Whatever Happened To Rose McGowan From Charmed?

Whatever reservations that fans of the WB hit "Charmed" may have had when series star Shannen Doherty was replaced by Rose McGowan in Season 4 were quickly erased by the latter's performance as long-lost Halliwell half-sister Paige Matthews. Although Prue (Doherty) may have been the "superior sister," according to Bustle, McGowan's Paige was more than a worthy replacement,

As captured by CBS News, McGowan was recognized as favorite sister at the Family Television Awards in 2005 for her role on "Charmed." Moreover, Paige continued to appear in comics, novels, and other media inspired by the series long after its final episode had aired.

While McGowan notably appeared in Robert Rodriguez's half of the "Grindhouse" double feature, "Planet Terror," she has been far less prominent on the screen in recent years than during her late-'90s/early-2000s heyday. In fact, her IMDb page lists the 2017 horror film "The Sounds" as her last feature-length credit. And it was a project that failed to resonate with critics; the film currently has a 25% reviewers score and a 16% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Nevertheless, McGowan continues to be active in the public sphere and was a major player in one of the most important movements ever to hit the entertainment industry.

Rose McGowan famously spoke out against sexual assault and harassment against women in the entertainment industry as a key figure in the #MeToo movement of 2017. The actress was one of many to accuse Hollywood power player Harvey Weinstein of rape. Per The Cut, no less than 100 women had made allegations of abuse against the Miramax founder and producer, who was sentenced to 23 years in prison for sex crimes. Time later recognized her as one of the Silence Breakers — the outlet's Person of the Year — for speaking out.

Although she has been lauded for her activism on behalf of women and victims of abuse, McGowan has also been the subject of controversy. In 2014, she criticized the gay community for not doing more to aid the cause of women's rights, saying, "I see now, basically, people who've fought for the right to stand on top of a float wearing an orange speedo and take molly," during a podcast appearance (via Travelers Today). The following year, she was accused by some of being transphobic for her criticism of Caitlyn Jenner, who had told Glamour that "the hardest part about being a woman is figuring out what to wear," as relayed by the Daily Beast.

In addition to acting in short films and making guest appearances on shows like "Chopped" and "Question Time," McGowan recorded the moody, electronic album "Planet 9" in 2018. She also penned a memoir, "Brave." 

If you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, help is available. Visit the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network website or contact RAINN's National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).