Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Emma Watson
How Emma Watson built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Emma Watson is an English actress recognized as one of the highest-paid actresses globally. She gained widespread recognition for her role in the Harry Potter film series. Watson has been featured in Forbes and Vanity Fair and named one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people. She was also an honoree on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in 2015 and 2016.
2 days ago : Emma Watson: Actress, Activist, and Advocate for Education and Women's Rights
Emma Watson, known for her role in Harry Potter, is an accomplished actress and activist. She advocates for gender equality through UN Women and promotes education for girls. Watson uses her platform to inspire positive change.
1999: Casting for Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone began
In 1999, casting began for Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. Casting agents found Emma Watson through her Oxford theatre teacher and after eight auditions she landed the role of Hermione Granger, with J.K. Rowling's support after her first screen test.
![Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone [Paperback] J K Rowling](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51UacvYKpuL._SL500_.jpg "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone [Paperback] J K Rowling")
2001: Debut in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
In 2001, Emma Watson made her debut screen performance in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. The film broke records and became the highest-grossing film of 2001. Watson received particular acclaim and won the Young Artist Award for Leading Young Actress.
2001: Young Artist Award for Harry Potter
In 2001, Emma Watson received a Young Artist Award for her portrayal of Hermione Granger in "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone", recognizing her early talent and success in the film industry.
2004: Release of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
In 2004, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban was released. Critics lauded Emma Watson's performance, and she won two Otto Awards and the Child Performance of the Year award from Total Film.
2005: Beginnings of her Modelling Career
In 2005, Emma Watson began her modelling career with a photo shoot for Teen Vogue, making her the youngest person to cover the magazine.
2005: Release of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
In 2005, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire was released, setting records. Critics praised the increasing maturity of Emma Watson and her teenage co-stars. Watson won a bronze Otto Award for her performance.
2006: Appearing in The Queen's Handbag
In 2006, Emma Watson played Hermione in The Queen's Handbag, a special mini-episode of Harry Potter in celebration of Queen Elizabeth II's 80th birthday.
March 2007: Signing on for final Harry Potter installments
On 23 March 2007, Emma Watson signed on to continue her role as Hermione for the final Harry Potter installments.
July 2007: Hand and Footprint Ceremony and Acknowledgment of Financial Success
On 9 July 2007, Emma Watson and her Harry Potter co-stars left imprints of their hands, feet and wands in front of Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. That month, Watson's work on the Harry Potter series was said to have earned her more than £10 million.
2007: Starring in Ballet Shoes
In 2007, Emma Watson made her first major foray beyond the Harry Potter franchise, starring in Ballet Shoes.
May 2008: Filming Part in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Emma Watson's part for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince was filmed from 18 December to 17 May 2008.
November 2008: Delay of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince premiere
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince was delayed from November 2008.
December 2008: Voice Acting in The Tale of Despereaux
In December 2008, Emma Watson voiced the character Princess Pea in the animation The Tale of Despereaux, a children's comedy, based on the 2003 novel of the same name.
2008: Voice acting in The Tale of Despereaux
In 2008, Emma Watson lent her voice to The Tale of Despereaux.
February 2009: Filming Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
In February 2009, Emma Watson took a gap year after finishing secondary school to film Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Parts 1 & 2.
February 2009: Filming of Deathly Hallows began
On 18 February 2009, Emma Watson's filming for the final installment, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, began.
March 2009: Ranked on Forbes List of Most Valuable Young Stars
In March 2009, Emma Watson was ranked sixth on the Forbes list of "Most Valuable Young Stars", recognizing her success and influence in the entertainment industry.
June 2009: Confirmation of Burberry partnership
In June 2009, Emma Watson confirmed she would be partnering with Burberry as the face of their Autumn/Winter 2009 campaign.
July 2009: Premiere of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince premiered on 15 July 2009.
September 2009: Involvement with People Tree
In September 2009, Emma Watson announced her involvement with People Tree, a fair trade fashion brand, as a creative advisor.
