Shannen Doherty, Alyssa Milano to appear at MegaCon in Florida, but don't expect a reunion

A "Charmed" reunion will happen in Florida − despite drama behind the scenes of the hit show resurfacing more than 20 years later.

Shannen Doherty, Holly Marie Combs, Alyssa Milano and Rose McGowan (who fans may remember as Prue, Piper and Phoebe Halliwell and Paige Matthews, respectively, in the beloved WB/CW series that ran from 1998-2006) will appear at MegaCon 2024 in Orlando in February. Doherty, Combs and Milano were the original stars of "Charmed" before Doherty's departure in season three. McGowan joined the cast until its finale from 2001-06 and did not appear in any episodes with Doherty.

Earlier this month, Doherty hosted her former co-star and longtime friend, Combs, on her podcast, "Let's Be Clear with Shannen Doherty," and the pair recalled memories about the show, working with Aaron Spelling, reasons why Doherty left and Milano's alleged role.

Doherty, now 52 and undergoing treatment for Stage 4 breast cancer, played the eldest sister in the show about three sibling witches. Here's what we know about the "Charmed" reunion at MegaCon 2024 in Orlando and what's going on with the show's biggest stars.

What is MegaCon?

MegaCon, a super festival that celebrates all things “fandom” from science-fiction to comics to anime to gaming and cosplay, has long had a reputation for reuniting stars of beloved series. This year, for example, in addition to the "Charmed" cast, Cary Elwes and Robin Wright of pop culture favorite "The Princess Bride" are among the headliners of this year's MegaCon (see below for more). In the past, power duos such as Mark Hamill and Harrison Ford of "Star Wars" and William Shatner and George Takei of "Star Trek" have taken center stage at MegaCon.

Organizers describe MegaCon as "four days of fun-filled fan culture," drawing at least 160,000 people over the weekend − along with some of the biggest names in the comic con universe. The mega convention features celebrity Q&As, photo ops, meet-and-greets, autograph sessions, cosplay, merchandise, anime groups, gaming, shopping and kids play zone.

When is MegaCon? Where will MegaCon 2024 be held?

The mega convention will be Thursday to Sunday, Feb. 1-4, 2024, at the Orange County Convention Center, 9800 International Drive, Orlando.

• 4 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024

• 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Feb. 2 and 3, 2024

• 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024

When will the stars of 'Charmed' appear at MegaCon 2024 in Orlando?

According to MegaCon's site, Alyssa Milano will be there Friday, Feb. 2, 2024, while Shannen Doherty, Holly Marie Combs and Rose McGowan are scheduled to appear Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 3 and 4, 2024. So most of the Halliwell (and Matthews) sisters will reunite at MegaCon in Orlando, but not all four leads together on the same day, according to MegaCon's celebrity schedule online.

Doherty, Combs, McGowan and other "Charmed" cast members have appeared at conventions together. Earlier this year, Doherty, Combs, McGowan, Dorian Gregory, Brian Krause and Drew Fuller were part of a "Charmed" panel at '90s Con.

Who is Shannen Doherty? What is 'Let's Be Clear with Shannen Doherty' podcast about?

Actress Shannen Doherty is best known for playing Brenda Walsh on "Beverly Hills, 90210" and Prue Halliwell on "Charmed." She was fired from "90210" and hinted in interviews that she was fired from "Charmed," due in part to her former co-star Alyssa Milano, now 51.

Doherty also has been in the news recently for documenting her treatment with breast cancer, which she said has spread to her bones, according to a November 2023 People magazine cover story. Her podcast, "Let's Be Clear with Shannen Doherty," made its debut in December 2023 on iHeartRadio.

Two episodes have gotten recent attention: "Let's Be Charmed ... with Holly Marie Combs." The description of Part 1 states, "Sisters on and off screen, Shannen and Holly recall their friendship before their days on Charmed…and how their bond grew through the trials and tribulations experienced on set. Pushing against the producer patriarchy, and what caused a temporary wedge between the original Halliwell sisters."

Part 2 continues the "Charmed" tea: "If you enjoyed part one of the conversation with Holly Marie Combs, you’re going to love part two! What really happened on the set of 'Charmed?' Did Shannen direct her own death scene without knowing it? And how did Holly feel when Shannen left the very show she launched and loved? #thetruthmatters"

What did Shannen Doherty and Holly Marie Combs, stars of 'Charmed,' say about their show on the podcast?

