The beloved TV sitcom Bewitched captivated audiences for eight charmed seasons with its clever writing, endearing characters, and a hint of supernatural mayhem. Samantha Stephens, a witch who marries a regular man named Darrin and tries to lead a typical suburban life—much more said than done when spells, broomsticks, and oddball magical relatives are involved—was the focus of the 1964–1972 television series.
Tabitha Stephens, Samantha and Darrin’s daughter, is born halfway through the series and quickly reveals that she has inherited her mother’s magical skills. Little Tabitha instantly won over the hearts of viewers by becoming a scene-stealing addition to the show with a simple twitch of her nose or wriggle of her finger.
Few were aware, however, that Diane and Erin Murphy, identical twins, played the charming little Tabitha instead of a single child actress.
Twins are frequently cast for child roles in films and television shows, particularly when the character is extremely young. Having twins enables the production to double the amount of time available for filming because labour rules limit the number of hours a child actor may work. Born in June 1964, Diane and Erin Murphy were cast as baby Tabitha at the age of just a few months.
Although some infant sequences reportedly used other babies as well before the twins were locked into the part, they started alternating in the role after the character was introduced in Season 2. Because of her greater similarity to Elizabeth Montgomery (Samantha), producers ultimately decided to cast Erin Murphy in the role full-time by the fourth season. Erin also appeared more at ease in front of the camera and on set.
Erin Murphy had many happy recollections of her time on Bewitched, even though she was very young at the time. She has discussed the welcoming, familial atmosphere on set in interviews. On and off film, Elizabeth Montgomery in particular was renowned for being protective, caring, and sympathetic to the young actress.
Working on Bewitched never seemed like work, as Erin has frequently stated. She enjoyed playing on set, interacting with the actors and crew, and experiencing something genuinely amazing, both literally and figuratively. A lot of fans also recall the episodes in which Tabitha first experiments with her magical abilities, resulting in endearing and humorous scenes that are still cherished to this day.
Erin was eight years old in 1972, when Bewitched came to an end. For a brief period, she kept performing, making appearances in more than 100 ads, guest spots, and modelling jobs. However, at the age of 13, she made the decision to completely give up acting.
Erin stated in subsequent interviews that all she wanted was a typical childhood, complete with friends, school, and a life away from the spotlight. Erin transitioned into everyday life with ease, unlike many child stars of her era. After attending public school, she pursued a range of employment options as an adult.
Erin Murphy is a television host, public speaker, businesswoman, and mother today. She has operated a company in the alpaca sector, worked in fashion, and even done stunt double work and cosmetics. In addition, she has hosted infomercials and appeared as a guest on discussion shows and films that explore classic TV like Bewitched.
She still accepts the character that made her famous and is incredibly grateful for her time on the show. Erin frequently visits conventions and fan gatherings with a Bewitched theme, where she connects with devoted series fans and shares behind-the-scenes experiences.
What about Diane, her sister? Although she briefly played Tabitha in her early years, Diane decided to live a very secluded life following Bewitched and is rarely seen in public.
One of the most recognisable TV kids in sitcom history is still Tabitha. She stood out on Bewitched because of her naive use of magic, wide-eyed wonder, and charming nature, particularly in later seasons when the show’s emphasis occasionally veered more towards family dynamics than witchcraft.
Erin Murphy did not return to the role, but Tabitha’s popularity even spawned a brief spin-off series in the late 1970s. The show, which lasted only one season, showed an adult Tabitha working at a television station.
The allure of Samantha and Tabitha endures in reruns, DVDs, and streaming services even after Bewitched concluded, decades later. Erin Murphy is a television classic who will always represent magical mischief and youthful wonder to viewers of the show.