Emma Watson opens up on 'very big decision' to take a break from acting

Emma Watson has reflected on her acting career and said she is glad she let her life 'become messy' when she took a break from acting.

For many Potterheads who watched the series as a kid, we have watched Emma Watson grow up from bubbly child into a confident woman.

However, due to starring in such a massive franchise from age 10, the British star has very much been in the limelight for most of her life.

While the original Harry Potter franchise concluded over a decade ago in 2011 - yes it really has been that long - the actor continued to star in films as the years went by.

However, the last film she starred in was 2019's Little Women, seemingly taking a break from the career that made her a household name.

Now 33, Watson spoke to British Vogue for an interview and reflected on this decision and the positive impact it has had on her life.

Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images

“Because I’m in a career that moves very quickly, the decision to take time to do these things felt like a very big decision,” Watson said of the move.

“[Choosing] to go back and write and study and get behind the camera was terrifying for me because I’d never done it before. I had always been in front of the camera; I’d always been an actor.

“I’m just so glad that I did [step away from acting] because I have this feeling of having my own voice and creative space and sovereignty in some way that I don’t think I did before – more autonomy,”

Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

“I’m so glad that I allowed things to be messy for a minute and to really allow myself to not know [what’s next], because the knowing that I’ve come to, I wouldn’t trade that for anything.”

In previous interviews, Watson has explained what brought on the desire to leave acting, at least for the time being.

Speaking to the FT, she said: “I wasn’t very happy, if I’m being honest. I think I felt a bit caged.

“The thing I found really hard was that I had to go out and sell something that I really didn’t have very much control over. To stand in front of a film and have every journalist be able to say, ‘How does this align with your viewpoint?’

“It was very difficult to have to be the face and the spokesperson for things where I didn’t get to be involved in the process.”