Joey King and Maisie Williams said joining Practical Magic 2 alongside Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman carried heavy expectations, describing a close offscreen bond built during filming in London ahead of the sequel's September cinema release.
TL;DR
- King and Williams discussed the pressure of stepping into a beloved franchise as the next generation of Owens witches.
- They described a close friendship with Bullock and Kidman off set, including a sleepover at Bullock's house.
- Practical Magic 2 filmed in London and arrives in UK and Irish cinemas on 11 September 2026.
- The sequel is based on Alice Hoffman's novel The Book of Magic.
A franchise the actresses grew up loving
Actress Joey King and actress Maisie Williams play Kylie and Antonia Owens, the grown daughters of Sally Owens, in the long-awaited sequel to the 1998 cult classic. Speaking to PEOPLE, King said stepping into a franchise she has loved since childhood came with pressure to "do it justice."
At a panel for the 2026 Teen Vogue Fest in Brooklyn on July 25, Williams told moderator Chloe Malle that acting opposite Bullock and Kidman felt intimidating at first, according to Just Jared. She said the experience was "a little bit terrifying" but also a chance to learn from two actors she called legends.
A friendship that grew off set
The bond between the four actors reportedly extended beyond filming. According to PEOPLE, Bullock hosted King and Williams for a "midnight margaritas moment" followed by a sleepover, capped the next morning with time in her hot tub. King, who previously worked with Kidman on A Family Affair, said the reunion gave her another chance to collaborate with the Oscar winner.
Williams added that a message from Bullock helped calm her nerves before filming began, recalling that Bullock signed off as "your mother" and describing her as one of the kindest people in Hollywood.
What UK fans need to know
Practical Magic 2 was filmed on location in London, and Warner Bros. has confirmed it will open in UK and Irish cinemas on 11 September 2026, according to HeyUGuys and ODEON. A BBFC rating had not been published at the time of writing.
Cast and story
The sequel is directed by Susanne Bier and is based on Alice Hoffman's 2021 novel The Book of Magic, according to Wikipedia. Dianne Wiest and Stockard Channing return as Aunt Jet and Aunt Franny, joined by Lee Pace, Xolo Maridueña and Solly McLeod, according to an AOL cast announcement citing a Warner Bros. press release.
Reported from publicly available interviews and verified press sources. Last reviewed July 29, 2026.
