Posted in: CW, TV | Tagged: Alyssa Milano, bleeding cool, cable, Charlie Gillespie, charmed, comedy, Constance M. Burge, cw, drama, Ellen Tamaki, fantasy, harry greenwood, Holly Marie Combs, horror, Jane The Virgin, Jennie Snyder Urman, macy, madeline mantock, maggie, mel, Melonie Diaz, rose mcgowan, Rupert Evans, Sarah Jeffery, Ser’Darius Blaine, Shannen Doherty, streaming, Supernatural, television, the charmed ones, the power of three, The WB, thriller, tv, vera sisters, WB, whitelighter, witchcraft

'Charmed' Star Sarah Jeffery Defends Series; Emphasizes Diversity, "Positive Effect"

With production currently underway on Jane the Virgin creator/showrunner Jennie Snyder Urman's reboot of supernatural series Charmed for the CW, series co-star Sarah Jeffery (Maggie, youngest sister of The Vera Sisters) took to Twitter over the Memorial Day weekend to respond to outspoken critics. In a post that went live Saturday afternoon, Jeffery looked to reassure fans that the series respects and appreciates the series' stories that came before it; and emphazised the positive importance of having three women of color in lead roles on a primetime television series.

But while Jeffery is extending an olive branch to those affiliated with the original series as well as urging patience and open-mindedness, she also made it clear that she would defend her co-stars and creative from "futile yet harmful noise" being echoed by naysayers who've yet to see the series:

"We regard the foundation that was laid with great respect. But, when my character is challenged, when there is futile yet harmful noise about how we are either incapable or doomed, I will vociferously defend myself and my sisters,"

Here's a look at Jeffery's message and at her original tweet:

Jeffery's post comes a week after original series star Holly Marie Combs took to Twitter to further call out the CW series for what she claims has been a blatant lack of respect shown towards the original series and its fanbase. Combs took particular issue with the network's use of the phrase "fierce, funny, feminist" when describing the reboot, which she feels implies that the original series was lacking those traits; and with marketing that she believes "basically says the original actresses are too old to do a job they did 12 years ago".

"Let me say first that I appreciate the jobs and opportunities the Charmed reboot has created. But 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. I hope the new show is far better than the marketing so the true legacy does remain. Reboots fair [sic] better when they honor the original as opposed to taking shots at the original. Reboots also do better when they listen to a still passionate fan base which is what it's all about, isn't it? That's why we do reboots. The fans are why we all get to do what we do. So we wish them well and hope for success."

https://youtu.be/OsKXUXrMRRQ

https://youtu.be/loWpbevW9xg

"Stronger together." That's what Marisol tells her daughters, firebrand social justice warrior Melanie "Mel" Vera, and her sister, fun-loving Maggie, about their family. Mel is a graduate student in the women's studies department her mother heads at Hilltowne University; Maggie is a freshman considering rushing a sorority (to Mel's amused dismay) and going "on" again with her on-again off-again boyfriend Brian. But then, a shocking tragedy shatters their world and threatens their sibling bond: Marisol dies in a horrifying accident. Or was it?

Three months later, we find Mel unable to accept the official explanation of their mother's death, while Maggie accuses her of being morbidly obsessed. And then, another huge shock shows up at their front door: they have an older sister, brilliant geneticist Macy, whom their mother kept a secret all these years! Macy is new in town and doesn't know a soul (except for Galvin, the cute fellow scientist who's been showing her around). Macy is eager to connect with Mel and Maggie, but Mel can't handle another shock, and shuts her out. With the emotions of all three sisters running high, each of the girls suddenly exhibit impossible new abilities: Mel can freeze time, Maggie starts hearing others' thoughts, and Macy has telekinetic powers.

But don't worry, there's a perfectly reasonable explanation…or so says Harry Greenwood (who as far as they know is the officious new chair of the women's studies department), when he gathers the three sisters together to reveal they're actually powerful witches, as was their mother. And he's not really a professor, he's their "Whitelighter," a witch's advisor and guide! Not only that, but Mel was right: their mother's death was no accident – she was murdered by unknown dark forces. It's a lot to take in, but ultimately the sisters accept their new destiny as The Charmed Ones…and their new duty to protect humankind from the demons that walk among us…one of whom killed their mother. With the Power of Three, they are stronger together… even if they have no idea what they're really up against.

Starring Melonie Diaz, Sarah Jeffery, Madeleine Mantock, Rupert Evans, Ser'Darius Blaine, Charlie Gillespie, and Ellen Tamaki . Based on the original series, CHARMED is from CBS Television Studios in association with Propagate Content, with executive producers Jessica O'Toole ("Jane The Virgin"), Amy Rardin ("Jane The Virgin"), Jennie Snyder Urman ("Jane The Virgin"), Ben Silverman ("The Office"), Brad Silberling ("Jane The Virgin") and Carter Covington ("Faking It").

Created by Constance M. Burge, the original Charmed aired on the WB from 1998-2006. The highly-rated and popular series about a trio of sisters/good witches starred Combs, Shannen Doherty and Alyssa Milano. Joining the series in the third season, Rose McGowan replaced the departing Doherty.

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