Emma Watson's father has a warning for new Harry Potter cast's parents. 'This can go either way...'
Chris Watson's Cautionary Advice
Keeping Emma Grounded
Advice from Past Child Stars
HBO's upcoming Harry Potter television series has officially unveiled the child actors who will take on the central roles of Harry, Hermione, and Ron. After a reported 30,000 children auditioned, the coveted parts have gone to Dominic McLaughlin, Arabella Stanton, and Alastair Stout. They are set to follow in the footsteps of Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson , and Rupert Grint, whose performances defined a generation of fans.The series, announced in 2023, is expected to offer a more detailed adaptation of J.K. Rowling's bestselling novels, with each season exploring one book in depth.In light of the announcement, Chris Watson, father of Emma Watson, shared his perspective on what lies ahead for the new cast and their families. Speaking to Times Radio, he described the experience of parenting a child star as one filled with uncertainty. "As a parent you have to be scared. And you think this can go either way. This is a very difficult thing to handle for a child and a parent, or not. And while there are many upsides, nothing is perfect and you have to recognise, there are going to be a whole load of downsides and some of them you could not have imagined."Emma's rise to fame began at age 11, when she was cast as Hermione Granger. Over the next decade, she earned widespread recognition and considerable fortune—reportedly £60 million—while growing up under constant public attention. Chris explained that it was crucial to maintain a sense of normalcy at home, noting, 'It certainly helped that I don't actually watch movies. It's not a big thing in the house, and so the chance of her getting stage struck was quite limited.'Chris Watson made it a priority to balance Emma's film commitments with her education and hobbies. 'Normal life continued as far as possible,' he said. 'Her homework would go back to school on motorbikes, admittedly, but she had to do her homework.' He also stressed that the production studio had to understand Emma's life was not defined solely by acting. 'She had homework to do... she played a little bit of cricket as well.'Chris added that he would be happy to speak with the parents of the new cast, offering guidance based on his own experiences. He recognized the immense pressures involved and expressed his willingness to help them navigate this unfamiliar territory.Former Game of Thrones actor Isaac Hempstead Wright also shared advice for the new trio. Reflecting on his own experience, he encouraged them to embrace the journey: 'Enjoy every minute of it' and 'take every opportunity it affords.' He added that being part of a major franchise makes the world feel 'a much smaller place,' as recognition follows everywhere.Meanwhile, Harry Potter alumni have often spoken about the challenges of growing up in the spotlight. Daniel Radcliffe has previously admitted to struggling with fame during his teenage years, turning to alcohol before achieving sobriety in 2012. Emma Watson, at age 19, questioned how much agency she had in joining the franchise so young, once saying, 'It's very hard to go back to that time and be like, 'Did I want to do this?' It feels very foggy.'The upcoming series, slated for release in 2026, will see Rowling serve as an executive producer. Speaking about the casting announcement, she expressed full confidence in the young actors, stating, 'All three are wonderful. I couldn't be happier.'
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She has proved it with her role as Jules in HBO's Euphoria and the films like The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. Additionally, her beauty and regal aura also align perfectly with Princess Zelda's mystical elegance, who is far more than just royalty. She is the emotional core and bears the Triforce of Wisdom as she faces immense burdens. Schafer, in this respect, excels at conveying the complex inner strength and vulnerabilities, the qualities that are essential for the Hylian princess role. Shafer's performances show her ability to carry significant dramatic weight via her presence and subtlety. Zelda quite often shoulders the emotional gravity of the narrative alongside the typically silent Link. The proven skill of Schafer in portraying the layered and resilient characters equips her quite uniquely to bring determination, wisdom, and the regal spirit of Zelda authentically to life. Is Sydney Sweeney a fit for Zelda's role? Sydney Sweeney, while being popular, quite often finds herself to be typecast. The critiques point to her performances within projects like Madame Web and Anyone But You, which lack the depth and emotional resonance required in the role of Zelda. Sweeney's perceived reliance upon some specific personal traits does not align with the multifaceted nature of the princess. Sweeney's acting, quite particularly outside Euphoria, has been described to be flat. It's said she lacks in building genuine connections. Zelda, on the other hand, demands the actress who is capable of projecting authority, wisdom, deep emotion, and grace without being reliant on some established tropes. The recent filmography of Sweeney further suggests her struggle to consistently deliver the level of a nuanced and commanding presence. Undoubtedly, Sydney Sweeney performances were deep in Euphoria, within the chaotic and emotionally volatile role, but outside it, she is said to have lacked subtlety. Not to mention, her on-screen persona, as said by her fans and movie reviewers, is also often reliant on the overt sensuality that clashes with the dignified presence of Zelda. The princess, for sure, is mystical but not seductive. On the other hand, Hunter Schafer Zelda can exude otherworldly charm, without reducing the character to just some mere aesthetics. What does Zelda's character demand? Princess of Hyrule isn't a damsel or just a pretty face. She is a scholar, ruler, leader, bearer of divine power, and quite often the pivotal force in the battle against darkness. Zelda's role demands an actress who embodies regality, quiet resilience, authority, and profound intelligence. Physical resemblance is just a starting point and not the finish. Schafer's performances prove she can handle the complexity. Moreover, authenticity in conveying Zelda's emotional journey—showing fear, compassion, resolve, and leadership- is paramount. 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