Gracie Cochrane will not return for the second season of HBO’s Harry Potter series, ending her run as Ginny Weasley just as production on the first season was wrapping. Cochrane and her family said she made the “challenging decision” to step away from the role after season one because of unforeseen circumstances.
They said her time in the Harry Potter world was “truly wonderful” and that she was deeply grateful to Lucy Bevan and the entire production team for creating an unforgettable experience. The family also said Cochrane is very excited about the opportunities her future holds.
HBO said it supports Cochrane and her family’s decision not to return for the next season and is grateful for her work on season one. The network’s statement also wished her and her family the best. The change comes after the Harry Potter series was officially renewed for a second season earlier in the month of the report, with production on the new installment expected to begin in the fall.
The series is one of HBO’s highest-profile projects, a new adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s books written and executive produced by Francesca Gardiner, with Mark Mylod as executive producer and director of multiple episodes. J.K. Rowling, Neil Blair, Ruth Kenley-Letts and David Heyman also executive produce the show, which is being made by HBO in association with Brontë Film and TV and Warner Bros. Television and will air on HBO and stream exclusively on HBO Max.
Cochrane played Ginny Weasley in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, and the character matters because Ginny is Ron Weasley’s little sister and becomes a key part of the story around the titular hero. Alastair Stout plays Ron in the series. The casting pool for the young ensemble was huge, with the kids selected from tens of thousands of submissions. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone is being released on Christmas, keeping the franchise in view even as the television version prepares to move forward without Cochrane. That means the answer to the immediate question is simple: she is out for Season 2, and HBO is already moving ahead.
