:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/harry-potter-weasleys-hbo-081925-4dd281c64a9c4062b155072c33ca9659.jpg "Harry Potter series to recast a Weasley ahead of season 2 due to 'unforeseen circumstances'")
&34;We support Gracie Cochrane and her family's decision not to return for the next season,&34; HBO said in a statement. Harry Potter series to recast a Weasley ahead of season 2 due to 'unforeseen circumstances' &34;We support Gracie Cochrane and her family's decision not to return for the next season,&34; HBO said in a statement. By Shania Russell :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/ShaniaRussellauthorphoto5934b684845d480caa4485648c39ef2b.jpg) Shania Russell Shania Russell is a news writer at , with five years of experience. Her work has previously appeared in SlashFilm and Paste Magazine.
"We support Gracie Cochrane and her family's decision not to return for the next season," HBO said in a statement.
Harry Potter series to recast a Weasley ahead of season 2 due to 'unforeseen circumstances'
"We support Gracie Cochrane and her family's decision not to return for the next season," HBO said in a statement.
By Shania Russell
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Shania-Russell-author-photo-5934b684845d480caa4485648c39ef2b.jpg)
Shania Russell
Shania Russell is a news writer at *, *with five years of experience. Her work has previously appeared in SlashFilm and Paste Magazine.
EW's editorial guidelines
May 18, 2026 3:11 p.m. ET
Leave a Comment
Tristan Harland, Gabriel Harland, Ruari Spooner, Gracie Cochrane, and Alastair Stout; James Phelps, Rupert Grint, Bonnie Wright, and Oliver Phelps. Credit:
Courtesy of HBO; Warner Bros./courtesy Everett Collection
- HBO's *Harry Potter* series will recast a major season 2 role before filming begins.
- Gracie Cochrane, the child star playing Ginny Weasley in season 1, is exiting the show due to "unforeseen circumstances."
- "We support Gracie Cochrane and her family’s decision not to return for the next season," HBO said in a statement provided to **.
*Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone* is losing one of its central redheads.
The upcoming HBO series will recast the role of Ginny Weasley ahead of season 2. While child actress Gracie Cochrane will appear as Ginny in the debut season, she will not return for the second installment of the TV adaptation.
"Due to unforeseen circumstances Gracie has made the challenging decision to step away from her role as Ginny Weasley in the HBO *Harry Potter *series after season one," Cochrane and her family said in a joint statement provided to **. "Her time as part of the *Harry Potter* world has been truly wonderful, and she is deeply grateful to Lucy Bevan and the entire production team for creating such an unforgettable experience. Gracie is very excited about the opportunities her future holds."
In a separate statement, a spokesperson for HBO said, "We support Gracie Cochrane and her family’s decision not to return for the next season of HBO’s Harry Potter series, and we are grateful for her work on season one of the show. We wish Gracie and her family the best."
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Harry-Potter-and-the-Philosophers-Stone-Alastair-Stout-032526-2a4ace99a5ab4b02871a1c035a058d2c.jpg)
Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley on 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone'.
Aidan Monaghan/HBO
Ginny is the younger sister of Harry's best friend, Ron Weasley (Alastair Stout), and a fellow Gryffindor. Cochrane’s casting was first unveiled in August 2025 alongside the rest of the Weasley siblings, which includes Tristan Harland as Fred Weasley, Gabriel Harland as George Weasley, and Ruari Spooner as Percy Weasley.
'Harry Potter' stars Bonnie Wright, James and Oliver Phelps reunite for Weasley 'family dinner'
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Harry-Potter-and-the-Order-of-the-Phoenix-102025-a578cdc57f6b4689b44021d95de6ddc1.jpg)
Original Ginny Weasley offers important advice for 'Harry Potter' TV series actors
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/bonnie-wright-Harry-Potter-and-the-Half-Blood-Prince-050525-9247b8ebc4a24cb79a97736cf0e399f6.jpg)
Notably, Ginny, who was played by Bonnie Wright in the film series, is a very minor presence in the first book and movie, *Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone*. She appears briefly by her mother's side when the Weasley clan arrives at Kings Cross station to drop off the older siblings for a new year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It isn't until the second entry in the franchise that Ginny has a significant role to play, when she heads off to Hogwarts herself.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Harry-Potter-and-the-Chamber-of-Secrets-Bonnie-Wright-Daniel-Radcliffe-051826-3a19bc7959634ac980349a609fa2743c.jpg)
Bonnie Wright as Ginny Weasley and Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter in 'Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets'.
Peter Mountain/Warner Bros.
In the second book,* The Chamber of Secrets*, Ginny becomes involved in a scheme to open the mysterious chamber after coming into contact with Voldemort's diary. From there, Ginny is in every subsequent entry in the franchise. Later books see her aid the Golden Trio with some of their antics, join in the fight against Voldemort, and, eventually, become Harry's central love interest.
***Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our ******EW Dispatch newsletter******.***
The recasting news comes just two weeks after the *Harry Potter* series* *was renewed for a second season, with production set to kick off this fall.
The cast led by Dominic McLaughlin as the titular Boy Who Lived, with Stout and Arabella Stanton as his best friends, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, respectively.
*Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone *is scheduled to premiere on Christmas.
- Film Worlds & Fandoms
- Harry Potter Fandom
Source: "EW Harry"
Source: Harry
Published: May 19, 2026 at 04:38AM on Source: PRIME TIME
#ShowBiz#Sports#Celebrities#Lifestyle