Sister act: Joey King, Maisie Williams find real-life bond

Joey King and Maisie Williams are playing sisters in Practical Magic 2. The two actresses found a genuine friendship while bringing the next generation of the Owens family to life.

“Wait, how have we not known each other forever?”

That was King’s reaction to meeting Williams and discovering how naturally they connected while filming the sequel. “I’ve had the pleasure of working with Maisie Williams on this movie, and she and I have become so, so close. I’m like, ‘Wait, how have we not known each other forever?’” shares King.

The actresses play Kylie and Antonia, the grown-up daughters of Sally Owens, played by Sandra Bullock. Their characters inherit the same contrasting dynamic that defined Sally and Gillian, portrayed by Bullock and Nicole Kidman in the original 1998 film.

For Williams, that familiar push-and-pull between sisters is at the heart of the story.

“The pairs of Owens sisters throughout all the generations are very yin and yang, and they balance each other out in a really beautiful way, whilst also being very, very different,” says Williams. “They have this beautiful bond and connection with one another. I think the way that a lot of women can connect to. And I think they celebrate their differences whilst also being able to laugh at one another and themselves through it. That sisterhood really resonates with me.”

King says the closeness she developed with Williams reminded her of her own relationships with her sisters.

“This was our first time working together, and it’s so special when you get to play sisters with someone that you really, really vibe with. Because the way that I am with my real-life sisters, we’re best friends. We never shut up and have so much to talk about, and that’s kind of how Maisie and I are.”

Their connection also gave Williams a supportive creative partner as both actresses drew from their experiences of growing up in the entertainment industry.

“She’s like my big sister in lots of ways and has given me a lot of really beautiful advice and just really looked after me,” shares Williams. “We’ve also just had great jokes and been very silly. I think it’s hard sometimes to find a friendship connection in a working environment, because it’s a professional place. And it’s not to say that friendships have to be completely ridiculous and silly, but being able to break through that as two young women who have grown up in the industry and have needed to be a little protective. To be able to just drop those walls with one another and just be completely vulnerable has been so lovely.”

The actresses also had the chance to work alongside the stars of the original Practical Magic. For King, sharing the screen with Bullock and Kidman added another layer to the experience.

“It was amazing to share this time and the screen with Sandy and Nicole. Getting to work with Nicole again while she reprised a character that means so much to me, was so, so cool,” says King, who previously worked with Kidman in A Family Affair.

King also praised Bullock for creating a welcoming atmosphere on set.

“It was a privilege to see how they work. Sandy’s one of the nicest people I’ve ever met in my life. She’s so funny, and also so protective, like you are with your family. It’s just been great, because there’s this real true familial feeling between all of us. Like a family, we teased each other so much, and it’s just been really, really fun.”

Seeing Bullock and Kidman return as Sally and Gillian was particularly surreal for King.

“And they’re just so good. Getting to see them be Sally and Gillian right in front of my face was like absolutely insane. It was amazing watching what they brought to their characters. It’s like, I was watching one of my favorite movies play out right in front of me. And I just can’t believe my luck that I got to do that.”

Directed by Susanne Bier, Practical Magic 2 also stars Lee Pace, Xolo Maridueña, Solly McLeod, Dianne Wiest and Stockard Channing.

Practical Magic 2 is now showing in cinemas.