Kristina Roberts
Former Harry Potter stars Emma Watson and Zoë Wanamaker have both been banned from driving in the U.K. after separate speeding offences landed them in court on the same day.
Emma Watson, best known for playing Hermione Granger, has had her driver’s license revoked for six months after she was caught exceeding the 30-mph limit by eight miles per hour near Oxford last year. The hearing took place at High Wycombe Magistrates’ Court on July 16, as reported by the BBC.
Already carrying nine penalty points on her license, this latest offence pushed Watson over the legal limit, resulting in the suspension. In addition, she was ordered to pay approximately $1,400 in fines. Her lawyer told the court that Watson, 35, is currently a student and fully capable of paying the penalty. Watson did not attend the hearing in person.
Coincidentally, just minutes after Watson’s case, her former Harry Potter co-star Zoë Wanamaker—who portrayed Madam Hooch in the series’ first film—faced a similar judgment in the same court. Wanamaker had accumulated 12 points on her license and was caught driving six miles over the 40-mph limit. She was fined approximately $800, with an additional $487 surcharge.
Wanamaker’s lawyer noted that she was not seeking any leniency, fully accepting her disqualification from driving.
Beyond her recent traffic trouble, Emma Watson has been keeping a relatively low profile while continuing her studies at Oxford University, where she is reportedly pursuing an advanced academic degree. In addition to her studies, Watson has joined the university’s rowing team and was recently seen competing as a coxswain on the Thames River.
Emma Watson rose to international fame through her role as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter film franchise, starring alongside Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint from 2001 to 2011. Beyond Harry Potter, she has appeared in several acclaimed films, including The Perks of Being a Wallflower, The Bling Ring, Noah, Regression, and Beauty and the Beast, where she played the iconic role of Belle. Known for her activism as much as her acting, Watson has served as a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador and is recognized for her work in promoting gender equality through the HeForShe campaign.
Zoë Wanamaker, meanwhile, has enjoyed a distinguished career on stage and screen, with credits ranging from Harry Potter to the My Family sitcom and numerous productions with the Royal Shakespeare Company and National Theatre.
