Original Practical Magic Child Star Alexandra Artrip Speaks Out on Sequel Recasting

Alexandra Artrip, who played Antonia — the youngest daughter of Sandra Bullock's character Sally Owens — in the 1998 film Practical Magic, has asked fans to stop directing negativity at the actresses taking over roles in the sequel.

Artrip, now retired from acting, posted a video to her Instagram account responding to criticism of the Practical Magic 2 recasting decisions. She told followers she did not want her social media space to become "a place of negativity" over the new casting, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Maisie Williams and Joey King have been cast in Practical Magic 2 as Antonia and Kylie, respectively — the two Owens daughters played as children by Artrip and Evan Rachel Wood in the original film. Wood, who played the older Kylie, said she was not asked to return for the sequel and was told the role was being recast. She wished King the best while speaking with Entertainment Tonight.

King, for her part, said she had a "lovely conversation" with Wood following that interview, in a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter at the Practical Magic 2 Los Angeles premiere. Artrip also heard from King directly, describing the actress as a "sweetheart" in comments reported by Variety.

Artrip called Williams and King "lovely actresses" and said she believes the Practical Magic 2 production team did what they thought was best for the film. She also expressed excitement about a new Practical Magic novel and new content arriving in 2026.

For the original cast, much of the Owens family is returning. Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman reprise their roles as sisters Sally and Gillian Owens. Dianne Wiest and Stockard Channing return as Aunt Jet and Aunt Franny. The sequel is directed by Susanne Bier and arrives in theatres on 11 September.

Wood has noted that the sequel is "not following the book," a detail she shared in a separate interview with The Hollywood Reporter in late July.

Williams and King, the two new arrivals, have spoken about the weight of stepping into an established story. The pair felt a "massive responsibility" joining the production, Deadline reported earlier this week.

What stands out here is the grace on all sides. An actress who left the profession decades ago, a predecessor who was quietly replaced, and the newcomers stepping into their shoes have each spoken publicly with warmth rather than grievance. Artrip's video was the latest and perhaps most direct appeal to fans upset on her behalf — a reminder that the people who made these characters are not the ones generating the anger.