Emma Watson could have used a bit of magic.
The actor known for her role in *Harry Potter* recently discussed her six-month driving ban, expressing surprise at the amount of public attention it received.
Emma described receiving a flood of calls after her story appeared on the BBC and in news outlets around the world. As she shared on the Jay Shetty Podcast on September 24th, she felt overwhelmed, thinking, ‘My embarrassment is public for everyone to see.’
Last July, a 35-year-old woman had her British driverâs license suspended for six months after being caught speeding – she was going 38 mph in a 30 mph zone. Because she already had nine points on her license for previous traffic violations, she also had to pay a $1,400 fine.
Honestly, even though it was a really tough time, Emma managed to find some comfort in the outpouring of support. She said the best part of the story getting out there was all the messages she received from people who’d gone through similar things. It was so validating to hear from others saying, ‘I understand what you’re going through, this is terrible,’ and knowing I wasn’t alone. It really meant a lot.
She believes her inability to drive stems from spending most of her life working on movie sets.
She explained that movie sets have strict rules about transportation. Apparently, the insurance won’t cover actors driving themselves to work, and she’s asked about it many times. They always have to be driven, and it’s essential they arrive precisely on time because of the tight shooting schedule.
The *Little Women* actress explained that she went from rarely driving-only on weekends or during holidays-to driving constantly when she started studying at Oxford University, where she’s pursuing a doctorate. She jokingly admitted she clearly lacked the necessary driving experience and skills at the time, but now she does.
For Emma, the driving ban highlighted a bigger change in her life. It showed how she was adjusting to having more control over her daily routine after years of a highly scheduled life, starting when she was cast in *Harry Potter* at age 10 and continuing throughout her acting career. Stepping away from acting meant she suddenly had to manage things herself.
Honestly, this whole experience has been really grounding for me. I’m used to being on set and handling everything – the stunts, the singing, the dancing, you name it. I always feel so confident, like ‘Don’t sweat it, team, I’ve got this!’ But this journey has definitely been a humbling reminder that there’s always more to learn.
She playfully admitted that off-camera, she often forgot everyday things like her keys or wallet, and even struggled to follow simple rules like staying within the speed limit.
She felt like sheâd lost touch with her abilities and wanted people to remember that she hadnât always felt this way. She wished she could say, âI used to be skilled, I used to be really good at things, and I *can* still function normally, even if it doesnât seem like it now.â
In the end, it was a helpful reminder for the actor from *The Perks of Being a Wallflower* that most people are just doing their best to navigate life and hold things together.
You know, as someone who looks at people’s lives and how they present themselves, I’ve noticed a huge difference between those who are thriving and those who are struggling. It really comes down to honesty. The biggest divide isn’t *what’s* happening in their lives, but their willingness to admit when things are tough. Some people are comfortable saying, ‘Hey, I’m just figuring things out, doing my best to cope.’ Others feel pressured to project this image of constant perfection, always claiming everything is ‘amazing’ and ‘incredible,’ even when it’s not. That pressure to *appear* okay can be incredibly isolating, and honestly, it’s much healthier to be real about the ups and downs.
For more from Emma and the rest of the Harry Potter cast over the years, keep reading.
Daniel Radcliffe will always be thankful for the role of Harry Potter, which launched his career. However, he’s actively worked to move beyond his child-star image, starting with a daring, nude performance on Broadway in 2007 with *Equus*. Since then, he’s balanced stage and screen work, appearing in productions like *How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying*, *The Cripple of Inishmaan*, *Rosencrantz and Gildenstern Are Dead*, and winning a Tony Award for *Merrily We Roll Along*. His film roles have included *The Woman in Black*, *Victor Frankenstein*, and *Swiss Army Man*.
Radcliffe isn’t afraid of dark or quirky roles, as seen in his TV performances as a morphine-addicted doctor in *A Young Doctor’s Notebook* and a low-level angel in *Miracle Workers*. He also played the villain alongside Sandra Bullock and Channing Tatum in the 2022 romantic comedy *The Lost City*, portrayed musician âWeird Alâ Yankovic in the biopic *Weird: The Al Yankovic Story*, and contributed voice work to the animated series *Mulligan*.
Radcliffe has been with actress Erin Darke since meeting her on the set of 2013âs *Kill Your Darlings*, where he played poet Alan Ginsberg. They welcomed their son in April 2023.
Emma Watson, who grew up in both Paris and England, landed the role of Hermione Granger with little acting experience, marking her professional debut. After finishing the Harry Potter films, she balanced her studies at Brown University, where she earned a degree in English literature in 2014, with roles in independent films like *The Perks of Being a Wallflower* and *The Bling Ring*.
She later starred as Belle in the 2017 live-action *Beauty and the Beast* and as Meg March in the 2019 film *Little Women*. Following these roles, Watson decided to take a break from acting, a decision she admitted was daunting but ultimately felt right.
In a 2023 interview with *British Vogue*, she explained that stepping away allowed her to find her own voice and creative independence, something she hadnât fully experienced before. She valued the freedom of not knowing what the future held and wouldnât trade the clarity she found for anything.
Since then, Watson has returned to school, enrolling in a creative writing program at Oxford, and launched her own gin brand, Renais, with her brother Alex Watson. Sheâs also directed commercials and continued her work as a model for brands like Burberry and LancĂŽme, as well as an advocate for gender equality.
Rupert Grint, the actor who played Ron Weasley in the Harry Potter films, seemed born for the role. After the series ended, he appeared in several British productions, including the Agatha Christie mystery *The ABC Murders* and the dark comedy *Sick Note*, where he played a man who pretends to have cancer. He also took on roles in the film *CBGB*, about the famous New York punk club, the French comedy *Moonwalkers*, and projects by M. Night Shyamalan, including the series *Servant* and the movie *Knock at the Cabin*.
It took Grint some time to adjust to life after playing Ron for so many years. He admitted to *Radio Times* in 2018 that he felt like heâd missed out on normal experiences and wanted to reconnect with friends and have a life outside of Harry Potter. He wasnât necessarily driven by ambition, but felt a need to prove himself as an actor.
Whatever he did worked. Shyamalan told EW.com that he was amazed by Grintâs transformation from a child actor to an adult actor, calling it a remarkable reinvention. In May 2020, Grint and his longtime partner, Georgia Groome, welcomed their daughter, Wednesday G. Grint.
Matthew Lewis, who many remember as the somewhat clumsy Neville Longbottom from the Harry Potter films, has recently become incredibly popular online due to his impressive transformation. News of his good looks has quickly spread around the world.
Actor Lewis has worked mostly in England, appearing in television series like *The Syndicate* and *Bluestone 42* (where he played a soldier and particularly enjoyed the experience), and films such as *Me Before You* and *Terminal*, alongside Margot Robbie. He’s also been in *Avoidance*, *All Creatures Great & Small*, *Baby Done*, and *Ripper Street*.
Lewis values his privacy, but itâs known he married Angela Jones in 2018. The couple revisited the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – where they first met – in October 2019.
As someone who keeps a close eye on rising stars, I always knew there was more to Tom Felton than met the eye – that ‘bad boy’ Draco Malfoy was actually a total sweetheart! Many people remember him from the early days in *Rise of the Planet of the Apes*, but heâs intentionally shifted towards projects that really let his talent shine through, like the beautiful period pieces *Belle* and *A United Kingdom*.
He totally surprised fans when he popped up as the villainous Julian Albert, aka Dr. Alchemy, on *The Flash* in 2016, and heâs been consistently working in interesting roles since then – everything from the sci-fi drama *Origin* to films like *Ophelia*, *Braking for Whales*, *Burial*, and *Some Other Woman*.
But did you know heâs also a musician? Tomâs been quietly releasing his own music for years, putting out several EPs – it’s a side of him I really admire!
The actor was in a seven-year relationship with Jade Olivia Gordon, who later played his character’s wife, Astoria Malfoy, in the *Harry Potter* films, but they separated in 2016. He is now in a relationship with Roxanne Danya.
In his 2022 memoir, *Beyond the Wand: The Magic and Mayhem of Growing Up a Wizard*, Felton discussed his difficulties with becoming famous at a young age, his history with substance abuse, and clarified the nature of his relationship with Emma Watson.
