Harry Potter makers to recast Ginny Weasley as Gracie Cochrane quits after season 1

L-Gracie Cochrane; R- Gracie with the cast of Harry Potter (Pics/ Instagram)

The new Harry Potter is set to cast a new actor for the character Ginny Weasley after child actor Gracie Cochrane exited the role. While she will be seen playing the youngest red-head of the Weasley family, second season onwards, a new face will be seen playing the role.

Gracie Cochrane quits Harry Potter

Gracie exited the show after wrapping season one. An official statement by her family read, "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".

The statement further read, "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".

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 King's 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.

About the Harry Potter series

The series stars Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, with Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley. The ensemble cast of the series also includes John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape and Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid, among others.

The show is gearing up to stream exclusively on HBO Max in regions where the platform is available, including newly added regions like Germany, Italy, the UK and Ireland.