Stockard Channing made a rare departure from her under-the-radar routine on Wednesday when she walked the red carpet at the European premiere of Practical Magic 2 in London.
The 82-year-old actress arrived at the Odeon Luxe Leicester Square in what was her first red carpet appearance in two years. She recently opened up about living a reclusive life in the United Kingdom after relocating from the United States.
Channing was lured back into the spotlight to celebrate the sequel to the 1998 fantasy film Practical Magic. She reprises her role as Frances Owens, a witch and aunt to the film's main characters.
The event served as a sweet reunion for the veteran cast. Channing embraced and held hands with her 78-year-old costar Dianne Wiest, who returns to play her sister, aunt Bridget 'Jet' Owens.
For the premiere, Channing cut an elegant figure in a dark blue navy suit. She contrasted the look with a white button-up blouse that was left undone at the top to highlight her jewellery.
She wore a thick, chain-like necklace that terminated in a large silver ring, and added extra sparkle with a pair of enormous dangling silver earrings that hung down past her shoulders.
The stage and screen star completed her look with black platform shoes and a dark leather bag. She wore her highlighted brunette hair in thick waves that framed her taut visage.
Practical Magic sequel
The new film reunites original stars Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman as Sally and Gillian Owens respectively. They play a pair of sisters descended from a long line of witches who suffer from a curse that kills any man they truly love.
They are joined in the sequel by Joey King and Maisie Williams, who star as the daughters of Bullock's character. Lee Pace also joins the series as a scholar studying witchcraft who falls in love with Sally.
The film's director, Susanne Bieber, attended the red carpet alongside cast members Solly McLeod and Xolo Mariduena.
Channing rose to fame decades earlier playing Rizzo in the 1978 musical film Grease, becoming the epitome of Americana. She later introduced herself to a new generation by playing First Lady Abbey Bartlet in the political drama The West Wing.
London relocation
Despite being famous for those roles and numerous others across film, television and theatre, the New York-born star revealed earlier this month that she is happy with her quiet life in London.
In an interview with the Sunday Times Magazine, Channing detailed how she relocated to the United Kingdom from Maine in 2019. The move followed the devastating 2014 death of the cinematographer and producer Dan Gillham, her partner of more than two decades.
"I'm happy being a recluse," she told the publication, noting that she has lived alone for over a decade since Gillham died.
"Children were thought about and, yeah, I think about them now because it'd be great to have someone taking care of me," Channing said. "But hey, children can be just as selfish as everybody else out there."
The Daily Mail has reached out to Channing for comment.
Political shifts
The actress said the loss of her partner was a primary catalyst for her move abroad. The pair began their relationship in 1990 and remained together until his passing.
She told the magazine that his death "was more devastating than I realized; it had a lag effect. The pattern of my life shifted, so I shifted my life from Maine."
Channing added that President Donald Trump's election was another reason for her departure, alongside broader changes in the United States.
"It vaguely coincided with Trump getting elected and the way politics has changed in the US," she said.
Reflecting on her time starring in a fictional White House, she noted: "People look at The West Wing and go, 'Wow, wasn't it great when politicians had an ounce of integrity?'"
Stage debut
Channing has been married and divorced four times over her decades-long career. She wed her first husband, wood sculptor Walter Channing Jr, in 1963, before they split in 1967.
She tied the knot with professor Paul Schmidt in 1970, and they divorced after six years. Her third marriage was to the writer and producer David Deblin, whom she was with from 1976 to 1980.
Channing then wed businessman David Rawle in 1980, and they went their separate ways eight years later.
She is currently making her theatrical directorial debut with a production of the one-act play Krapp's Last Tape, which is receiving a run at the Edinburgh Festival.
The 1958 Samuel Beckett classic features David Westhead in the title role of a 69-year-old man reflecting on his life through old tape recordings.
Channing's decision to direct the piece is rooted in her friendship and creative partnership with Rawle, and their desire to raise funds for The Wembley to Soweto Foundation.
