The Charmed reboot is moving slowly towards its first episode. Announced in January 2017, the show has changed a lot since its early inception. Originally, the witches were not going to be sisters at all, but somewhere along the line that changed, as well as the characters’ names, powers, and descriptions. Finally, however, we have a full cast to contend with and (what may be) the final versions of their characters.
Madeleine Mantock, of Into the Badlands fame, will star as the eldest sister, Macy Pruitt; Melonie Diaz, from Fruitvale Station, will play Mel Pruitt; and Sarah Jeffery, fresh off of The X-Files and Wayward Pines, will play Madison Pruitt. Below are the official character descriptions:
MACY | A witty, intense science nerd, Macy — who is in her late 20s — is a Ph.D. in quantum physics who’s moving with her boyfriend Galvin to Hilltowne, Michigan, to work in the university lab. Macy has reason to believe that she is the sister of Mel and Madison. Her power is telekinesis.
MEL PRUITT | A strong-willed feminist, she feels deeply and is a bit controlling. Mel — who is in her mid 20s and a lesbian — is the sister of Madison. In the wake of a tragic accident, the grieving Mel becomes angry, defiantly unkempt, even violent, pushing away those who might help her, including her girlfriend, Detective Soo Jin. Mel’s power is time-freezing.
MADISON PRUITT | Mel’s younger sister (she’s 18-ish), an athletic (pilates, cheerleading) college student pledging a sorority, Madison is the opposite of her feminist sister with a desire to fit in. Madison is horrified to learn she is a witch. Her power is hearing people’s thoughts.
Other cast members include Rupert Evans, from Amazon’s The Man in the High Castle, as the trio’s Whitelighter Harry, and Ser’Darius Blain, who debuted on the big screen in Jumanji, will play Macy’s filmmaker boyfriend Galvin.
The show will also now take place in present day, rather than in the 1970s as was originally the plan.
It is fascinating that they decided to cast the majority people of color, considering how very, very white the original show was. Still, will this show manage to cast a spell on audiences, or will it fail to enchant? Filming begins on March 19th, so we’ll soon find out.
