‘Harry Potter’ HBO Series to Recast Ginny Weasley in Season 2 as Child Actor Exits Due to ‘Unforeseen Circumstances’

HBO‘s “Harry Potter” series is set to conjure up a new Ginny Weasley after child actor Gracie Cochrane exited the role.

“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 1,” Cochrane and her family said in a joint statement. “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.”

Related Stories

Barbra Streisand Unable to Attend Cannes Closing Ceremony to Accept Honorary Palme d'Or After Knee Injury

Brillante Mendoza Casts Judy Ann Santos, Jeanne Balibar and Stacy Martin in 'Aid'; Fire & Ice, Ghost City, Human Films Producing (EXCLUSIVE)

A rep 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.”

Ginny Weasley is only a minor presence in the first book, “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” when she appears by her mother’s side at Kings Cross station to wave off her older siblings as they board the train to their school of witchcraft and wizardry and then welcomes them when they return.

However the character has a key role in Season 2, which is based on the second book in J.K. Rowling’s series, “The Chamber of Secrets,” when Ginny – the younger sister of Harry’s best friend Ron — is tricked into opening a secret room in Hogwarts castle and releasing a murderous giant serpent.

The first season has now wrapped and will be released this Christmas while the second season is currently in pre-production at Leavesden Studios outside London.