Philosopher’s Stone

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was the first in a series of what would become eight films based upon J.K. Rowling’s best-selling book about a young boy wizard and his two best friends.

Little did nine year old Emma Watson know that this was to become the most successful film franchise of all time and she the most famous and revered young actress in the world when she first auditioned for the role of bookish Hermione Granger. In the Autumn of 2000 a then ten year old Emma Watson picked her up wand for the first time as director Christopher Columbus shouted “action”.... and the rest as they say is history.

“Looking back I can’t quite believe I had the confidence at such a young age to put myself forward, but I remember wanting this role so badly. My first day on set was in Yorkshire, filming the very last scene with Dan and Rupert and the Hogwarts Express and Robbie Coltrane dressed as Hagrid. It all seems so long ago now” says Emma.

The film also co-starred 11 year old Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter), 12 year old Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley) and Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy).  The children soon got to grips with their characters, a mountain troll, a giant chess set and a three headed dog, not to mention one very sinister Potions Professor superbly portrayed by actor Alan Rickman.  Other notable performances include Maggie Smith as Professor McGonagall, Zoe Wanamaker as Professor Hooch and Ian Hart as Professor Quirrell, the very first Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor.