A Charmed Century

'Charmed's' dastardly demon, Cole, is celebrating his 100th birthday - and he will be going out with a bang. Has the power of three set him free?

Not many demons make it to their 100th birthday, especially if they're unlucky enough to cross paths with The Charmed Ones. So when Pheobe's ex-demon husband Cole - played by Australian actor Julian McMahon - smiles and wishes himself many happy returns, you know it won't be a good day for this birthday boy!

Cole's 100th birthday coinsides with the 100th episode of Network Ten's hit supernatural drama, which screens this coming Thursday (April 10).

It also marks the final appearence for 34-year-old Julian, who has played the district-attorney-turned-demon since 2000.

Cole will leave in spectacular fashion, amidst a blaze of witchcraft, potions, magic and mayhem as he switches identities and finds himself in a parallel reality. Cole isn't invincible in this realm, and what happens next is nothing short of vintage Charmed action.

Julian's real-life exit may not be quite as spectacular - but according to him, it will be just as heartfelt.

"It feels weird to be celebrating the fact that Cole is dying, but I guess it's a good episode to go out on," he tells TV WEEK. "It's bittersweet, because the show has meant a lot to me."

Charmed executive producer Brad Kern was sorry to hear that Julian wanted to leave, but wishes him every success.

"I'll miss him terribly - personally and professionally," he said in a recent interview.

However, Brad also believes Cole's departure may be a blessing in disguise for the show, now in its fifth season.

"It was time to free up Alyssa Milano's character Pheobe," he explains. "We were stretching the character and the relationship too much."

Julian agrees. Although he credits Charmed as being the highlight of a career that got moving with Home and Away in 1990 and includes the US prime-time series Profiler, he felt his character was starting to stagnate - and he was determined not to let that happen.

"I didn't want to feel like I was stale and repeating myself. Sexy roguishness is way overrated," he says.

Julian wasn't sure initially whether to accept the role, but after a quick chat with the Charmed producers, he was convinced.

"Once I spoke to Brad Kern and James Conway (consulting producer), I realised this was an opportunity to really express myself as an actor and hopefully, help create a memorable character," he says.

He certainly succeeded. So what now for the man who has spent the better part of the past three years in wicked wicca action opposite three of the best butt-kicking females in the business?

More work, of course! Julian has picked up a role in the new drama series Nip/Tuck. Set in Miami and based on the comings and goings of two top plastic surgeons, it is "about each and every way people transform their lives," says executive producer Ryan Murphy.

The show will also star Dylan Walsh and Joely Richardson, and will premiere on the FX cable TV network shortly.

Julian has managed to squeeze in a break, though. He hopes to soon return home to Australia to see family, but for now, he's kicking back in L.A.

"I'm looking forward to having some time off and doing nothing," Julian says.

"I've worked every summer for the past six years. I'm going to sit in the sun, swim in my pool, watch basketball and go out for breakfast, lunch and dinner."

Sounds good. Put your feet up, Julian!

10 memorable Cole moments

1 The devilishly handsome Cole Turner makes his first appearance in the opener of season three in 2000 as a district attorney with a dark heart. One look and Phoebe is hooked!
2 Cole is stripped of his demonic powers in season four, in an episode entitled "Black As Cole". The new, nicer Cole asks Phoebe to marry him - and she says yes.
3 Oops, that good-guy phase didn't last long. Pretty soon, Cole becomes The Source of all evil. Phoebe, you don't want to mess with this guy!
4 Then Phoebe does the unthinkable and vanquishes Cole. "Brad called me beforehand and said, 'There's an episode coming up in which Cole in vanquished. I want you to know it has nothing to do with you leaving the show,'" Julian says. Piper (Holly Marie Combs) and Paige (Rose McGowan) will have their sis all to themselves again... well, maybe!
5 Cole hooks up with The Seer, a sexy demon blassed with the power of second sight. They are a force to be reckoned with as Cole gets right into the role of The Source.
6 He might be evil incarnate, but Phoebe can't get enough of him! She and Cole tie the knot in an episode titled "Marry-Go-Round". The Seer persuades Cole to partarke in a Black Ceremony to ensure that their child will have untold evil powers.
7 Cole and Phoeve struggles with her new position as Queen of the Underworld.
8 Phoebe almost succeeds in vanquishing her hubby, but Cole refuses to die and ends up fighting for his life in demon limbo. He'll be back!
9 Cole absorbs the power of other vanquished demons and returns to the new worls, promising to use his powers for good. Yeah, right - pull the other one!
10 In an episode titled "Y Tu Mummy Tambien", Cole makes a pact with a demon to save Phoebe. See, he does care about her after all. But it's all in vain... we'll miss you, Cole!