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 a highly successful English actress, recognized as one of the world's highest-paid actresses by Forbes and Vanity Fair. She gained international fame for her role in the Harry Potter film series. Beyond acting, Watson has been recognized for her influence, being named one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people. She has also been honored by Forbes on their 30 Under 30 list, acknowledging her achievements and impact in the entertainment industry and beyond.
1999: Started Auditioning for Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
In 1999, casting began for Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, and Emma Watson auditioned after being found by casting agents through her Oxford theatre teacher. She was nine years old at her first audition, and auditioned a total of eight times before earning the role. J.K. Rowling supported her casting 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 screen performance in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
In 2001, Emma Watson made her debut screen performance with the release of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. The film broke records and was the highest-grossing film of the year. Watson received particular acclaim and won the Young Artist Award for Leading Young Actress. She was also chosen as one of Entertainment Weekly's Breakout Performers of 2001.
2004: Release of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
In 2004, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban was released. Emma Watson appreciated Hermione's more assertive role and her performance was lauded by critics, earning her two Otto Awards and the Child Performance of the Year award from Total Film.
2005: Modelling Career Begins with Teen Vogue
In 2005, Emma Watson began her modeling career with a photo shoot for Teen Vogue, becoming 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, marking new milestones for Emma Watson and the film series. Critics praised the increasing maturity of Watson and her co-stars. She also won a bronze Otto Award for her performance.
2006: Played Hermione 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: Signed on for final Harry Potter installments
On 23 March 2007, Emma Watson signed on to continue her role as Hermione Granger for the final Harry Potter installments, after hesitating due to the significant time commitment.
July 2007: Left imprints at Grauman's Chinese Theatre
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, her earnings from the Harry Potter series were said to have exceeded £10 million.
2007: Starred in Ballet Shoes
In 2007, Emma Watson starred in Ballet Shoes, her first major role outside of the Harry Potter series.
May 2008: Finished Filming Part in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
On 17 May 2008, Emma Watson finished filming her part in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, which had begun on 18 December 2007.
November 2008: Postponement of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince premiere
In November 2008, the premiere of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince was postponed and rescheduled to July 2009.
December 2008: Voiced Princess Pea in The Tale of Despereaux
In December 2008, Emma Watson voiced the character Princess Pea in the animated film The Tale of Despereaux, based on the 2003 novel of the same name by Kate DiCamillo.
2008: Voiced Princess Pea in The Tale of Despereaux
In 2008, Emma Watson lent her voice to the character Princess Pea in The Tale of Despereaux.
February 2009: Began filming Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
In February 2009, Emma Watson began filming Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Parts 1 & 2 after taking a gap year.
June 2009: Partnership with Burberry Confirmed
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, after being delayed from November 2008. Critics reviewed the lead actors at the same level as the rest of the all-star cast.
September 2009: Involvement with People Tree Announced
In September 2009, Emma Watson announced her involvement with People Tree, a fair trade fashion brand, as a creative advisor.
February 2010: Release of People Tree Clothing Line
In February 2010, Emma Watson's spring line of clothing with People Tree was released, featuring styles inspired by southern France and London.
May 2010: Negotiations for The Perks of Being a Wallflower Role
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: Appeared in One Night Only music video
In June 2010, Emma Watson appeared in the music video "Say You Don't Want It" for One Night Only. The video was screened on Channel 4 on 26 June 2010 and released on 16 August.
June 2010: Ended Filming Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
On 12 June 2010, Emma Watson ended filming for the final installment, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
November 2010: Release of Harry Potter and the 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 and others.
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 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2
In July 2011, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 was released, becoming a commercial and critical success and Watson's most commercially successful film to date.
2011: Appeared in My Week with Marilyn
In 2011, Emma Watson appeared in My Week with Marilyn as Lucy, a wardrobe assistant.
February 2012: Joining The Bling Ring Cast
On February 29, 2012, Emma Watson joined the cast of The Bling Ring, directed by Sofia Coppola. She played a fictionalized version of Alexis Neiers.
