Emma Watson – the actress famous for playing Hermione Granger in the “Harry Potter” series – is facing charges of violating traffic laws in the UK, after being caught driving over the speed limit.
The incident occurred on 31 July 2024 in Banbury Road, Oxford. Watson was driving a £30,000 Audi at high speed, leading to her being charged by post. The actress is understood to have pleaded guilty in March 2025 and is due to appear in court on 16 July for the opportunity to present her case in mitigation.
Emma Watson.
Emma Watson – once hailed as the brainy Harry Potter star and a fierce advocate for environmental causes – is now at the center of a storm over… her Audi. The actress, who proudly spoke at COP26 and even published a book on sustainable living, saw her “green goddess” image crumble when she was caught driving a gas-guzzling luxury Audi during a speeding violation.
The backlash was immediate and fierce. Critics slammed Watson as “hypocritical,” preaching eco-friendly values while cruising around in a flashy, fuel-hungry car. British media quickly dug up the Audi’s scandalous past: back in February 2024, it was seized by police after being illegally parked outside a Stratford-upon-Avon pub.
With the Audi repeatedly making headlines for all the wrong reasons, some fans joked that “Emma’s car is more famous than she is.” The real question now: was this just a minor slip-up, or is Watson’s carefully crafted image as an eco-conscious intellectual finally starting to crack?
Emma Watson and the Audi. Photo: Getty
Born in 1990, Emma Watson shot to fame at just 11 years old, forever remembered as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter saga. After a decade in the wizarding world, she successfully reinvented herself with roles in The Bling Ring, Noah, Disney’s smash hit Beauty and the Beast, and the critically acclaimed Little Women. Beyond Hollywood, Watson built a reputation as a model student, graduating from Brown University, and as a high-profile activist championing gender equality and environmental causes.
But now, that polished image is cracking. A string of traffic incidents has cast a shadow over the “perfect student” reputation once attached to her name. The scandals have ignited heated debate about whether celebrities should be held to stricter standards when they take on activist roles. For many, Watson’s case highlights a growing demand: if you preach about change, you must live it—because the public is watching every move.