Emma Watson’s Father Warns Parents of New Harry Potter Cast: “You Have to Be Scared”

A Cautionary Message from Chris Watson

June 2, 2025: Chris Watson, father of Harry Potter star Emma Watson, has spoken out with a serious warning to the parents of the newly announced child actors in HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter series. Reflecting on his daughter’s global rise to fame as Hermione Granger, Watson stressed the psychological weight of early stardom. “As a parent, you have to be scared,” he said. “This can go either way. This is a very difficult thing to handle for a child and a parent.”

Introducing the New Trio

HBO’s reboot series is set to delve deeper into J.K. Rowling’s original novels, with each season representing a single book. Following a massive casting search with over 30,000 auditions, Dominic McLaughlin, Arabella Stanton, and Alastair Stout have been selected to play Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley, respectively.

How Emma Stayed Grounded

Watson shared how he and his family managed to keep Emma grounded amid international fame. He attributed much of her stability to their low-key home life. “It certainly helped that I don’t actually watch movies,” he noted. “The chance of her getting stage struck was quite limited.” He also ensured that school and routine activities were maintained despite the chaos of filming.

The Importance of Balance

Chris emphasized the critical need for a healthy balance between work and everyday childhood. “Her homework would go back to school on motorbikes, admittedly, but she had to do her homework,” he said. “Normal life continued as far as possible.” These measures helped Emma maintain a sense of normalcy and personal development through her acting years.

Offering Support to New Cast Parents

Wanting to share his hard-earned insights, Watson expressed openness to helping other parents navigate the unique challenges of raising a child star. “I would be happy to speak with the parents of the new cast, offering guidance based on my own experiences,” he said.

Rowling Backs the New Generation

The upcoming Harry Potter series is slated for release in 2026, with J.K. Rowling onboard as an executive producer. She has voiced full support for the new trio, stating, “All three are wonderful. I couldn’t be happier.”

A Familiar Path, New Caution

As the next generation of young actors prepares to take on the legacy of Hogwarts, Chris Watson’s heartfelt warning underscores the real-life challenges behind the magic—and the importance of parental awareness and support through it all.