Stockard Channing made her first red carpet appearance in two years at London's European premiere of Practical Magic 2 on Wednesday (26 August). The appearance comes just weeks after the actress, best known for playing Rizzo in Grease and the US First Lady in The West Wing, spoke about her reclusive life in the capital.
The 82-year-old relocated to London in 2019, where she has been living a low-key life focused on theatre work. At the premiere, she wore a navy blue suit with a cream shirt and chunky gunmetal jewellery.
A return to the screen
Channing starred in the original Practical Magic film in 1998 as matriarch Frances Owens, aunt to Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman's young witches. She reprises the role in the upcoming sequel, released in September, appearing alongside returning stars Bullock, Kidman and Dianne Wiest, as well as new cast members Joey King and Maisie Williams.
The premiere marked her first red carpet appearance in two years, as she has largely stepped back from public view since moving to London, aside from a few stage appearances.
Life in London
Channing moved to the UK from Maine following the death of her long-term partner, cinematographer Daniel Gillham, in 2014. Since arriving, she has appeared in productions at Hampstead Theatre and in the West End, where she starred last year opposite Brie Larson in Elektra.
Speaking recently to The Times about the move, she said: "Since just before Covid I've been living in London. My partner, Daniel, died in 2014 and it was more devastating than I realised; it had a lag effect. The pattern of my life shifted, so I shifted my life from Maine."
Channing explained that the move had "vaguely coincided" with Trump's election and shifting politics in the US, adding that she had lived alone since Gillham's death. She said: "I'm happy being a recluse," and noted she was "not sure I'll do anything after" directing her show at the Edinburgh Fringe this August, adding: "Acting is like everything in life; you never know what's going to happen."
