Holly Marie Combs, Brian Krause charm Supanova 2025 fans
Two generations of Charmed fans flocked to Brisbane’s Supanova event despite big draw Jean-Claude van Damme’s last minute cancellation.
The starts of cult TV show Charmed cast a spell on thousands of fans at this year’s Supanova pop culture event at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, but the “Muscles from Brussels’’ was a no-show.
Belgian-born martial arts movie icon Jean-Claude van Damme was supposed to have been the big draw at Supanova 2025, now in its 23rd year in Australia, but pulled out on Saturday morning due to an “unforeseen travel conflict’’.
But the eye-catching crowd of mostly-young Cosplay fanatics, dressed as everything from Star Wars to video game characters, barely seemed to notice.
Certainly not the two generations of Charmed tragics, including Deception Bay’s Tanya Lawler.
She came with a homemade gift of themed earrings for her hero Holly Marie Combs who played Piper Halliwell, one of a trio of powerful witch sisters.
Ms Lawler’s friend Cass Hibbard even had a Charmed tattoo on her back to prove her loyalty.
Combs and co-star Brian Krause (Piper’s other half, Leo Wyatt) said their first Australian Supanova was just days before the world locked down due to Covid.
“Literally the day before the world shut down we were at the Gold Coast (Supanova) and I said to the promoter ‘this sounds very serious’,’’ she recalled.
“He goes ‘no, no, it’ll be OK’. And Brian was like ‘it’s just a flu’. He was hugging everyone, shaking everyone’s hand.’’
She was amazed and honoured that the show, which became bigger in Australia than in the US, was now into its second generation of followers.
Combs, who now has three sons, one a US Marine, said Charmed’s longevity was because it was the sort of show people sat down to watch with their children and friends.
“It’s chemistry, it’s timing. The world was ready for it, but it’s humbling that it still means so much to people,’’ she said.
“Some of the fans have seen the show more times than we have.’’
Supanova Comic Con & Gaming ends on November 9. Tickets still available online.