In the "Let's Be Clear with Shannen Doherty" podcast, "Charmed" star Holly Marie Combs said Doherty, former star of "Beverly Hills, 90210," was let go from the WB/CW series because producers feared Milano would sue for a "hostile workplace environment" if Doherty was not kicked out of her role. "90210" and "Charmed" were Aaron Spelling productions, and, in her podcast, Doherty mentions the negative history with Spelling from her "90120" days before he reached out to her for "Charmed."

Combs, 50, said on Doherty's podcast that she called a meeting with show producer Jonathan Levin in the early 2000s for answers on why Doherty was fired: "(Jonathan Levin) said, 'We didn't mean to − but we've been backed into this corner − we're basically in this position where it's one or the other. We were told (by Alyssa) it's her or (Shannen) and Alyssa has threatened to sue us for a hostile workplace environment."

Combs appeared to hint Milano had built a case against her and Doherty to help her argument and allegedly "documented every time she felt uncomfortable on set."

She added tension between the three stars occurred behind the scenes and was never anything noticed by the crew or special guest stars.

"There are actually people who behave badly and get away with it. I don't think people understand that never happened here," Combs said on the podcast, adding she was ready to walk away from the show at the time and told Levin she wouldn't move forward without Doherty. In the same episode, Doherty and Combs reminisce about the early days of the show's production, where Doherty fought for Combs to play Piper Halliwell.

Combs remained on the show after Doherty's character was written out and eventually became a producer during its run.

"I lived a year after that sort of replaying everything in my brain and really trying to find those moments (of alleged bad behavior on set) − and I couldn't find them," Doherty said on her podcast. "I don't ever remember being mean to (Alyssa) on set. I remember an episode I directed where she did something on the Christmas break, and they asked me to work around some things with her, and I had no problem with it. I couldn't have been more kind and understanding."

In addition to starring on the show, Doherty directed some of the most memorable episodes from the series. On the podcast with Combs, she reflects how she would have handled things differently: "I definitely would've sued, and I would've been honest about the situation because the rumors followed me regardless. As you get older, you accept that a situation happened. Acceptance and moving on with your life does not equate to forgiveness. You just learn a lesson and look at somebody differently and move on."

What has Alyssa Milano said about alleged 'Charmed' feud with Shannen Doherty?

As of Dec. 26, Milano has not mentioned Doherty or Combs' claims about her alleged role in Doherty's departure after season three of "Charmed." Doherty's podcast episodes surrounding the behind-the-scenes tensions were made available Dec. 11, and Milano's 51st birthday was Dec. 19. In a Twitter photo post, she addressed "cheat codes that have helped me navigate the challenges and triumphs" of her life.

Here's what Milano tweeted not long after Doherty's "Charmed" podcast episodes aired: "Today is my birthday! However, instead of just saying my age, from now on I’m going to say that I have reached 'level 51.'

"To unlock this level, I have discovered a few cheat codes that have helped me navigate the challenges and triumphs along the way. The first cheat code is RESILIENCE. I have faced my fair share of heartache, anxiety, and depression, but I have managed to overcome them with LOVE. Love for myself, which keeps me evolving and searching, love for others, which keeps me gentle and forgiving, and love for the world around me which keeps me in awe at what has been created here. It is through this love that I have found the strength to keep pushing forward.

"Another cheat code that has been instrumental in reaching level 51 is GRATITUDE. I have learned to appreciate the simple joys of life, like the beauty of birds soaring through the sky and the majesty of trees standing tall. I am grateful for the symbiotic relationship between plants and humans, where my breath nourishes them, and their existence provides me with what I need to survive. Gratitude has also allowed me to embrace the gift of curiosity, never ceasing to learn something new. Mostly, I am grateful for the beating of my heart, which carries the blood of my ancestors and connects me to a rich lineage of profound triumph.

"Compassion and empathy are two more cheat codes that have helped me reach level 51 status. Although they can sometimes be uncomfortable emotions to experience, they have shaped me into a kind and humble person who strives to ease the suffering of humanity. The ability to want to understand and share the feelings of others has allowed me to forge deep connections and foster a sense of unity and community.

