Emma Watson Was Never The Same After Harry Potter

 

For an entire generation, Emma Watson has remained a constant presence in global pop culture, largely due to her unforgettable performance as Hermione Granger in the film adaptations of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series. Even without the character’s signature buck teeth, Watson proved to be an ideal fit for the role. Rowling later admitted in The Women of Harry Potter featurette that Hermione’s casting worried her more than any other. But after speaking to a then-10-year-old Watson on the phone, she immediately felt confident: “You’re going to be able to play a very bright, articulate girl with conviction, because that’s exactly who you are.”

Over the course of eight Harry Potter films, followed by standout roles in movies like The Perks of Being a Wallflower and Disney’s live-action Beauty and the Beast, an Ivy League education, global activism for gender equality, a presence in the fashion world, and more than two decades of media attention, Watson has continually proven she is far more than the “brightest witch of her age.” Her childhood spent in the Wizarding World became the launching point for her evolution into a thoughtful performer, public figure, and advocate for change. Here’s a look at how her life transformed after she stepped away from Hermione.

Today’s Hollywood is dominated by franchises and superhero universes, and Watson herself was part of one of the largest: the Harry Potter series, which has earned more than $9.5 billion worldwide. But after the franchise ended, she didn’t chase the biggest blockbusters or commercial guarantees. Instead, she gravitated toward more intimate, character-driven films from acclaimed directors.

Her first post-Potter appearance came in 2011 with Simon Curtis’ My Week With Marilyn, where she played Lucy, a wardrobe assistant and understated love interest to Eddie Redmayne’s character. Watson then moved to Stephen Chbosky’s The Perks of Being a Wallflower in 2012 and Sofia Coppola’s The Bling Ring in 2013. Each of these films had modest theatrical releases and earned under $36 million internationally, yet they offered Watson something more valuable: the opportunity to explore new performance styles and break away from the expectations attached to her Potter persona. She even surprised audiences with a wild cameo in the outrageous comedy This Is the End, showcasing her willingness to experiment with unexpected roles.