Harry Potter actors Emma Watson and Zoe Wanamaker banned from driving in UK

Harry Potter actors Emma Watson and Zoe Wanamaker banned from driving in UK

Two well-known stars from the beloved Harry Potter film series have been handed driving bans in the UK following separate speeding incidents. Emma Watson, widely recognized for her portrayal of Hermione Granger, and Zoe Wanamaker, who played the strict Quidditch instructor Madame Hooch, were both penalised with six-month driving bans this week.

Emma Watson, now 35, was caught driving at 38 miles per hour in a 30-mph zone in Banbury, southeastern England, last July. The actress was behind the wheel of her blue Audi when the offence occurred.

The case was heard in her absence at the High Wycombe Magistrates' Court, where she was fined $1,400. Emma Watson, currently a student at Oxford University, did not contest the charges. Her lawyer told the court that although Emma Watson is enrolled in full-time education, “she is in a position to pay the fine.”

Zoe Wanamaker, 76, received the same six-month ban for a separate incident that occurred in August. She was clocked driving at 46 miles per hour in a 40-mph zone on the M4 motorway in Berkshire, also in southeastern England. Like Watson, Wanamaker did not attend the court proceedings and was handed a $1,400 fine.

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Both cases were handled independently but by the same magistrates' court. Despite the relatively minor nature of the speeding offences, the driving bans were imposed due to the accumulation of penalty points on their licenses—suggesting previous infractions.

This isn’t the first time that celebrities in the UK have faced consequences for traffic violations, but seeing two Harry Potter alumni penalized on the same day has drawn public attention. The series remains one of the most iconic film franchises globally, and its stars continue to be followed closely by fans and media alike.

Emma Watson has largely stepped away from acting in recent years to focus on education and activism, making occasional public appearances. Zoe Wanamaker continues to work in British television and theatre.