"However, the most significant factor in reaching level 51 is the people in my life who love me unconditionally. Their support, care, and acceptance have been the driving force behind my personal growth. Today, my heart overflows with gratitude for their presence. As Edna St. Vincent Millay once wrote, "O World, I can not hold thee close enough." This quote perfectly encapsulates the overwhelming sense of love and appreciation I feel on this special day.

"So, as I celebrate my birthday at level 51, I do so with a sense of accomplishment and gratitude. I embrace the challenges and joys that lie ahead, knowing that I have the cheat codes of resilience, gratitude, compassion, empathy, and the love of those around me to guide me through this game of life."

What other celebrities will be at MegaCon 2024 in Orlando, Florida?

• Actress Ming-Na Wen (Disney's "Mulan," "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." and "The Book of Boba Fett")

• Actor Ewan McGregor (Obi-wan Kenobe in "Star Wars")

• Actor Hayden Christensen (Annaken Skywalker/Darth Vader in "Star Wars")

• Actor Tom Hiddleston (Loki in the "Thor" and "Avengers" films)

• Actor Paul Bettany (JARVIS/Vision in "Iron Man" and "Avengers" films, "WandaVision," “Solo: A Star Wars Story”)

• Actor William Shatner ("Star Trek" and "Boston Legal")

• Actor Anthony Daniels (C-3PO from "Star Wars")

• Actress Susan Sarandon ("Bad Moms Christmas" and "Thelma and Louise")

• Actress Geena Davis ("Beetlejuice" and "Thelma and Louise")

• Actor Giancarlo Esposito ("The Mandalorian," "Breaking Bad")

• Actor Temuera Morrison ("The Book of Boba Fett," "Moana")

• Actor Danny Trejo (“Machete,” “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” “The Book of Boba Fett”)

• Actor Matthew Lewis (Neville Longbottom from the "Harry Potter" films)

• Actor Cary Elwes (Westley from “The Princess Bride” and “Mission Impossible”)

• Actress Robin Wright (Buttercup from “The Princess Bride” and “House of Cards”)

• Keith David (“The Thing” and “The Live”)

• Actress Juliette Lewis (“Yellow Jackets” and "Natural Born Killers")

How much are MegaCon 2024 tickets?

Advanced tickets are available until 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024.

• Single-day tickets for adults ages 18 and up start at $25 in advance or $30 after Jan. 17 and range up to $58 in advance or $68 full price. For teens ages 13 to 17, single-day tickets start at $20 in advance or $25 after Jan. 17 and range up to $48 in advance or $58 full price. For kids ages 6 to 12, single-day tickets are $15. Some family passes (two adults and up to four children) are available and start at $55 for single-day in advance or $65 after Jan. 17 and range up to $101 in advance or $121 full price. This includes admission and a souvenir badge.

• A four-day pass starts at $119 in advance or $139 after Jan. 17. It includes admission and a souvenir badge along with access to a special preview at 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 1.

• An "ultimate fan" package costs $159 in advance or $179 at full price after Jan. 17. This includes admission, limited edition MegaCon Orlando souvenir badge, access to the special preview at 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 1; celebrity photo op; limited edition MegaCon Orlando bag, comic book, collectible and lithograph; 10% coupon off MegaCon Orlando store; and a free single-day general admission (excluding Saturdays) at "future Fan Expo HQ events until but not including MegaCon Orlando 2025."

• According to the site, VIP packages for $549 are sold out. They include admission, MegaCon Orlando VIP badge, priority entrance, "bring a friend for free on Thursday," access to the special preview at 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 1; early admission to the show floor on Friday through Sunday, Feb. 2-4; VIP lounge access; celebrity autograph and photo ops; lanyard, T-shirt, bag, limited edition collectible, lithograph; 20% off coupon at MegaCon Orlando Store; and a free general admission to "future Fan Expo HQ events until but not including MegaCon Orlando 2025."

Contributing: USA TODAY

Sangalang is a lead digital producer for USA TODAY Network-Florida. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram at @byjensangalang. Support local journalism. Consider subscribing to a Florida newspaper.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Alyssa Milano, Shannen Doherty, 'Charmed' actors in Orlando in 2024