JK Rowling will ‘never forgive’ Oxford University’s Emma Watson

The 36-year-old actress played Hogwarts witch Hermione Granger in all eight films of the franchise alongside co-stars Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint.

Ms Watson has turned her attention to studies after her iconic role in J.K. Rowling’s series, as well as parts in Hollywood films The Perks of Being a Wallflower and Little Women.

She had been studying a master’s degree in creative writing at the University of Oxford since September 2023.

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Emma Watson (Image: Photo: Matt Crosick/PA)

It was revealed in February 2025 that Ms Watson had switched to a DPhil, which is Oxford’s version of a PhD.

JK Rowling wrote the Harry Potter books and helped bring the film series to life, as well as helping cast the young Oxford actress in the now iconic role.

The pair have clashed since the writer outlined five reasons to be “worried about the new trans activism” and then received condemnation from Ms Watson.

A recent swipe came in March 2025 as Ms Rowling was asked online: “What actor/actress instantly ruins a movie for you?”

She responded: “Three guesses. Sorry, but that was irresistible.”

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JK Rowling (Image: PA)

The author did add several laughing-face emojis to show humour but many have pointed to the post being aimed at Ms Watson and her Harry Potter co-stars Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint.

Then, in April of last year, The Scottish Daily Express reported that Ms Rowling will “never forgive” Ms Watson.

The publication stated that she indicated this after the Harry Potter stars criticised her and other females who believe sex is a biological fact.

This followed the publication of the Cass Report, which concluded that gender identity services were based on “weak evidence”.

A social media user said at the time that they were waiting on Mr Radcliffe and Ms Watson to apologise, “safe in the knowledge that you [Ms Rowling] will forgive them.”

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The author responded: “Not safe, I’m afraid.

“Celebs who cosied up to a movement intent on eroding women’s hard-won rights and who used their platforms to cheer on the transitioning of minors can save their apologies for traumatised detransitioners and vulnerable women reliant on single sex spaces.”

Things between Ms Rowling and Ms Watson then heated up once more later on in the year after the latter’s appearance on Jay Shetty’s On Purpose podcast.

The actress said: “I think it’s my deepest wish that I hope people who don’t agree with my opinion will love me, and I hope I can keep loving people with whom I don’t necessarily share the same opinion.”

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This prompted a lengthy response on X from Ms Rowling, who said: “Like other people who’ve never experienced adult life uncushioned by wealth and fame, Emma has so little experience of real life she’s ignorant of how ignorant she is.

“I’d be astounded if she’s been in a high street changing room since childhood. Her ‘public bathroom’ is single occupancy and comes with a security man standing guard outside the door.”

The multimillionaire author said that “I lived in poverty while writing the book that made Emma famous” and therefore “understand from my own life experience what the trashing of women’s rights in which Emma has so enthusiastically participated means to women and girls without her privileges”.