Kaley Cuoco has alleged that one major star didn’t appear thrilled to see her when she turned up on the set of a hit TV series roughly two decades ago.
During an appearance on Dax Shepard’s podcast, the actor looked back on an awkward moment from the time she joined the cast of Charmed.
Cuoco came on board in 2005 and said that while she received an especially warm welcome from one cast member, another seemed less enthusiastic when she arrived.
Charmed centers on three sisters who are powerful good witches, using their “power of three” to protect people from evil forces.
The sisters were portrayed by Holly Marie Combs, Alyssa Milano and Shannen Doherty for the first three seasons, before Rose McGowan joined the show in season four.
Cuoco entered the series for its eighth and final season, and she said she felt “terrified” stepping onto the set as the newcomer so late in the show’s run.
Recalling the situation on Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard, she said: “You know when you do so many things and you just forget about terrible moments?
“Imagine this: I’ve never met anyone. It’s their gallery shoot.”
She then described walking into a cast photo-style setup without really knowing anyone yet: “I’m the new girl. You’ve got Alyssa Milano, Rose McGowan and Holly Marie Combs. I’ve never met them. Think about that. I’m joining their family photo, and I’m 21.”
Cuoco said the nerves hit hard because she was arriving at such a late stage in the series.
She said: “I walk in that gallery, and I am so freaking nervous.
“It’s on their lunch break. They’re all in the corners, eating.”
She told the podcast (which was later published on YouTube) that Milano immediately put her at ease: “I walk in. Alyssa Milano sees me, and – I will always tell this story about her – she got up, ran over to me and welcomed me to the show, gave me the biggest hug in the world, so happy, so kind. I will never forget that.”
However, Cuoco suggested the reception wasn’t the same from everyone, adding: “Rose [was] maybe not as happy. I don’t know.
“I still don’t know if she likes me. I don’t know. But Alyssa was amazing. I was terrified. It’s a weird thing coming into a show with them in year eight, and I only did the one season.”
Charmed premiered in 1998, and Cuoco joined in 2005 to play Billie Jenkins.
Representatives for Rose McGowan have been contacted for comment.