Emma Watson, widely recognized for her iconic role as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter series, last appeared in a major film in 2018. She played Meg March in Greta Gerwig’s film adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel Little Women. Emma Watson has since stepped away from acting and focused on her advocacy work for gender equality and women’s rights. Her commitment to public affairs and dedication to education became central to her life, allowing her to use her fame as a platform for meaningful change.
Emma Watson explains why she temporarily quit acting
In one of the interviews with Financial TimesEmma Watson was asked why she left acting, and to everyone’s surprise, her answer was something no one could have expected.
She said: “I think I felt a little caged. What was very difficult for me was that I had to go out and sell something that I really didn’t have much control over. To stand in front of the film and give each journalist the opportunity to say, “How does this fit with your point of view?” It was very difficult to be the face and representative of things that I didn’t get to participate in.”
Watson continued: “I was held accountable and it started to become very frustrating for me because I had no voice, I had no say. And I started to realize that I just wanted to stand in front of things so that if someone was going to criticize me about it, I could say in a way that didn’t make me hate myself, “Yeah, I screwed up.” It was my decision; I should have done better.”
Emma Watson supports the trans community
While the interview doesn’t specify the projects Emma Watson is referring to, it’s possible that she was referring to the Harry Potter films themselves. The speculation stems from controversial anti-trans statements by author JK Rowling, which have prompted Watson to repeatedly declare her support for the transgender community.
Back in April 2022, Watson made a cover for British Vogue where she reflected on her disappointment with how her role in Harry Potter led her into adulthood. She said: “I played a symbol. I know this because she is a symbol to me. I’m not (Hermione). And I’m also not what, oddly enough, my name means. Even the people closest to me sometimes can’t let it go. Or see only me. And sometimes I have to say, “No, no, I need exactly what you need.” I am the same person as you. I’m as insecure as you are. I fight just as hard as you.”
In September 2023, the director of her upcoming film Bad Things praised Emma Stone for her open-minded approach to filming sex scenes.