Emma Watson has opened up about her absence from the film industry, shedding light on why she hasn’t appeared on the big screen for the past five years.
The actress rose to fame with her iconic portrayal of Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter series, which catapulted her into the spotlight. Following her success in the wizarding world, she took on prominent roles in films like “The Perks of Being a Wallflower,” the live-action “Beauty and the Beast,” and “The Bling Ring.”
However, Watson’s last major film role was as Meg March in Greta Gerwig’s adaptation of “Little Women” in 2019, leaving fans curious about her hiatus.
In an interview with Financial Times last year, Watson revealed the underlying reason behind her decision to step back from acting, citing a lack of happiness and feeling restricted.
“I think I felt a bit caged,” she expressed. “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.”
Watson elaborated on the challenges of being the face of projects where she felt disconnected from the creative process, highlighting the difficulty of representing viewpoints she couldn’t fully endorse.
Reflecting on her interviews about her work, Watson admitted feeling voiceless and yearning for a more authentic connection with her projects.
“I only wanted to stand in front of things where if someone was going to give me flak about it, I could say, in a way that didn’t make me hate myself, ‘Yes, I screwed up, it was my decision, I should have done better,’” she shared.
While Watson has shifted her focus to ventures like Renais, a wine-inspired gin brand she launched with her brother, she hasn’t completely stepped away from the film industry. Last year, she starred in a short film for Prada’s fragrance campaign, showcasing her talent beyond acting by directing, writing, and narrating the project.
Despite her current pursuits, Watson reassured fans that she intends to return to acting in the future, emphasizing her love for the craft and her desire to find roles that align with her values and allow her to maintain authenticity.
“I’m happy to sit and wait for the next right thing,” she affirmed. “I love what I do.”