February 2010: Hollywood's Highest-Paid Female Star
In February 2010, Emma Watson became Hollywood's highest-paid female star, having earned an estimated £19 million in 2009. This marked a significant achievement in her career and financial success.
February 2010: Release of People Tree collection
In February 2010, Emma Watson's spring line of clothing with People Tree was released, featuring styles inspired by southern France and London. The collection was widely publicized.
May 2010: Talks to star in The Perks of Being a Wallflower
In May 2010, Emma Watson was reported to be in talks to star in Stephen Chbosky's The Perks of Being a Wallflower, based on the 1999 novel of the same name.
June 2010: Appearance in One Night Only music video
In June 2010, Emma Watson appeared in a music video for One Night Only, "Say You Don't Want It", which was screened on Channel 4 on 26 June 2010.
June 2010: Filming for Deathly Hallows ended
On 12 June 2010, Emma Watson's filming for the final installment, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, ended.
November 2010: Release of Deathly Hallows Part 1
In November 2010, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 was released.
2010: Appearing in Burberry's Spring/Summer campaign
In 2010, Emma Watson appeared in Burberry's Spring/Summer campaign alongside her brother Alex, musicians George Craig and Matt Gilmour, and model Max Hurd.
March 2011: Chosen as the face of Lancôme
In March 2011, Emma Watson announced she had been chosen as the face of Lancôme.
July 2011: Release of Deathly Hallows Part 2
In July 2011, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 was released.
2011: Balancing Films and Education
From 2011 Emma Watson split her time between working on films and continuing her education.
2011: Appearance in My Week with Marilyn
In 2011, Emma Watson appeared in My Week with Marilyn as Lucy, a wardrobe assistant.
February 2012: Joining the cast of The Bling Ring
On February 2012, Emma Watson joined the cast of The Bling Ring, a satirical crime film directed by Sofia Coppola, based on the real-life Bling Ring robberies, with Watson playing a fictionalised version of Alexis Neiers.
June 2012: Confirmation for role in Noah
In June 2012, Emma Watson was confirmed for the role as Ila, Shem's wife, in Darren Aronofsky's Noah, which began filming the following month and was released in March 2014.
September 2012: Release of The Perks of Being a Wallflower
In September 2012, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, starring Emma Watson alongside Logan Lerman, was released to favourable reviews. Watson played Sam, a high school senior.
2012: Starring in The Perks of Being a Wallflower
In 2012, Emma Watson starred as Sam, a flirtatious, free-spirited student in The Perks of Being a Wallflower, to critical success.
March 2013: Negotiations for Cinderella role
In March 2013, Emma Watson was in negotiations to star as the title character in Kenneth Branagh's live-action Disney adaptation of Cinderella but turned it down because she did not connect with the character.
2013: Portraying Alexis Neiers in The Bling Ring
In 2013, Emma Watson received further acclaim for portraying Alexis Neiers in Sofia Coppola's The Bling Ring.
2013: British GQ's Woman of the Year
In 2013, Emma Watson was named British GQ's Woman of the Year and topped Empire's list of the 100 Sexiest Movie Stars, acknowledging her influence and appeal in the media and entertainment.
January 2014: Release of "Pantomime" featuring background vocals by Watson
On January 2014, the song "Pantomime" by singer Ben Hammersley, featuring background vocals performed by Emma Watson, alongside Ólafur Arnalds, was released.
March 2014: Release of Noah
In March 2014, the movie Noah, starring Emma Watson as Ila, was released. The film received mixed reviews, but Watson's performance was praised.
May 2014: Graduation from Brown University
In May 2014, Emma Watson graduated from Brown University with a bachelor's degree in English literature.
July 2014: UN Women Goodwill Ambassador Appointment
In July 2014, Emma Watson was appointed as a UN Women Goodwill ambassador, marking a significant step in her advocacy for gender equality and women's rights. This appointment amplified her platform to address gender-based issues on a global scale and signaled her commitment to advancing the UN's goals in this area.
