Snubbed star breaks silence after being left out of Practical Magic sequel and replaced by another actress

The highly anticipated Practical Magic sequel hit theaters this week – but two cast members from the original 1998 romance fantasy film are noticeably absent from it.

Evan Rachel Wood and Alexandra Artrip, who played sisters Kylie and Antonia Owens, respectively, have been recast, with Joey King and Maisie Williams now playing the daughters of Sandra Bullock’s character Sally Owens.

In an exclusive interview with the Daily Mail, Artrip has spoken for the first time at length about the controversial casting decision, which she said she learned about via the press.

‘There had been rumors circling around for a while [about a sequel], and all my friends and family obviously knew I was in the first one, so anytime an article came up about it, I [would get] flooded with the links,’ the former child star said.

‘When it got green-lit, I just got sent an article like everybody else.’

But Artrip explained that she didn’t expect to hear from Bullock, Nicole Kidman, who reprised her role as her ‘aunt’ and fellow witch Gillian Owens, or others who worked on the original because she left the entertainment business long ago.

Former child stars Alexandra Artrip (left) and Evan Rachel Wood (right) were not asked to return for the sequel of the 1998 romance fantasy film Practical Magic

The Daily Mail spoke exclusively with Artrip (left in the movie and right recently), who played Antonia in the original film, about the casting decisions regarding Practical Magic 2

‘I basically retired after I did Practical Magic,’ she said. ‘I only acted for about nine months.

‘I retired and just kind of went back to a normal childhood, and then when I graduated college, I briefly went out to LA and auditioned a little bit and decided to just go into corporate life and have a normal life and family and kids.’

The now-married sales and marketing professional has been living a quiet life in Dallas with her husband and kids but recently formed an Instagram profile as a way to reconnect with Practical Magic fans and reminisce about her time on set. 

In 2025, she made one final bid on Facebook in the hopes of being involved in the sequel in some capacity, writing in part: ‘I would be absolutely honored to return for a cameo or to attend the premiere for #PracticalMagic2’ but that never came to fruition.

‘I never expected to be involved, so it would have been a big shock to me if I got an email or a call,’ Artrip told the Daily Mail. 

‘I don’t think anyone even knew I was alive a month ago,’ she added with a laugh. ‘I’ve been incognito until a month ago.’

The ex-child star said the only interaction she’s had with any of the original cast in recent years was a brief social media exchange this summer on Instagram when Bullock, 62, commented on one of her posts.

Aside from losing touch and leaving Hollywood, Artrip said a recasting also made sense because of the ages Antonia and Kylie are meant to be in the sequel.

‘The characters – I don’t remember their exact age – but [from] their storyline, you can deduce their ages and where they are in life,’ she said. 

‘I don’t think anyone even knew I was alive a month ago,’ Artrip told the Daily Mail with a laugh, adding that she learned about the sequel when relatives sent her a news article

Wood (left in the movie and right recently) has publicly shared her disappointment about the recasting, and Artrip said in response: ‘I get where she’s coming from’

Joey King (left) reprised Wood’s character Kylie, while Maisie Williams (right) reprised Artrip’s character Antonio in Practical Magic 2. The sequel is out now in theaters

Artrip has continuously taken the high road in the recasting discourse.

However, Wood, 39, was more outspoken with her disappointment, candidly writing via her Instagram Stories in July 2025: ‘It was not in my control or my choice. I would have happily rejoined my sisters.’ 

Artrip told the Daily Mail that she understands Wood’s frustrations on the matter.

‘I get where she’s coming from,’ she told us. ‘I think her perspective is going to be different because she’s active [in the industry]. It’s not really anything that came up for me because I live a different life now.’

As for Williams, who took over her original character, Artrip sends only well-wishes and said she likes to think her mark on Antonia will still appear in the sequel.

‘Maybe I influenced the casting or the inspiration, but I kind of see it as I got to play Antonia in one chapter of her story and if that serves as any source of inspiration for Maisie … then I just feel like what an honor,’ she said. ‘But I can’t wait to see how she portrays the character as a young adult.’

Artrip said she will definitely be buying a ticket to see Practical Magic 2.

‘I have such fond memories of being on set. I loved working on the film,’ she gushed. ‘It’s just such a gift to have a connection to this franchise that’s beloved by so many.’

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