Emma Watson, who is now 33, was only eleven years old when she realized she was destined to play Hermione Granger. The actress thought she had a lot in common with the witch, having fallen in love with the character in J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series. Her life was forever changed when, despite her lack of professional acting experience, she eventually secured a highly sought-after role alongside Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint.

But every coin has two sides; good things come with bad experiences. Watson talked about her problems with the franchise and how difficult it was for her to work in an interview with the Daily Mail. She claimed that others dictated to her what and when to do and that she had no control over her schedule.

Emma Watson as Hermione Granger

Why the Harry Potter Films Made Emma Watson Feel Like a ‘Prisoner’

As appreciative as she is for the once-in-a-lifetime chance to play Hermione Granger, however, fame also has a lot of drawbacks. And Emma Watson felt like a “prisoner to Hogwarts” because she was compelled to work such a hard job while she was a teenager.

The British actress discussed how difficult it was for her to work in the franchise and recalled her problems in an interview with the Daily Mail. She claimed that other people were setting her schedule and that she had no control over it:

“I have such a structure when I’m working on Potter. I get told what time I get picked up. I get told what time I can eat. When I have time to go to the bathroom. Every single second of my day is not in my power.”

Emma Watson in Harry Potter movies

And, as reported by the outlet, she further added:

“I felt like a prisoner of Hogwarts during the Harry Potter films. And I nearly quit at 16.”

Meanwhile, Watson acknowledged experiencing an identity crisis at a red-carpet event in a Vanity Fair interview. The Beauty and the Beast actress found it strange to get all dolled up and smile for the cameras, and she found it difficult to relate to the role she was playing:

“I’d walk down the red carpet and go into the bathroom. I had on so much makeup and these big, fluffy, full-on dresses. I’d put my hands on the sink and look at myself in the mirror and say, ‘who is this?’ I didn’t connect with the person who was looking back at me, and that was a very unsettling feeling.”

Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint in the Harry Potter franchise

Well, Watson’s decision to leave Hollywood may have been influenced by the unsettling experience she had while filming Harry Potter. Or perhaps another reason?

Emma Watson Stepped Away From Acting Because She Felt ‘a Bit Caged’?

Emma Watson, who rose to prominence as a teenager starring in the Harry Potter movies, has taken a hiatus from acting after the Harry Potter films. Why? She told the Financial Times in an interview that she simply “was not very happy” with the industry.

“I think I felt a bit caged. The thing I found really hard was that I had to go out and sell something that I really didn’t have very much control over. To stand in front of a film and have every journalist be able to say, ‘How does this align with your viewpoint?’ It was very difficult to have to be the face and the spokesperson for things where I didn’t get to be involved in the process.”

Emma Watson and Daniel Radcliffe in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

When Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban wrapped up filming, Watson almost gave up on the acclaimed series in order to concentrate on his studies. Like her character, the actress has always placed a high value on her education.

Fortunately, the franchise’s producer (eight installments), David Heyman, permitted the actor to maintain her commitment to her work schedule while concentrating on her studies. He stated to Glamour:

“Emma [Watson], in particular, was quite academic and was very keen in pursuit of schooling and was wrestling a little bit more than the others. So each time there was a negotiation, it was not about a financial [matter], it was about, ‘Do I want to be a part of this?’”  

In the end, Watson finished her degree and carried on with the Harry Potter series.