The actress stepped back into the spotlight at the ‘Practical Magic 2’ premiere just weeks after opening up about her quiet life in London

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Stockard Channing is stepping back into the spotlight.

The actress, 82, attended the European premiere of Practical Magic 2 at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square in London on Aug. 26, marking her first red carpet appearance in two years.

The appearance comes just weeks after Channing opened up about her quieter life in a candid essay for The Sunday Times, published Aug. 5. Following the 2014 death of her longtime partner, Daniel Gillham, Channing wrote that the loss changed the course of her life.

“My partner, Daniel, died in 2014 and it was more devastating than I realised; it had a lag effect,” Channing wrote. “The pattern of my life shifted, so I shifted my life from Maine.”

“I’ve lived alone since I lost Daniel and I’m happy being a recluse,” she added, explaining that she moved from New England to London alone “just before Covid.”

Channing also said the move partially coincided with the changing political climate in the U.S.

The actress, who has been married four times, was romantically linked to Gillham beginning in 1990. She previously said in a January 2025 interview with The Sunday Times that she had no interest in finding another partner.

“No, I think that would be such a pain in the ass. I’m consolidating, thank you very much,” she said at the time. “I’m very happy with the friends I have. No. Life is good. Life is very good.”

Now, Channing is returning to one of her most recognizable roles for Practical Magic 2, reprising her part as Frances “Franny” Owens, the aunt of Sally Owens, played by Sandra Bullock, and Gillian Owens, played by Nicole Kidman.

Dianne Wiest is also returning as Aunt Jet, with Joey King, Lee Pace, Maisie Williams, Xolo Maridueña and Solly McLeod joining the cast.

The sequel follows the original 1998 film, which was based on Alice Hoffman’s 1995 novel of the same name.

Channing has previously reflected on how her acting career has evolved alongside different periods of her life, writing that younger viewers know her from Practical Magic, while adults may recognize her from The West Wing and “real grown-ups” remember her from Grease.

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“I guess films are like songs: they take you back to a particular time in your life,” she wrote. “Maybe a more innocent time.”

Following Practical Magic 2, Channing plans to direct a production of Samuel Beckett’s Krapp’s Last Tape later this year. Beyond that, she wrote that she may take another step back from the spotlight.

“I’m not sure I’ll do anything after that,” Channing wrote. “Acting is like everything in life; you never know what’s going to happen.”

Practical Magic 2 hits theaters Sept. 10.