November 2014: Paddington Bear Statue Design
In November 2014, Emma Watson designed a Paddington Bear statue as part of a London-wide initiative to promote the film Paddington. The statue was later auctioned to raise funds for the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC).
2014: Starring in Noah and Winning British Artist of the Year
In 2014, Emma Watson starred as the titular character's adoptive daughter in Darren Aronofsky's biblical epic Noah. That same year, she was honoured by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, winning British Artist of the Year.
January 2015: Speech at the World Economic Forum
In January 2015, Emma Watson gave a speech about gender equality at the World Economic Forum's annual winter meeting. She addressed global leaders and influencers, further solidifying her role as an advocate for gender equality on an international stage.
2015: Starring in thrillers Colonia and Regression
In 2015, Emma Watson starred in two thrillers: Colonia, opposite Daniel Brühl and Michael Nyqvist, and Regression, alongside Ethan Hawke and David Thewlis. Both films received generally negative reviews.
2015: Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People
In 2015, Emma Watson was listed among Time magazine's 100 most influential people in the world, recognizing her activism, philanthropy, and support for women's rights. She has also received recognitions for her style, from the Teen Choice Awards and British Fashion Awards.
January 2016: Our Shared Shelf Book Club Start
In January 2016, Emma Watson started a feminist Goodreads book club called "Our Shared Shelf." The club aimed to share feminist ideas and encourage discussion, selecting one book per month. The first book was "My Life on the Road" by Gloria Steinem.
February 2016: Announcing year-long break from acting
In February 2016, Emma Watson announced she was taking a year-long break from acting to focus on personal development and her women's rights work.
February 2016: Visiting Fellow at Lady Margaret Hall
In February 2016, Emma Watson was appointed as a visiting fellow at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford University. This appointment signifies her academic achievements and ongoing engagement with higher education.
2016: Wearing Calvin Klein gown to Met Gala
In 2016, Emma Watson wore a Calvin Klein gown made from recycled plastic bottles to the Met Gala, described as an early adopter of sustainable fashion.
2016: Visit to Malawi
In 2016, on International Day of the Girl Child, Emma Watson visited Malawi in her role as UN Women Goodwill Ambassador. She met with traditional chiefs and girls who had returned to school after being freed from child marriage, advocating for girls' education and empowerment.
2017: Updating The Press Tour Instagram account
In 2017, Emma Watson began updating an Instagram account entitled "The Press Tour", detailing the ethical brands she wore during the press tours for films such as Beauty and the Beast and The Circle.
2017: Starring as Belle in Beauty and the Beast
In 2017, Emma Watson starred as Belle in the live-action Disney adaptation of Beauty and the Beast, directed by Bill Condon, opposite Dan Stevens. The film grossed over $1.2 billion worldwide.
2017: Forbes Ranking Among Highest-Paid Actresses
In 2017, Forbes ranked Emma Watson among the world's highest-paid actresses, with annual earnings of $14 million, highlighting her continued success and earning power in the film industry.
February 2018: Donation to Time's Up UK
In February 2018, Emma Watson donated £1 million to Time's Up UK. She also played a role in establishing industry guidelines on bullying and harassment. She later helped set up the organization's Justice and Equality Fund, which donated to women's groups across the country.
March 2018: Guest-edited Vogue Australia
In March 2018, Emma Watson guest-edited the March issue of Vogue Australia focusing on fashion sustainability and was photographed by Peter Lindbergh for the magazine.
2018: Founding Member of Time's Up UK
In 2018, Emma Watson helped launch Time's Up UK as a founding member.
July 2019: Launch of Legal Helpline & G7 Advisory Group
In July 2019, Emma Watson helped launch a legal helpline for sexual harassment victims, in partnership with Rights of Women. In the same year, she joined a G7 gender equality advisory group convened by Emmanuel Macron to advocate for political and economic advances for women.
2019: Starring as Meg March in Little Women
In 2019, Emma Watson starred as Meg March in Greta Gerwig's adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's novel Little Women, co-starring with Saoirse Ronan, Florence Pugh, and others. The film was critically acclaimed.