He admitted heâd always held a special affection for Emma, though not necessarily a romantic one. He acknowledged a connection between them, but said it flared up at different moments in time. Despite this, their relationship never became romantic, and they remain close friends. âI donât think I was ever *in love* with Emma,â he explained, âbut I deeply cared for and admired her in a way I couldnât fully articulate.â
Bonnie Wright began playing Ginny Weasley in the Harry Potter films at just 10 years old, growing from a supporting role to becoming a significant character.
After studying at the London College of Communication, she founded her own production company, BonBonLumiĂšre, in 2012. Sheâs acted in films like *After the Dark* and *Who Killed Nelson Nutmeg?*, but has also moved behind the camera, writing and directing several short films. These include *Separate We Come, Separate We Go* starring David Thewlis (known as Remus Lupin), *Know Thyself* with Christian Coulson (who played Tom Riddle), and *Medusa’s Ankles* featuring Jason Isaacs (Lucius Malfoy).
While she hasnât appeared in many films recently-her last role was in the 2018 film *A Christmas Carol*-sheâs focused on other ventures. In 2021, she published *Go Gently*, a book offering guidance on how to get involved in climate activism.
It was such a treat to see Bonnie Wright reunite with some of her old castmates – Watson, Felton, Lewis, and Evanna Lynch – back in 2019! Thankfully, someone captured a photo of the moment. She shared it with the caption “Time turning,” and a little lightning bolt, which just felt perfect.
I remember when she and Jamie Campbell Bower – who played young Grindelwald in one of the *Harry Potter* films – were engaged, but they sadly called it off in 2012. She then spent several years with Simon Hammerstein, but sheâs now so happy with Andrew Lococo! They got married in March 2022, and I was thrilled to hear they welcomed their son, Elio, in September 2023. It’s wonderful to see her so content!
Fred and George Weasley were famously played by identical twins, Oliver and James Phelps – though Oliver is actually thirteen minutes older! The brothers continued to play twins in other projects, like *Our Own Worst Enemy* and *Last Night in Soho*. James has also appeared in films such as *Patchwork* and *Cadia: The World Within*. Beyond acting, they hosted a podcast called *Normal Not Normal* and the cooking show *Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking*. Oliver married Katie Humpage in 2015 and they have two daughters. James married Annika Ostle the following year.
The British actor began his career playing Dean Thomas, a student at Hogwarts, and built a strong resume with theater work in England and appearances in popular shows like Broadchurch and Sherlock. He then became well-known for his four-season role on How to Get Away With Murder, where he played Wes, a law student with good intentions who faced difficult choices. In a surprising turn, he even returned for a brief appearance in the final season as-spoiler alert-Wes’s son. More recently, he’s been in Foundation, The Couple Next Door, and Miss Austen. He’s also an Oxford graduate, having attended The Queen’s College.
When Chris Columbus was casting the role of young Tom Riddle in *Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets*, he was hoping to find an actor between 15 and 17 years old. However, Christian Coulson, who was 23 at the time, ended up winning the part. He continued to act in various films and TV shows, including roles as Damien George in *Nashville*, Sebastian in the Golden Globe-winning series *Mozart in the Jungle*, Benjamin in *High Fidelity*, and Peter in *Blood Brothers: Civil War*.
Katie Leung won the role of Cho Chang in *Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire* after competing with around 3,000 other actors. However, she later shared that she faced a lot of online hate after the casting was announced.
In a 2021 podcast interview, Leung described finding a website dedicated to criticizing her casting, filled with racist comments. The site even included a counter tracking how many people disapproved of her being cast. She described the experience as awful.
Following *Harry Potter*, Leung continued acting in theater, television, and voice work. She appeared in productions like *White Dragon*, *Chimerica*, and *The Nest*, and voiced the character Caitlyn in the animated series *Arcane*. Other roles include appearances in *Nightsleeper*, *Annika*, *Chemistry of Death*, *The Peripheral*, and *The Foreigner*.
In December 2022, Leung announced on Instagram that she had given birth to her first child, a son named Wolf.
You know, I was just thinking about Robert Pattinson – remember him as Cedric Diggory in *Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire*? It’s amazing to see how far he’s come since those early days! It really makes you wonder what ever happened to some of those young actors we used to see all over the screen.
Robert Pattinson also became a teen idol by starring as the mysterious vampire Edward Cullen in all five *Twilight Saga* movies. During filming, he famously dated his co-star, Kristen Stewart.
