Emma Watson, best known for her role as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter film series, has been banned from driving for six months after being caught speeding in Oxford. On the same day, fellow Harry Potter actress Zoe Wanamaker, who portrayed Madam Hooch in the franchise, received an identical penalty in High Wycombe Magistrates’ Court.
The double ruling quickly went viral on social media, with fans reacting to the unexpected legal twist involving two stars of the Wizarding World.
Emma Watson Driving Ban Incident: What Happened?
Watson, 35, was caught driving her blue Audi at 38mph in a 30mph zone on July 31, 2024, in Oxford. The court heard she already had nine points on her licence before the offence, meaning the additional three points for the latest incident automatically triggered a six-month disqualification under UK driving law.
Though she did not attend the five-minute hearing in person, Watson’s lawyer, Mark Haslam, confirmed that the actress is currently enrolled in a Master’s degree in Creative Writing at the University of Oxford, and that she is “in a position to pay the fine.”
The court ordered her to pay £1,044 in fines and costs, in addition to the driving ban.
Zoe Wanamaker: Same Day, Same Courtroom, Similar Outcome
Later that day, 76-year-old actress Zoe Wanamaker appeared before the same court and received the same six-month ban after being clocked at 46mph in a 40mph zone on the M4 in Newbury, Berkshire, on August 7, 2024.
Wanamaker, who had also accumulated nine points on her licence before the offence, was given three more, reaching the same disqualification threshold as Watson.
Her lawyer, Duncan Jones, told the court that Wanamaker was not requesting any “special treatment” and “fully accepted the fine.” Like Watson, she was ordered to pay £1,044.
Social media users were quick to draw attention to the strange coincidence that two actresses from the same franchise would be penalized for speeding on the same day, in the same court.
Emma Watson’s Life Beyond the Headlines
Although best known for her childhood role in Harry Potter, Emma Watson has since balanced high-profile acting work with activism, academia, and business. She starred in films like Beauty and the Beast and Little Women, and most recently launched a sustainable gin brand with her brother in 2023.
Her current status as a student at Oxford University may come as a surprise to some fans, but it reflects a long-standing interest in literature and writing. Her absence from court was reportedly due to academic obligations.
Driving Laws and Celebrity Accountability
Under UK law, any driver who accumulates 12 points on their licence is subject to a mandatory disqualification unless they can prove “exceptional hardship”—a defense neither Watson nor Wanamaker attempted to use.
District Judge Arvind Sharma delivered the sentencing in both cases, confirming the addition of three points to their existing nine, pushing them both into disqualification territory.
The court’s handling of the cases has drawn praise for being fair and impartial, with both actresses receiving the same penalty as any member of the public would under similar circumstances.
Public Reaction To Emma Watson Driving Ban
Fans have been divided. Some defended the stars, saying “everyone makes mistakes”, while others pointed out the seriousness of exceeding speed limits, especially in urban or residential areas.
“Emma Watson might be Hermione, but even she can’t charm her way out of a speeding ticket,” one user quipped on X (formerly Twitter).
Others expressed concern about the broader implications of celebrities breaking road laws.
“It’s not about fame—it’s about responsibility. Good to see the law being applied equally,” wrote another commenter.
Emma Watson and Zoe Wanamaker’s driving bans serve as a reminder that no one is above the law, not even stars of one of the most beloved franchises in film history. While the speeding offences were minor, their timing and celebrity status brought them to the forefront of the news cycle.
As both women take a temporary pause from driving, fans will likely continue following their respective careers—Watson with her academic and business ventures, and Wanamaker with her acclaimed work on stage and screen.
It’s a headline no one saw coming, but perhaps one that underscores a universal truth: rules of the road apply to everyone.