Recent years have seen a number of television shows be granted new life in the form or TV reboots, sequel series, continuations, and other manner of revivals. Netflix has garnered a reputation for “saving” beloved television properties from cancellation thanks to Arrested Development season 4, the Full House sequel series Fuller House, and Gilmore Girls revival A Year in the Life. However, The CW - notable for its host of shows based on DC Comics characters - is also looking to revive a fan favorite property in Charmed.

The original Charmed series ran for eight seasons on The WB before ending in May 2006 (just prior to the network merging with UPN to become The CW). While talk of a Charmed reboot has been circulating for some time, The CW announced official plans for a new series last week. The Charmed reboot is expected to be set in the 1970s, prior to the original show that took place in modern day. Now, The CW network head clarifies the new series’ connection to its predecessor.

During The CW’s executive session at the Television Critics Association winter press tour, network head Mark Pedowitz explained that the new Charmed prequel series will be its own separate show - likely meaning characters from the original will not appear in the reboot.

#Charmed prequel will be its own separate show, according to Mark Pedowitz. #TCA17— Kevin Yeoman (@kevintheyeoman) January 8, 2017

The reimaging of Charmed will take place specifically in 1976, and is being written by Jane the Virgin scribes Jessica O’Toole, Amy Rardin, and Jennie Snyder. The original series starred Holly Marie Combs, Alyssa Milano, and Shannen Doherty as sisters Piper, Phoebe, and Prue Halliwell, respectively. Following Doherty’s exit of the series, Rose McGowan was introduced as long-lost half sister Paige Matthews. Both Combs and Milano responded to news of the Charmed reboot - though neither offered much insight into whether they would reprise their roles in The CW’s show.

Considering Pedowitz’s new comment, it seems unlikely any of the original Halliwell sisters will appear in The CW’s Charmed prequel. Rather, it appears the reboot will adapt the basic premise of sisters/witches battling all kinds of supernatural beings - but with the new spin of it taking place in the 1970s. Whether the Charmed reboot’s dissociation from the original series will endear it to fans remains to be seen - especially since the show completed its eight-season run little more than 10 years ago.

Still, considering the writing team assembled for the Charmed reboot and how much success they’ve had with Jane the Virgin, it’s possible The CW’s new take on the beloved TV property could find success as a separate series. But, since Charmed is in the early development stages, it remains to be seen how it will be actualized - and whether it even makes it to air.

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We’ll keep you updated on Charmed as more information becomes available.

Source: Mark Pedowitz