Melonie Diaz And Sarah Jeffery Talk New Charmed One, Magical Creatures, And The Next Big Bad In Charmed Season 4
It’s time for the sisters to reclaim their power!
Charmed has returned for season 4 with a whole new spin on the series. We’ve got a new Charmed One, a new big bad, and new showrunners heading into a more magical world. I joined the Charmed virtual roundtable to speak with Melonie Diaz and Sarah Jeffery about what to expect in season 4.
When Charmed first premiered in 2018, it centered around three women in a college town balancing their regular lives with the realization that they are powerful witches. There were thrills, chills, and humor as they came into their own. Season 2 explored a darker tone, destroying the Book of Shadows and introducing new characters, while season 3 brought on the death of Macy (Madeleine Mantock). With season 4, we’re headed back to the roots of season 1 diving deeper into the magical community with a new Charmed One named Michaela “Kaela” Danso (Lucy Barrett). With a manifestation power that is connected to her creative ability, she can make her artistic creations come to life. “It's kind of interesting every season has had a very different vibe, whether it's noticeable to the audience or not. I think it probably is. Every season has felt like an evolution to get to where we are. It’s been really fun to […] change the dynamic of the sisters. They are all so different and our new Charmed One played by Lucy Barrett is so different from Macy's character and it just brings like a new energy,” Sarah Jeffery shared with us in the roundtable, with Melonie Diaz continuing: “It's always nice as an actor to have a new sparring partner in scenes. Kaela is learning her new power and we are also learning it with her so as you see the episodes there are ways that she helps us that are really interesting and surprising and innovative.”
But the actresses confirm that the new addition of Kaela won’t erase the loss of Macy. “With Macy's death, [Mel and Maggie are] both really grieving. I think the lightness of her character helps them, not get over it, but try their best. I don't think they're ever going to really completely forget her or recover from that kind of thing happening to them,” said Diaz.
This new season promises a return to the rich, magical community they first started to explore in season 1 with the addition of leprechauns, time travel, and a merman — plus Chloe the Pixie is back! Many of these characters will show up at a new magical location called the Blue Camellia, an exclusive magical club, that Mel becomes a frequent patron of for magical hook ups. “Emily Bader, who plays Chloe, is a joy to be around and a joy to watch, so it was really cool tying in the first season to the fourth season because it's been so long,” gushed Jeffery. “We get to meet really new exciting characters, we get to revisit old characters. It's just the nature of a magic show that anything can really happen.”
The two actresses share what makes them really proud about working on the series. “People really respond to the diversity of it. I can't even tell you how many times I get messages being like, ‘You look like me,’ or ‘You look like my cousin.’ That kind of representation goes so far and I'm glad to be a part of it. The sisterhood is a big part of it [too]. People tend to really respond to the sisters problem-solving personal life and magic life stuff,” said Diaz, while Jeffery shared: “We touch a lot on anxiety disorder and panic attacks. I've received countless messages saying it's amazing to see that on screen because a lot of the times more mainstream shows don't show that. It’s a very real part of being a human being, it's a real part of my personal journey, so being able to share that on screen and let people know that it's just normal is a real gift.”
When it comes to episodes you can’t miss this season, Jeffery and Diaz tease several, including one directed by Rupert Evans. “I can't wait for people to see what we're doing in that episode because it's something that's highly requested,” said Jeffery.
This season also brings a brand new villain to the forefront, who Jeffery calls “probably my favorite villain we’ve had.” Known as the Tallyman, this new big bad has emerged from a magical nursery rhyme that goes: "Tallyman, Tallyman he keeps count. Tallyman, Tallyman don't step out. If you're good, then he pays. If you're not, then he slays." Diaz shared that the Tallyman “prays on people’s vulnerabilities,” while Jeffery called him a “master manipulator.” What makes this villain different from others they’ve faced is that they really don’t know anything about him. “It's almost creepy because he's got a civilian quality, like he could be anyone. It’s a little off-putting and uncomfortable because of that,” said Jeffery. “[He’s] puzzling in a literal and figurative sense.”
Charmed airs Fridays on The CW at 8pm EST. See my weekly livestream reviews, below:
