Emma Watson, renowned for her portrayal of Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter film series, found herself in legal trouble last year after being caught speeding in a blue Audi at 38mph in a 30mph zone in Oxford on the evening of July 31st. Prior to this incident, the court was informed, Watson already had nine points on her driving license.
On Wednesday, the 35-year-old actress, who is currently pursuing a Master's degree in creative writing at the University of Oxford, was ordered to pay a total of £1,044 at High Wycombe Magistrates' Court. She did not attend the brief, five-minute hearing. Representatives for Watson have been contacted for their comments.
Watson's legal counsel, Mark Haslam, informed the court of her student status, assuring that she was financially capable of paying the fine. Watson's acting career skyrocketed in 2001 with the release of "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone," alongside fellow child stars Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint. She went on to star in a total of eight Potter films, with the final instalment released in 2011. Her portfolio includes notable roles in films like "Beauty and the Beast," "The Bling Ring," and "The Perks of Being a Wallflower," with her last cinematic appearance being in the 2019 remake of "Little Women," directed by Greta Gerwig. In 2023, Watson ventured into the spirits industry by launching a sustainable gin brand alongside her brother.
Meanwhile, a new TV adaptation of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter books is under production, featuring Dominic McLaughlin as Harry, Arabella Stanton as Hermione, and Alastair Stout as Ron. John Lithgow has been cast as Dumbledore, Nick Frost as Hagrid, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, and Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape. Produced by HBO, the series is anticipated to span a decade in completion.
Intriguingly, another Harry Potter actress, Zoe Wanamaker, who portrayed Madam Hooch in the wizarding series, was also fined for speeding on the same day and in the same court as Watson. On August 7th, 2024, Wanamaker was caught driving at 46mph in a 40mph zone on the M4 in Newbury, Berkshire. The 76-year-old actress, who similarly had nine points on her license before the incident, was fined £1,044 and banned from driving for six months. Her lawyer, Duncan Jones, confirmed that Wanamaker did not seek any "special treatment" and accepted the fine.
District Judge Arvind Sharma imposed an additional three points on both stars' licenses, resulting in a six-month driving ban for both Watson and Wanamaker.
