It’s been nearly 30 years since Practical Magic first cast its spell on audiences. And this September, the Owens sisters are finally back. But this time, there’s a new generation of witches stepping into the spotlight—and leading the charge is none other than Maisie Williams.
The Game of Thrones star, who spent nearly a decade embodying the fierce and unforgettable Arya Stark, is trading her sword for a spellbook. She’s taking on the role of Antonia Owens, the grown-up daughter of Sandra Bullock’s Sally Owens, in the long-awaited Practical Magic 2.
So, what do we know about Williams’ magical return? Let’s break it down.
A New Chapter for the Owens Family
Set 25 years after the events of the 1998 cult classic, Practical Magic 2 follows Sally Owens’ (Bullock) daughters, Kylie and Antonia, as they discover their supernatural ancestry. A new crisis strikes the Owens family, forcing the clan to band together to confront dark forces.
Williams joins Joey King as her on-screen sister, with the pair taking over roles originally played by Evan Rachel Wood and Alexandra Artrip in the original film. Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman are both reprising their iconic roles as sisters Sally and Gillian Owens, alongside returning aunts played by Dianne Wiest and Stockard Channing. The sequel is directed by Susanne Bier (Bird Box) and based on Alice Hoffman’s 2021 novel The Book of Magic.
The Weight of the Wand: Stepping Into Beloved Roles
Taking over a character from a beloved film isn’t easy—and Williams knows it.
Speaking at the 2026 Teen Vogue Fest, she admitted that joining such a stacked cast was “a little bit terrifying”. “You want to be on your A-game and are working with legends,” she explained. Joey King echoed the sentiment, telling People that “when you love something as much as we already love Practical Magic, there’s just massive responsibility of joining the team and wanting to do it justice”.
Williams also opened up about the intimidation of working alongside Hollywood icons like Bullock and Kidman. “I feel like I blacked out the first time I met them,” she quipped to Digital Spy. “I came back around, and I was in the car going home and I just thought, ‘Whoa, what just happened.’ They are just amazing”.
Despite the nerves, she described the experience as a “dream job” and promised that “fans are going to love it”.
A Witchy Wardrobe and a Modern Twist
Williams’ Antonia Owens is described as having a more 1950s-inspired on-screen style—”a lot of lace, whimsical colors”. It’s a fitting aesthetic for a character who, in Alice Hoffman’s source material, is a lesbian med student in love with a woman named Ariel. The sequel appears to be embracing that representation, adding a contemporary layer to the Owens family’s magical legacy.
And for fans wondering about the infamous Owens family curse—the one that kills the men they love—it’s still very much in play. The trailer shows Kylie attempting to fix it herself, only to end up on a darker path.
Beyond the Broomstick: What Else Is Williams Up To?
While Practical Magic 2 is undoubtedly her biggest project of the year, Williams has been keeping busy.
She recently starred in 500 Miles, a road-trip drama alongside Bill Nighy, which is already out in UK cinemas. She’s also set to appear in the high-concept thriller Ignition, where her character’s car is rigged to explode, and has boarded the cast of Julius Berg’s thriller The Owners.
On the audio front, Williams reunited with her Game of Thrones co-star Lena Headey for Intimacy, an eight-part audio drama for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds that explores the vulnerability of being an actor.
And in a moment of well-deserved recognition, she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Arts from Bath Spa University in July 2026. Not bad for a girl who got her start as a child star on Game of Thrones 15 years ago.
The magic;
Maisie Williams has come a long way from Winterfell. From Arya Stark to Antonia Owens, she continues to reinvent herself, taking on roles that challenge her and excite audiences. Practical Magic 2 represents not just a return to fantasy, but a chance to honor a beloved story while making it her own.
The film hits theaters on September 11, 2026. Whether you’re a longtime fan of the Owens sisters or just curious to see Williams weave her magic, one thing’s for sure: the coven is back, and it’s stronger than ever.
