Emma Watson recently reflected on the “terrible crush” she had on her Harry Potter co-star, Tom Felton, during the early days of filming the iconic series. In a past interview on The Jonathan Ross Show, she revealed that between the ages of ten and twelve, she had a major crush on Felton, who played the character Draco Malfoy. She would even look at the call sheet each morning to see if he was scheduled to be on set that day. Watson humorously recalled that Felton was a few years older, and his rebellious image, complete with a skateboard, captivated her.
Despite her feelings, Felton saw Watson more as a younger sister, which she admitted was heartbreaking at the time. Felton later acknowledged their close friendship, particularly when he released his memoir, Beyond the Wand: The Magic and Mayhem of Growing Up a Wizard, in 2022. In his book, Felton shared that Watson encouraged him to be open and honest in telling his life story, including the challenges he faced growing up in the spotlight. He appreciated her support, noting that sharing his experiences might help others who were going through difficult times.
Watson also spoke about her post-Harry Potter career struggles, explaining that it was challenging to step away from the role of Hermione Granger, a character she had played for a decade. She expressed doubts about her abilities as an actress outside of that role, as she had grown comfortable and confident playing Hermione. This period of uncertainty led her to question her potential to take on new roles and whether she could bring other characters to life convincingly.
The bond between Watson and Felton, despite the unrequited crush, has remained strong over the years. Their story is a testament to the close relationships formed on the set of Harry Potter, which continue to resonate with fans even after the series concluded.