Emma Watson, who turned 35 on April 15, 2025, has largely stepped away from the spotlight since her last acting role in 2019’s Little Women, choosing instead to focus on personal growth, creative freedom, and projects on her own terms.

Best known for her iconic portrayal of Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter franchise, Watson has since explored directing—making her debut with the 2022 Prada Paradoxe campaign—returned to academic studies at Oxford, and co-founded a gin brand, Renais, with her brother. In recent interviews, she’s shared that stepping back from acting gave her a renewed sense of autonomy and the ability to reclaim her voice, expressing frustration with being the public face of projects she had little creative control over. Watson has also remained selective with public appearances, most recently attending the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game in February 2025.

She continues to reflect positively on her Harry Potter experience, cherishing the bond with co-stars Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint. In her personal life, she embraces being “self-partnered” and has spoken candidly about therapy, emotional growth, and the pressure women face around age and expectations. Her recent reflections reveal a woman committed to authenticity, healing, and self-discovery—grateful for the messiness that brought her clarity.