Recasting Charmed’s Original Characters For 2026

Yet, when the Charmed reboot TV show hit in the late 2010s, it dramatically departed from the days of the Halliwell sisters and their charming lives in San Francisco. Nearly everything that made the initial run so nostalgic was gone, replaced by a new, distinctly modern spin on the show's formula. That in and of itself wasn't an issue— as evidenced by the four-season run Charmed (2018) had on The CW— but the original characters irrefutably reign supreme, and they could easily enthrall 2026 viewers with a true reboot.

Bella Maclean as Prudence “Prue” Halliwell

Prudence aka Prue, the eldest Halliwell child in Charmed, starts out as the quintessential older sister archetype. In certain regards, she's nurturing and almost maternal with her younger siblings. In other ways, she's bogged down by a self-fulfilling prophecy of being the family's de facto protector. As such, Prue's sudden death at the end of Charmed season 3 upended the established dynamics of the series and launched some delightfully devastating character development for the rest of the ensemble.

Bella Maclean would bring the perfect mix of tenderness and Type A perfectionism to Prue's character, stepping up as the eldest sister with all the love in the world for Piper and Phoebe, even if her newfound powers seem more like a burden than anything else. Admittedly, Maclean doesn't have an extensive filmography yet, but between her recurring role in Sex Education and her indomitable performance as Taggie in Rivals, she clearly has enough range to handle Prue's story.

Cailee Spaeny as Piper Halliwell

Meanwhile, Piper starts out as the most timid Halliwell sister, though she finds her inner strength throughout the course of the series and succeeds Prue as the coven's leader. Without question, Piper is the kindest and most sensitive soul in the main cast, often facilitating conflicts between Prue and Phoebe. In the later seasons of Charmed, however, Piper grows more confident, sarcastic, and, in some ways, even cynical.

For a character with such a nuanced narrative, Cailee Spaeny would no doubt give an inspired performance. Whether you consider Devs, Mare of Easttown, or Priscilla to be her breakout project, there's no denying that Spaeny has shown extraordinary talent in the past six years. Plus, her contribution to the Beef season 2 cast proved she can handle more mature, emotionally complex roles.​​​​​​

Sophie Thatcher as Phoebe Halliwell

Conversely, Phoebe is introduced as the family's free spirit, equal parts creative and non-conformist. Despite her rebellious nature in the early seasons, however, Phoebe's development is incredibly nuanced, with the show's mythology revealing that she is especially vulnerable to evil due to being born in the ancestral home. Nevertheless, Phoebe wholeheartedly embraced her powers and immediately accepted her role as humanity's protector.

From being an artsy college student to ascending the throne as the literal Queen of the Underworld, Sophie Thatcher would make a perfect Phoebe in a modern remake. With Thatcher's incredibly emotive acting style and distinctive look, a 2026 take on Charmed could lean into an alternative aesthetic for the quirky youngest Halliwell. Furthermore, it would be a fantastic follow-up for Thatcher's TV career after Yellowjackets season 4.​​​​

Sadie Sink as Paige Matthews

Paige Matthews may not enter the equation until Charmed season 4, but the secret half-sister was a welcome addition that fit in seamlessly. At once, she feels like the perfect storm of Prue and Phoebe, independent to a fault with a history of being a wild child. Yet, the half-witch/half-whitelighter also had her own idiosyncrasies, like bouts of awkwardness and a desperate yearning to belong.

While she may be best known as Maxine Mayfield, Sadie Sink's filmography is slowly but surely growing, and each new acting credit is another blow to naysayers who doubted her ability. Truly, Sink's career is only just beginning, and she has tremendous potential that would translate well into the unconventional role Paige plays in Charmed.​​​​​​

Jack Innanen as Andy Trudeau

Though he only appeared in a single season, Andy Trudeau left a lasting impression on Charmed. The short-lived inspector for the San Francisco Police Department was also Prue's first love, which makes his sacrifice at the end of Charmed season 1 both tragic and somewhat sweet, as he died protecting the Halliwell sisters from one of the series' first truly fearsome demons.

Andy's kindness wasn't a weakness, but some would argue he was loyal to a fault. If anyone can capture that thin line— with the puppy eyes to boot— it would be Jack Innanen. Aside from playing one of the most iconic characters on Hulu's best comedy series, Adults, Innanen recently landed a major role in an upcoming Netflix film, meaning he is continually honing his craft as an actor.​​​​​​

Tre McBride as Darryl Morris

Following Andy's death, Darryl Morris quickly emerged as the Halliwell sisters' man on the inside, helping them hide their magical destiny from local— and later national— law enforcement. In fact, the lieutenant even helps facilitate clandestine witch business, protecting the main characters from being exposed while they fulfill their duties as The Charmed Ones.

Of course, the vast majority of prospective viewers would recognize Tre McBride from his professional football career, but the budding actor has obvious potential. Similarly, while a fantasy drama like Charmed would surely be a challenge, McBride has already proven he can handle an extremely absurd storyline, as he was a pivotal player in 9-1-1 season 10's ridiculous volcano emergency.

Xolo Maridueña as Leo Wyatt

Like any other network TV staple, love interests for the main characters come and go, but Leo Wyatt plays an indispensable part in Charmed's overarching storyline. Initially posing as a maintenance worker, Leo is the whitelighter for the Halliwell sisters, acting as a guardian angel with limited powers of his own. Soon, Leo falls for Piper, and the two build a family together— though the relationship isn't without its hurdles.

For most of the series, Leo is a moral paragon, living up to his angelic role. As such, someone like Xolo Maridueña— a literal superhero in the latest DC universe— would be the best option. Furthermore, Maridueña recently appeared in Practical Magic 2, demonstrating he's more than capable of playing a witch's one true love.​​​​​​

Logan Lerman as Cole Turner

On the opposite end of the spectrum, Cole Turner is a demon who oscillates between friend and foe. At first, his wicked schemes take a turn when he falls in love with Phoebe, but Cole never stays stagnant for long, always falling back into his demonic ways one way or another. Regardless, his character is complex in all the right ways.

Despite being a demon, Cole needs to be able to fool the viewer into believing he's just as pious as Leo. Consequently, using a well-known actor who is usually the hero would only add to the character's enigmatic reputation. Logan Lerman instantly comes to mind, as he could be a phenomenal villain just as easily as he'll be a rom-com heartthrob in the 13 Going on 30 remake.​​​​​​

Florence Hunt as Billie Jenkins

​​​​​​​Unlike Cole, who literally goes through Hell and back throughout the years, Billie Jenkins is only introduced in Charmed season 8. Though her time on the show was brief, Billie had a fairly tragic storyline. The young student hones her powers with the tutelage of Paige, all in the hopes of finding her missing sister, Christy. Yet, when they're reunited, Christy has been spellbound by the demonic Triad, compelling Billie to join the forces of evil. In the end, the young witch helps defeat the demons, which also means vanquishing her beloved sister.

Billie's stirring plot was one of the best parts of Charmed's final season, and employing a rising star like Florence Hunt would only add that much more emotional weight to her character. For the past six years, Hunt has been patiently waiting for her turn to lead a main Bridgerton couple, but the young actress has begun building her repertoire beyond the historical romance. A memorable role in a 2026 remake of Charmed would be a fitting addition, even if Billie is a flash in the pan compared to the Halliwell sisters.​​​​​​