With eight seasons behind it, the supernatural series, starring Alyssa Milano, Rose McGowan and Holly Marie Combs as sister witches Phoebe, Paige and Piper Halliwell, is one of the WB's longest running.
Friday's news was hardly shocking.
McGowan told E! Online TV columnist Kristin Veitch last month that the end appeared near. When asked if there might be another season, McGowan replied, "My contract's done. Other contracts are done, so no. You know, the show's been on forever. It has achieved so many milestones. It's the longest running female show in history. That's kind of bizarre. I mean, I haven't been there the full eight years, but it's still a huge achievement."
The fate of the Halliwell sisters had been up in the air since the WB and UPN networks announced they were shutting down to form the CW, a one-stop shop for the type of youthful programming each network has specialized in. While the new network hasn't officially unveiled its schedule, CW execs specifically mentioned in a press release shows like the UPN's America's Next Top Model, Veronica Mars and Everybody Hates Chris and the WB's Gilmore Girls, Smallville and Beauty and the Geek.
With Charmed MIA from the list, executive producer Brad Kern decided to hedge his bets. He told TVGuide.com Friday that he had written this season's finale as a series-ender. "It's been a hell of a run," he said, "but all good things must come to an end."
About 3.9 million viewers have been tuning in this season to watch Milano, Combs and McGowan battle the forces of darkness. Solid numbers for the network, but the show's advanced age and production costs made it expendable. (The highest rated show on the WB, with an average of 5.4 million viewers, is 7th Heaven, which is ending its 10-year run at the end of the season. Both Charmed and 7th Heaven are produced by Spelling Television.)
Per TVGuide.com, Brian Krause, who plays Piper's husband, says guardian angel Leo is expected to materialize for the final episode. However, one person viewers shouldn't expect back in the coven is Shannen Doherty.
Doherty's character, Prue Halliwell--another sister--was killed off after three seasons amid reports that the former Beverly Hills, 90210 dweller was being a witch behind the scenes.
McGowan was then tapped to play long-lost little half-sis Paige Matthews.
And the trio have been harmoniously kicking evil's butt ever since.