Oxford University’s Emma Watson ‘won the lottery’ but misses Hollywood

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 Oxford University since September 2023.

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

Quotes from one of Ms Watson’s most recent interviews on her break from Hollywood have resurafced this week.

The original chat with Hollywood Authentic, which was published last year, saw the actress speak about her career.

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“In some ways, I really won the lottery [with acting], and what happened to me is so unusual,” said Ms Watson.

“But a bigger component than the actual job itself is the promotion and selling of that piece of work… I’ll be honest and straightforward, and say: I do not miss selling things. I found that to be quite soul-destroying.

“But I do very much miss using my skill set, and I very much miss the art, I just found I got to do so little of the bit that I actually enjoyed.”