June 2012: Watson confirmed for role in Noah
In June 2012, Emma Watson was confirmed for the role of Ila, Shem's wife, in Darren Aronofsky's Noah.
September 2012: Release of The Perks of Being a Wallflower
In September 2012, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, starring Emma Watson, was released. She played the role of Sam, a high school senior. The film received favorable reviews.
2012: Starred in The Perks of Being a Wallflower
In 2012, Emma Watson starred as Sam in The Perks of Being a Wallflower, receiving critical success.
March 2013: Negotiations for Cinderella Role
In March 2013, Emma Watson was in negotiations to star in Disney's live-action adaptation of Cinderella, but she turned down the role.
2013: Portrayed Alexis Neiers in The Bling Ring
In 2013, Emma Watson portrayed Alexis Neiers in Sofia Coppola's The Bling Ring, receiving further acclaim.
2013: Release of The Bling Ring and This Is the End
In 2013, Emma Watson starred in two films, The Bling Ring and This Is the End. The Bling Ring received mixed reviews, but Watson's performance was praised. She also played an exaggerated version of herself in This Is the End.
January 2014: Release of Pantomime featuring Watson's Vocals
In January 2014, the song Pantomime by Ben Hammersley, featuring background vocals by Emma Watson, was released.
March 2014: Release of Noah
In March 2014, the film Noah, starring Emma Watson as Ila, was released. The film received mixed reviews but was a box office success.
May 2014: Graduated from Brown University and Appointed UN Women Goodwill Ambassador
In May 2014, Emma Watson graduated from Brown University with a bachelor's degree in English literature. That year, she was appointed a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador and helped launch the UN Women campaign HeForShe, which advocates for gender equality.
May 2014: Graduated from Brown University
On 25 May 2014, Emma Watson graduated from Brown University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature.
2014: Starred in Noah and won British Artist of the Year
In 2014, Emma Watson starred 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.
2015: Releases of Colonia and Regression
In 2015, Emma Watson starred in two thriller films, Colonia and Regression. Both films received generally negative reviews. She also appeared in an episode of BBC's The Vicar of Dibley.
February 2016: Announcement of Acting Break
In February 2016, Emma Watson announced that she would be taking a year-long break from acting to focus on personal development and women's rights work.
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. She had autonomy in portraying Belle, incorporating bloomers and boots into the wardrobe. The film grossed over $1.2 billion worldwide.
2018: Helped launch Time's Up UK
In 2018, Emma Watson helped launch Time's Up UK as a founding member.
2019: Starring in Little Women
In 2019, Emma Watson starred as Meg March in Greta Gerwig's adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's novel Little Women. The film was critically acclaimed.
2019: Starred as Meg March in Little Women
In 2019, Emma Watson starred as Meg March in Greta Gerwig's coming-of-age drama Little Women.
2019: Appointed to a 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.
January 2020: Partnership with ThredUP for Fashion Footprint Calculator
In January 2020, Emma Watson partnered with consignment website ThredUP to launch a Fashion Footprint Calculator.
June 2020: Appointment to Kering's Board of Directors
In June 2020, Emma Watson was appointed the youngest member of the board of directors of Kering and will chair Kering's sustainability committee.
2020: Sat on the 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.
2020: Future Career Plans Discussed
In 2020, Emma Watson discussed her future career plans, stating she wanted to focus on amplifying other voices and learning from different experiences with fewer red carpets and more conference meetings.
August 2022: Face of Prada Beauty's Paradoxe Fragrance
In August 2022, Emma Watson became the face of Prada Beauty's new fragrance Paradoxe and starred in, directed, wrote, and narrated the short film for the campaign.
2022: Harry Potter Reunion Special
In 2022, Emma Watson reunited with Harry Potter cast members for an HBO Max special, Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts.
2023: Sat on the 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 at Kering
In 2023, Emma Watson's term as a board member at Kering concluded.
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.
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