The new trailer for the upcoming Charmed reboot hints at a major connection to the original series.
In the ‘Sisterhood Trailer’, the new Charmed Ones, Macy (Madeleine Mantock), Mel (Melonie Diaz) and Maggie (Sarah Jeffery) discover the iconic Book of Shadows, and come across a familiar name: Melinda Warren.
For those who don’t know, Melinda Warren was a powerful witch from 17th century Salem, whose bloodline gave birth to the original Power of Three, Prue (Shannen Doherty), Piper (Holly Marie Combs), Phoebe (Alyssa Milano) and (later) Paige (Rose McGowan).
The character only physically appeared in one episode of the series (The Witch is Back), but remained an integral part of the show’s mythology.
It may not seem like a massive deal, because original characters are brought back for reboots quite frequently, but the portrait in the Book of Shadows even uses the likeness of Tyler Layton, who originated the role.
Check out the trailer below.
Just like the original version, The CW’s reboot will follow three sister witches who discover their magical ancestry.
To the underworld, they’re known as ‘The Power of Three’, the most powerful witches in the world. They must use their abilities to vanquish demons, the forces of darkness, save the world when it’s in peril etc.
The series will feature an LGBTQ character in Mel Pruitt, a “strong-willed feminist” lesbian in her mid-20’s with a police detective girlfriend called Soo-Jin. Mel – like Piper Halliwell – will be able to stop time.
Macy is endowed with telekinesis (like Prue and Paige), while Madison can hear people’s thoughts – which differs from Phoebe’s powers of premonition, levitation and empathy (although the latter two came later).
Ever since the reboot was announced, it’s been the subject of much controversy.
Combs – who played Piper Halliwell in the original – has been particularly outspoken. When the reboot was deemed a “fierce, funny and feminist” version of the show, she slammed the network.
She tweeted: “I will never understand what is fierce, funny, or feminist in creating a show that basically says the original actresses are too old to do a job they did 12 years ago.”
And Milano – who portrayed Phoebe Halliwell – told Entertainment Tonight: “I wish that they would have come to us and we would have been involved since the beginning.”
However, she did add: “Having said that, I do hope that it reaches the newer generation and impacts that generation the way ours was able to do for its generation.”
Charmed will premiere on The CW on 14 October.
Related: Here’s what Shannen Doherty had to say about the Charmed reboot.
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