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Emma Watson Loses License for Speeding: How Fast Was She Going?

The actress already had nine penalty points on her license

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Emma Watson, best known around the world for playing Hermione Granger in Harry Potter and Belle in Beauty and the Beast, has been banned from driving for six months after being caught speeding, according to the BBC.

The 35-year-old actress, who is currently studying for a master’s degree in creative writing at the University of Oxford, was caught driving at approximately 38mph in a 30mph zone in Oxford on July 31, 2024.

While it might seem like a minor infraction, Watson already had nine penalty points on her license. That led the High Wycombe court to suspend her driving privileges and issue a £1,044 fine (around $1,400). Although she didn’t attend the brief five-minute hearing, her lawyer confirmed she’s fully able to pay the fine.

Emma, who first rose to fame in 2001 with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, has kept a relatively low profile in recent years. Her last film role was in Little Women (2019), directed by Greta Gerwig. Since then, she’s focused on personal projects—like launching a sustainable gin brand with her brother in 2023—and continuing her advocacy work with UNICEF.

Meanwhile, the magical world that made her a household name continues to grow. HBO is already developing a new TV adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s saga, featuring a completely new cast. The new Hermione? Arabella Stanton. Whether she’ll live up to Watson’s legacy remains to be seen—but fans will surely have their say.

Internet Buzz

As expected, once the internet found out, it didn’t take long for memes and images referencing Watson’s absence from the Harry Potter universe to start spreading.

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