<\/p>\n
Gracie Cochrane won\u2019t be enrolling in Hogwarts this fall. <\/p>\n
HBO announced that Cochrane will depart the upcoming \u201cHarry Potter\u201d series ahead of Season 2. Cochrane played Ron Weasley\u2019s (Alastair Stout) younger sister, Ginny, in \u201cHarry Potter and the Philosopher\u2019s Stone.\u201d Cochrane and her family attributed the \u201cchallenging decision\u201d to \u201cunforeseen circumstances.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHer time as part of the \u2018Harry Potter\u2019 world has been truly wonderful, and she is deeply grateful to [casting director] Lucy Bevan and the entire production team for creating such an unforgettable experience,\u201d the Cochrane family said in a statement. \u201cGracie is very excited about the opportunities her future holds.\u201d<\/p>\n
HBO said they \u201cwish Gracie and her family the best.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe support Gracie Cochrane and her family\u2019s decision not to return for the next season of HBO\u2019s \u2018Harry Potter\u2019 series, and we are grateful for her work on season one of the show,\u201d HBO wrote in a statement.<\/p>\n
Tristan Harland, Gabriel Harland, Ruari Spooner, Gracie Cochrane and Alastair Stout.<\/p>\n
(HBO)<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n
The HBO series was greenlit<\/a> for a second season in early May, months ahead of its Christmas Day premiere later this year. If the sophomore season follows J.K. Rowling\u2019s second book, \u201cHarry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets\u201d (the first season is adapted from the first novel), Ginny will begin her first year at Hogwarts in Season 2.<\/p>\n Cochrane was cast following a massive undertaking by HBO to find young actors for the show. HBO reviewed more than 32,000 auditions before selecting Dominic McLaughlin to play the boy who lived. The cast was filled out with West End performers, like Arabella Stanton (Hermione Granger), first-time actors like Amos Kitson (Dudley Dursley) and longtime stars including John Lithgow, who will play Albus Dumbledore. <\/p>\n HBO Chairman Casey Bloys explained that they expected a lot of \u201cinterest\u201d in the cast because of the cultural prominence of the \u201cHarry Potter\u201d franchise.<\/p>\n \u201cInterest can tip over into more unpleasant and aggressive behavior,\u201d Bloys told Deadline<\/a>, alluding to racist backlash over the casting of Paapa Essiedu<\/a> as Professor Snape. \u201cWe talked to them about what to expect … but any kind of security that\u2019s needed is an unfortunate aspect of doing IP shows. We just try to be mindful and monitor it.\u201d<\/p>\n