Original ‘Practical Magic’ Star Alexandra Artrip Addresses ‘Negativity’ Over Recasting in Sequel: They ‘Did What They Thought Was Best to Be Successful’

Alexandra Artrip, who played the youngest daughter of Sandra Bullock’s character Sally Owens in 1998’s “Practical Magic,” has weighed in on the sequel’s decision to recast her and fellow original actor Evan Rachel Wood in the upcoming sequel. Artrip played Antonia Owens alongside Wood as her older sister Kylie, but their roles were given to younger actresses Maisie Williams and Joey King, respectively, in “Practical Magic 2.” Wood spoke out about the recasting earlier in the week, saying that “no one who worked on the original movie” reached out to her. She said that she did hear from King, who took over her role as Kylie, and that she was a “sweetheart.” Artrip posted a video on Instagram and responded to comments criticizing the recastings. “I love hearing your stories and connections to the film, but I get comments like this a lot, and I see them going on a lot of content around the sequel,” Artrip said. “I think the sentiment is right, people are trying to show support for Evan and myself and the original film and everything it’s meant to so many people, but I just don’t want my stuff to be a space for negativity. Maisie and Joey are lovely actresses, and I’m sure the production team did what they thought was best for the film to be successful.” Popular on Variety She added, “I just think we should support the film, give it a shot, go in with an open mind. Nothing can take away from what the original film was, and I’m excited that we’re able to build on that world with a new novel, new content in 2026, and that it’s given me a space to revisit all those beloved memories all these years later.” “Practical Magic 2” director Susanne Bier also weighed in on the recastings, telling Variety at the premiere that it was “not personal.” “The kids in the story are right out of college, so it wasn’t really a question,” she said. “We had to recast and we had to get some kids that [had been out of college].” “Practical Magic 2” opens in theaters on Sept. 10.