Harry Potter stars Emma Watson and Zoe Wanamaker banned from driving for speeding

LONDON – Two stars of the Harry Potter films (2001 to 2011), including English actress Emma Watson, were each banned from driving for six months on July 16 after being caught speeding in separate incidents.

Watson, 35, who played Hermione Granger, the friend of boy wizard Harry Potter in the hugely popular movie franchise, was caught driving at 61kmh in a 48kmh zone in south-eastern Banbury in July 2024.

American-British actress Zoe Wanamaker, who played Quidditch teacher Madame Hooch in Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone (2001), was banned for six months for her offence.

The 76-year-old had been caught driving at 74kmh in a 64kmh zone of the M4 motorway in south-eastern Berkshire in August 2024.

The cases were dealt with separately by a lower magistrates’ court in the town of High Wycombe.

Neither of the stars attended the hearings, at which they were each fined £1,044 (S$1,790).

Watson, who was stopped while driving her blue Audi, has been studying at Oxford University. Her lawyer told the court that although she was a student, “she is in a position to pay the fine”.

Meanwhile, filming has begun on a Harry Potter TV series that will debut in 2027, bringing the Hollywood hit to the small screen for the first time.

While no exact release date has been confirmed, the show will be available on the HBO Max streaming platform.

Harry will be played by Scottish actor Dominic McLaughlin, with HBO releasing a photo on July 14 showing the 11-year-old in character for the first time.

British actress Arabella Stanton, who played the role of Matilda Wormwood in the West End production of Matilda The Musical (2023 to 2024), will star as Hermione. British actor Alastair Stout will take on the role of Ron Weasley.

Established stars will appear alongside them, with American actor John Lithgow playing headmaster Albus Dumbledore, British actor Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape and English actor Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid. AFP