Emma Watson has named Hermione Granger as "her favourite fictional character of all time".
The 31-year-old actress - who first brought the bookish character to life in 2001's 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone' - has celebrated the classic movie's 20th anniversary by sharing an emotional message on social media reflecting on its legacy and her own experiences.
She wrote: “Harry Potter was my home, my family, my world and Hermione (still is) my favorite fictional character of all time. I think a journalist once said it was irritating how many times during an interview I mentioned how lucky I was and started counting… BUT I DAMN WELL KNEW!!! And still know,”
This comes as it was announced that Emma will be reuniting with the cast for a 20th anniversary special airing on HBO Max on January 1.
The ‘Beauty and The Beast’ star continued, saying how “proud” she was of what her work represented to the people it shaped with the magical eight-movie franchise based on seven books set at Hogwarts, the boarding school for training witches and wizards.
She said: “I am proud not just of what we as group contributed as actors to the franchise but also as the children that became young adults that walked that path.”
Emma also shared how “supportive” the cast was - including Daniel Radcliffe, who played the title character, Rupert Grint, who took on Ron Weasley, and Tom Felton, the man behind Draco Malfoy - and how they “held up something meaningful”.
She wrote: “I look at my fellow cast members now and I am just so proud of who everyone has become as people. I am proud we were kind to each other that we supported one another and that we held up something meaningful.”
In addition, the ‘Bling Ring’ star expressed gratitude to the fans, who maintain a passionate love of the series, which ended in 2011 with ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2’.
Emma said: “Thank you to the fans that have continued to show their support well after the last chapter closed. The magic of the world wouldn’t exist without you. Thank you for fighting to make it such an inclusive and loving place.”
She also said he “missed” the crew as she said: “Thank you for your hard work too - I know your contributions sometimes get overlooked.”
Tagged in Daniel Radcliffe Emma Watson Harry Potter