From Hogwarts to Hollywood: Emma Watson, Beyond Hermione Granger

Seeing her on Harry Potter as the annoying, bossy, Hermione Granger made us all fall head over heels. People came to know her as the girl with “rather large front teeth and bushy brown hair.” Who could have played the role better than Emma Watson? By now, Harry Potter fans can truly say that there would be no Hermione if there was no Emma.

Emma Charlotte Duerre Watson was born in April 15, 1990 in Paris, France to parents Jacqueline Luesby and Chris Watson. At a young age, she knew her passion is to be an actress. She was trained at the Stagecoach Theatre Arts in Oxford. However, her big break didn’t came out until 1999, during the casting of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Casting agents found Emma through her Oxford theater teacher and the production was impressed with her superb acting skills. After eight auditions, producer David Heyman congratulated Emma Watson together with  Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint and made it to the official cast of Harry Potter. J.K Rowling, the creator of Happy Potter, admitted that the first time she saw Emma Watson, she knew she has found Hermione Granger.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001) served as Emma’s big screen debut. The film became the highest-grossing film in 2001. The portrayal of the characters where fantastic, and Emma’s performance was the best. Who would have forget the bossy Gryffindor, Hermione with her tongue-tying spells and incantations? Emma was nominated in five awards and won the Young Artist Award for Leading Young Actress in a Feature Film.

Because of her wonderful character portrayal, she was signed to continue the seven series of the book. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002), Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004), Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005), Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007), Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009), Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (2010) and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011). She also showcased her skills in other films and TV appearances such as Ballet Shoes (2007) (TV) and The Tale of Despereaux (2008). She also endorsed a few clothing lines and is now pursuing a college degree at Brown University.

Last year, Emma surprised her fans when she cut her hair short. However, it did not tarnish her beautiful appearance. She indeed created the mature look she was aiming for. The move was her way to express her bid of farewell to her Hermione character.