.[3][4] The narrative centers on the sisters' individual magical abilities—Prue's telekinesis and astral projection, Piper's molecular immobilization and combustion, and Phoebe's premonitions and levitation—which become most potent when used together, allowing them to vanquish threats that no single witch could defeat alone.[3] Initially portrayed by Shannen Doherty as Prue, Holly Marie Combs as Piper, and Alyssa Milano as Phoebe, the cast underwent significant changes after Doherty's departure following the third season, with Rose McGowan joining as half-sister Paige Matthews, whose powers include orbing and empathy, for the remaining five seasons. Supporting characters, such as the sisters' Whitelighter guardian Leo Wyatt (played by Brian Krause), further aid in their magical endeavors and personal lives.[1] Produced by Aaron Spelling Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television, Charmed blended elements of family drama, romance, and horror, exploring themes of sisterhood, destiny, and the balance between normalcy and the supernatural. The show achieved notable popularity during its run, becoming The WB's longest-running hour-long series with all-female leads[5] and attracting a dedicated fanbase for its empowering portrayal of female leads in a genre typically dominated by male heroes.[6] A reboot aired on The CW from 2018 to 2022, reimagining the premise with a new set of Charmed Ones, but the original series remains the foundational iteration of the franchise.[7]Overview
Premise
Charmed centers on the Halliwell sisters—Prue, Piper, and Phoebe—who reunite in their ancestral home in San Francisco and discover they are witches, the prophesied Charmed Ones destined to protect innocents from evil forces using their combined "Power of Three."[3] Each sister possesses unique magical abilities: Prue as the eldest wields telekinesis to move objects with her mind, Piper can freeze time or cause molecular combustion, and Phoebe experiences premonitions that evolve into levitation and empathy.[3] This revelation binds them in a lifelong battle against supernatural threats while navigating everyday lives as professionals and family members.[3] Central to their witchcraft is the Book of Shadows, a mystical tome inherited from their witch ancestor Melinda Warren, containing spells, potions, rituals, and lore on demons and magical entities that serves as both guide and protector of the manor.[3] The book activates defenses against intruders and provides essential knowledge for vanquishing evil, emphasizing the sisters' reliance on ancestral wisdom.[3] The series' mythology revolves around a cosmic struggle between good and evil, with the Underworld as a demonic realm ruled by the Source of All Evil, the most powerful demon seeking to destroy the Charmed Ones.[3] Whitelighters, immortal guardians assigned by the Elders (a council of good beings), aid the sisters with healing, orbing teleportation, and guidance, often forming protective bonds.[3] Magic is governed by rules, including the prohibition on using powers for personal gain to prevent corruption, underscoring themes of destiny, sisterhood, and the tension between magical duties and personal fulfillment.[3]Format and episodes
Charmed is structured as a supernatural drama, blending standalone episodes featuring "monster of the week" procedural elements—where the Halliwell sisters confront individual supernatural adversaries—with serialized mythology arcs that develop the overarching narrative of their witch heritage and battles against evil forces.[8][9] The series spans eight seasons, totaling 178 episodes, broadcast from October 7, 1998, to May 21, 2006. Episode distribution varies slightly across seasons, as shown below:| Season | Episodes | Air Dates |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 22 | 1998–1999 |
| 2 | 22 | 1999–2000 |
| 3 | 22 | 2000–2001 |
| 4 | 22 | 2001–2002 |
| 5 | 23 | 2002–2003 |
| 6 | 23 | 2003–2004 |
| 7 | 22 | 2004–2005 |
| 8 | 22 | 2005–2006 |