He’s become known for his intense performances in independent films like *Maps to the Stars*, *Cosmopolis*, *The Rover*, *Good Time*, and *The Lighthouse*. However, he also returned to large-scale action movies in 2022, taking on the role of Batman in *The Batman*.
Robert Pattinson was previously engaged to FKA twigs. Since 2018, he has been dating model and actress Suki Waterhouse, and they got engaged in December 2023. They recently welcomed their first child in March 2024.
Fleur Delacour, the beautiful student from the French wizarding school Beauxbatons who competed in the Triwizard Tournament, later married Ron Weasley’s older brother, Bill.
Since then, the actress who played Fleur, Poésy, has consistently worked in film and television, appearing in shows like *Gossip Girl* and *The Tunnel*, as well as the films *In Bruges* and *Genius: Picasso*.
Sheâs also had roles in *Tenant* (alongside her former Triwizard competitor, Robert Pattinson), *The Essex Serpent*, and *The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon*.
After becoming a mother in 2017, Poésy spoke about how much the experience had changed her life.
She recently told *The Guardian* that experiencing pregnancy and motherhood has given her a deeper connection to women throughout history. She explained that going through the physical and emotional aspects of becoming a mother has significantly increased her respect and admiration for women.
Evanna Lynch first gained recognition for her portrayal of the quirky and brave Luna Lovegood in *Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix*, but she later found it surprisingly difficult to find other acting roles.
In a 2019 interview with Bustle, actress Lana Lynch explained that experiencing a lot of fan mail and public attention felt strange because it didn’t match her everyday life. She admitted it was difficult, and that she initially missed the instant praise she received while working on large film franchises where her work was always celebrated. Despite this, she has continued to act in smaller projects, including short films like *Bus Girl* and animated series like *My Freaky Family*.
Evanna Lynch has been vegan since 2015 and is passionate about cruelty-free products. In 2018, she launched Kinder Beauty Box, a beauty line focused on clean and ethical ingredients, and began co-hosting the podcast *Just Beings* with Dr. Melanie Joy. That same year, she was a contestant on *Dancing With the Stars*, finishing in third place, and in 2021, she published her first book, *The Opposite of Butterfly Hunting*.
Evanna Lynch shared with Bustle that she’s stayed particularly close with Katie Leung and Scarlett Byrne (who played Pansy Parkington) and often sees her former Harry Potter co-stars at fan conventions. She explained that many of them have become closer as theyâve gotten older. âWeâre adults now, and that makes a difference,â Lynch said. âFor example, I spent time with James and Oliver Phelps this weekend. When we were filming, they were older – 18 or 19 while I was 14 – and that age gap felt huge. Now, as adults, it doesnât seem so significant.â
Josh Herdman, who played Draco Malfoy’s sidekick Goyle in the *Harry Potter* films, has continued acting since his time at Hogwarts. He’s appeared in several television shows and movies, including the British crime drama *Marcella* with Anna Friel, the 2018 *Robin Hood* film, the crime miniseries *Murder at White House Farm*, and the spy series *Alex Rider*. More recently, he’s had roles in the Disney+ series *Andor* and the movie *No Way Home*.
Beyond acting, Herdman also started a career in mixed martial arts in 2016.
In 2023, he announced his marriage to Jessica Herdman, and they have two children together.
Like many actors who played Harry Potter bullies, Harry Melling is a genuinely kind person. During the series, he got very fit, almost leading to him being replaced before *Deathly Hallows Part 1*. However, he continued to play Dudley Dursley, Harryâs spoiled cousin, using prosthetics to maintain his appearance.
Since then, Melling has consistently worked in both theater and film, appearing in projects like *The Lost City of Z*, the Coen brothersâ *The Ballad of Buster Scruggs*, and the HBO series *His Dark Materials*.
He also collaborated with Joel Coen again, playing Malcolm in Coenâs adaptation of *The Tragedy of Macbeth*, alongside Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand. More recently, Melling appeared as Harry Beltik in the popular Netflix series *The Queenâs Gambit* and co-starred with Charlize Theron in Netflixâs action film *The Old Guard*. He has also been in *Wolf Hall*, *Harvest*, *Shoshana*, and *The Pale Blue Eye*.
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2025-09-24 22:49