Former child actress Alexandra Artrip has broken her silence after being recast alongside Evan Rachel Wood in Practical Magic 2, which hit theaters this week. Artrip and Wood originally starred as sisters Antonia and Kylie Owens in the 1998 romance fantasy classic Practical Magic, but their roles have been taken over by Maisie Williams and Joey King in the new sequel.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with the Daily Mail, Artrip revealed that she first learned about the controversial casting decision through news articles sent by family and friends rather than a call from movie executives. Artrip explained that news of the project reached her the same way it reached the general public.
The new film sees Joey King and Maisie Williams take over as the daughters of Sandra Bullock's character, Sally Owens. While the recasting has sparked debate among long time fans of the original movie, Artrip shared that she harbored no ill will regarding the decision to replace her.
The original 1998 film Practical Magic, directed by Griffin Dunne and based on Alice Hoffman's 1995 novel of the same name, has long held a cult status among fans of romantic fantasy. The story follows two witch sisters, played by Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman, who navigate love while dealing with a family curse. Kidman has reprised her role as aunt Gillian Owens alongside Bullock in the new sequel.
Artrip admitted that she never anticipated receiving a call from Bullock, Kidman, or the production team when rumors of a sequel began circulating. Having stepped away from acting decades ago, she expected the production to move forward with a fresh cast for the grown up characters.
Career Transition and Life in Dallas
Artrip explained that her time in the entertainment industry was brief, lasting less than a year during her childhood. She decided to step away from Hollywood shortly after completing work on the 1998 original.
"I basically retired after I did Practical Magic," Artrip 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."
Today, Artrip works as a sales and marketing professional and lives a quiet life in Dallas, Texas, with her husband and children. Dallas, the third largest city in Texas and a major commercial center in the American South, has served as her home far removed from the red carpets of Los Angeles.
Despite leaving public life behind, Artrip recently created an Instagram account to reconnect with fans of the original movie and share memories from her time on set. The classic film continues to generate nostalgia, particularly around the autumn season when fans revisit the story of the Owens family.
In 2025, Artrip made one final public attempt to join the sequel when she posted a message on Facebook expressing her enthusiasm for the project. She wrote at the time that she would be absolutely honored to return for a cameo or to attend the premiere for Practical Magic 2, though the request never materialized into an offer.
Social Media Activity and Cast Contact
Artrip expressed zero resentment over remaining uncontacted by studio casting agents. She noted that her long absence from the industry made her an unlikely candidate for a return.
"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. I've been incognito until a month ago."
Her only recent interaction with any member of the original cast occurred during the summer on Instagram. Sandra Bullock, 62, left a comment on one of Artrip's posts, marking their sole direct contact in recent years. Bullock, an Academy Award winning actress known for hit films such as Speed, Miss Congeniality, and The Blind Side, starred as Artrip's on screen mother in the 1998 production.
Artrip also noted that recasting the roles made narrative sense given the ages and lifespans of the characters in the sequel's storyline. She explained that from the storyline presented in the new film, viewers can deduce where Antonia and Kylie are in their lives as adults.
Reactions to Recasting and Future Plans
Her calm perspective contrasts with that of her former on screen sister, Evan Rachel Wood, 39. Wood publicly voiced her disappointment regarding the recasting on Instagram Stories in July 2025, writing that the decision was not in her control or her choice and that she would have happily rejoined her sisters.
Wood, who earned Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for her performance as Dolores Abernathy in HBO's sci-fi series Westworld and gained early acclaim in the 2003 film Thirteen, has remained a prominent figure in Hollywood. Artrip acknowledged that Wood's position as an active actress shapes her reaction to being replaced.
"I get where she's coming from," Artrip told the Daily Mail regarding Wood's comments. "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."
Artrip offered full support to Maisie Williams, who takes over the role of Antonia Owens in the sequel. Williams achieved global recognition for her performance as Arya Stark in HBO's epic fantasy series Game of Thrones, receiving two Emmy nominations for the role. Meanwhile, Joey King, who replaces Wood as Kylie, built a major following through Netflix's hit romantic comedy franchise The Kissing Booth and critically acclaimed work in The Act.
Artrip expressed pride in having contributed to the character's early origins on screen. "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," Artrip said. "But I can't wait to see how she portrays the character as a young adult."
Artrip confirmed that she plans to buy a movie ticket to support Practical Magic 2 during its theatrical run. Reflecting on her youth, she recalled fond memories of working on set and expressed gratitude for her lasting connection to a story that remains cherished by audiences worldwide.