2019: Appointment to G7 Advisory Body for Women's Rights
In 2019, Emma Watson was appointed to a G7 advisory body for women's rights, consulting with leaders on foreign policy.
2019: Carbon Footprint Analysis
In 2019, researchers analyzed Emma Watson's carbon footprint and found it was the lowest of the celebrities analyzed, but her CO2 emissions from flying alone were still three times the global average.
January 2020: Partnered with ThredUP
In January 2020, Emma Watson partnered with consignment website ThredUP to launch a "Fashion Footprint Calculator", which allows website visitors to calculate the carbon impact of their wardrobes and ways to reduce it.
January 2020: Our Shared Shelf Halts Updates
In January 2020, Emma Watson's feminist book club, Our Shared Shelf, ceased updates, but remained open as a discussion board. The online book club fostered dialogue and engagement with feminist literature.
June 2020: Appointed to Kering's board of directors
In June 2020, Emma Watson was appointed the youngest member of the board of directors of Kering, the owner of fashion brands such as Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent, and will chair Kering's sustainability committee.
June 2020: Support for Black Lives Matter
In June 2020, in support of the George Floyd protests, Emma Watson shared anti-racism educational resources on social media and interviewed Reni Eddo-Lodge for a Spotify podcast episode about Lodge's book "Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race".
July 2020: Reimagining the London Underground Map
In July 2020, Emma Watson partnered with Reni Eddo-Lodge and the WOW Foundation to reimagine the London Underground Map, renaming the stops to highlight women and non-binary people who have shaped the city's history. The initiative will be published by Haymarket Books on International Women's Day 2021.
2020: Appointment to the Board of Directors of Kering
From 2020, Emma Watson sat on the board of directors of Kering, a luxury brand group, in her capacity as an advocate for sustainable fashion.
2020: Discussing future career plans
In 2020, Emma Watson discussed her future career plans, stating her intention to amplify more voices and learn from diverse experiences, with a focus on activism and fewer public appearances.
June 2021: Investment in FabricNano
In June 2021, it was reported that Emma Watson was among a group of investors who funded $12.5 million into FabricNano. FabricNano is a startup developing sustainable alternatives to petrochemical products.
2021: Hosting Climate Change Panel
In 2021, at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, Emma Watson hosted a panel on climate change with climate activist Greta Thunberg.
August 2022: Face of Prada Beauty's Paradoxe fragrance
In August 2022, Emma Watson became the face of Prada Beauty's new fragrance Paradoxe, starring in, directing, writing, and narrating the short film for the fragrance's promotional campaign.
2022: Reunion with Harry Potter cast members
In 2022, Emma Watson reunited with multiple cast members of the Harry Potter film series for an HBO Max special titled Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts.
April 2023: Launch of Renais Gin
In April 2023, Emma Watson and her brother Alex launched Renais, a sustainable gin brand made from recycled skin grapes and certified carbon neutral. The Watsons drew inspiration from their childhood in France and their father's wine business for the brand.
September 2023: Soho House Award Win
In September 2023, Emma Watson and her brother won the Soho House Award for "Breakthrough Entrepreneur" for their gin brand, Renais, recognizing their success in the spirits industry.
2023: Stepping down from Board of Directors of Kering
From 2020 to 2023, Emma Watson sat on the board of directors of Kering, a luxury brand group, in her capacity as an advocate for sustainable fashion.
2023: End of term in the board of directors of Kering
In 2023, Emma Watson ended her term in the board of directors of Kering, owner of various fashion brands such as Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent, where she served since June 2020.
January 2024: Face of Prada's Re-Nylon collection
In January 2024, Emma Watson became the face of Prada's Re-Nylon collection, the sustainable product line of the brand.
January 2025: Renais Raises $6 Million
In January 2025, it was reported that Renais, the gin brand co-founded by Emma Watson and her brother, raised $6 million for investment, indicating growth and confidence in the brand's future.
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