Emma Watson, beloved for her iconic role as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter series, has finally broken her silence on the six-month driving ban she received earlier this year. The ban came after Watson was caught traveling at 38mph in a 30mph zone in Oxford, England. This incident was not isolated, as she already had nine penalty points on her license. She was subsequently fined over £1,000 and ordered to refrain from driving for six months.
The actress, now 35, has since shifted her focus from acting to academia, attending Oxford University from 2023. Adjusting to the demands of student life meant she suddenly had to navigate driving frequently—a stark contrast to the chauffeured lifestyle she was accustomed to during her acting career.
On Jay Shetty’s podcast, Watson candidly described how the ban became international headline news, directly impacting her sense of shame and privacy. “I was getting phone calls, like it’s on BBC, it’s worldwide news. I was like, my shame is everywhere,” she said.
Watson explained that on movie sets, stars typically are not allowed to drive due to insurance restrictions, meaning she rarely drove except on rare occasions like weekends or holidays. “You literally have to be driven—it’s not a choice,” she said.
She called her transition to a more normal routine “humbling,” noting the contrast between performing complex stunts seamlessly on screen and struggling with everyday tasks like adhering to speed limits or remembering keys.
Her honest perspective sheds light on the challenges celebrities face when attempting to live ordinary lives after years in the spotlight.
