Emma Watson addresses driving ban and new biking hobby on Jay Shetty's On Purpose podcast
The Harry Potter star discusses a six-month driving ban, a shift to cycling, and reflections on fame and friendship after the Potter era.
Emma Watson has spoken publicly about her six-month UK driving ban and her new biking habit on Jay Shetty's On Purpose podcast, released Sept. 24, 2025. The 'Harry Potter' star described the penalties she faced after a July speeding infraction in Oxford, where she was clocked at 38 mph in a 30 mph zone. Because she already had nine points on her license, she was ordered to pay about 1,400 pounds in fines and to refrain from driving for six months.
Watson said she began riding a bicycle before the ban, and noted that the timing of the restriction has made cycling a practical necessity. She recalled the ban drew widespread media attention, describing the coverage as 'mainstream' and saying she was hearing from others who had faced similar penalties that the experience was painful but relatable. She added that messages from those who faced the same penalty were unexpectedly comforting, and she found herself offering to give people lifts when possible.
On the question of the ban, she did not defend the speeding ticket but framed it as part of an awkward transition away from acting. She said she could not drive herself to set for insurance reasons during the period when she was studying and trying to adapt to a new life behind the wheel. Watson is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Creative Writing at Oxford University, and she said she has learned from the experience.
She described the shift as humbling, moving from performing tasks that require extremely complex execution to managing pretty basic life things like keeping to a speed limit. She joked about forgetting keys or how to stay at 30 mph in a 30 mph zone and said there were days she wanted to remind people that she used to be really good at things.
Watson also discussed challenges making friends in Hollywood after the end of the Potter era. She described arriving on sets expecting to find family and a lifelong circle of friends, and found the reality painful, noting that many environments aren’t structured for finding friendships. She stepped away from acting after 2019's Little Women, though she did not rule out a future return; 'I’ll never say that I’ll quit acting. I’ll always be an actor. I’m still open to doing it again.'
Regarding JK Rowling, Watson said she believes no one is disposable and that there is room for nuance. She acknowledged the complicated relationship with the author and said she could love Rowling while disagreeing with some of her views. 'What she has done will never be taken away from me,' Watson said, noting that her work with Radcliffe and Grint remains unaffected by the controversy.
Watson's comments come as she continues her studies and weighs possible future acting projects. The interview reflects a broader trend among former child stars who discuss balancing fame, personal growth, and professional choices while navigating public scrutiny.
