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The fourth season of Charmed aired from October 2001 until May 2002, and consists of 22 episodes. It was released on DVD in 2005 as a box-set without any extras. It was re-released as part of a complete collection in 2008.

SummaryEdit

The Charmed Ones, modern-day urban witches Phoebe (Alyssa Milano), Piper (Holly Marie Combs) and Paige (Rose McGowan), move into Season Four with deeper, darker and more deftly crafted stories. As Piper and Phoebe struggle with the loss of their older sister, they discover the existence of half-sister Paige Matthews. Possessing the power to orb as a half-Whitelighter, Paige joins the Halliwell sisters to recreate the magical triad that protects the innocent and vanquishes evil. But all may be lost as Cole's (Julian McMahon) demonic side takes over, and Leo (Brian Krause) must face his past if he is to help the sisters in a battle that could destroy them all.

With intriguing characters, amazing special effects and the perfect brew of suspense, drama and humor, each exciting episode in this fascinating supernatural series casts a gripping spell.

CastEdit

Main castEdit

Holly Marie Combs as Piper Halliwell (22/22)
Alyssa Milano as Phoebe Halliwell (22/22)
Rose McGowan as Paige Matthews (22/22)
Brian Krause as Leo Wyatt (22/22)
Julian McMahon as Cole Turner (18/22)
Dorian Gregory as Darryl Morris (8/22)

Recurring castEdit

Debbi Morgan as The Seer (7/22)
David Reivers as Bob Cowan (6/22)
Bennet Guillory and Peter Woodward as The Source (4/22)
Krista Allen as Oracle (3/22)
James Read as Victor Bennett (2/22)
Michael Bailey Smith as Belthazor (2/22)
Rebecca Balding as Elise Rothman (2/22)
Jesse Woodrow as Glen Belland (2/22)
Jennifer Rhodes as Penny Halliwell (1/22)

Notes and TriviaEdit

The Season 4 article has a Photo Gallery.

The DVD box-set of this season was released on the twenty-eighth of February 2006 in region 1 (The U.S., Canada) and for all other regions in November and December 2005 or January 2006. It was released in June and July 2006 (as two parts) in Japan. It does not include any bonus features like the previous seasons.

Rose McGowan joins the main cast as Paige Matthews, Piper and Phoebe's half-sister, after Shannen Doherty's departure from the series. The producers originally considered recasting the role with a different actress. Executive Producer Aaron Spelling even approached actresses Tiffani Thiessen, who replaced Doherty on his previous series Beverly Hills, 90210, and Jennifer Love Hewitt to take on the role as Doherty's replacement. Both actressess declined, and producers then decided to kill off the character of Prue and replace her with a long-lost younger sister in favor of having "a fresh face" join the series. Other actresses considered for the role of Paige included Charisma Carpenter who would later be chosen to portray the role of Kyra, a seer in the series' seventh season.

The opening credits has gotten a total make-over due to the departure of Shannen Doherty from the series. Alyssa Milano has been put first, followed by Rose McGowan, followed by Holly Marie Combs who is now credited with "And ... As 'Piper'". Dorian Gregory and Julian McMahon switch places as well.

This is the first season to feature a two hour long season premiere for which a special, shorter opening was created. The opening features a flashing triquetra and the word Charmed popping onto the screen. Behind the title, a glowing triquetra draws itself until everything flashes away. This opening would be used again for season 5.

This season is considered the darkest amongst fans due to the Source/Cole-becoming-evil-again storyline, and the dealing-with-death theme at the beginning of the season.

The main three actresses, Alyssa Milano, Rose McGowan, and Holly Marie Combs, as well as Brian Krause appeared in every episode of the season. The rest of the male leads did not:
- Julian McMahon did not appear in "Size Matters", "A Knight to Remember", "Trial by Magic" and "Womb Raider".
- Dorian Gregory did not appear in "Hell Hath No Fury", "Enter the Demon", "Size Matters", "A Knight to Remember", "Brain Drain", "Muse to My Ears", "Trial by Magic", "Lost and Bound", "The Three Faces of Phoebe", "The Fifth Halliwheel", "Saving Private Leo", "Bite Me", "We're Off to See the Wizard" and "Long Live the Queen".

Originally, "Charmed and Dangerous" was planned to be the season finale with "Cole-becoming-the-Source" serving as the main storyline for the series' fifth season.
The source is vanquished twice in this Season and is vanquished another two times once in season 8 and once in season 9.

The huge gap, story-wise, between "All Hell Breaks Loose" and "Charmed Again" has left many fans wondering what exactly happened during that period. When season 4 premiered, some even thought they had missed an episode.