More than 15 years after the final Harry Potter film hit cinema screens, actors Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint have taken sharply contrasting paths in film, theater, and private life.
While some members of the cast continued acting in mainstream movies, others shifted into independent cinema, directing, higher education, or environmental activism. The updates come as actor Rupert Grint announced in August 2026 that he will return to his iconic role on Broadway, while television network HBO prepares to launch a new Harry Potter series in December 2026.
Daniel Radcliffe and independent cinema
Daniel Radcliffe, who starred as Harry Potter, made a deliberate choice to avoid commercial blockbusters after the movie series concluded. Instead, he chose to focus on independent and auteur cinema projects.
Radcliffe took on varied roles, playing a First World War soldier in My Boy Jack and portraying a character accused of murdering Beatnik poet Allen Ginsberg in Kill Your Darlings. In the thriller Horns, he played a carnivorous horned demon, and he also appeared in the feature films The Woman in Black and Jungle.
Off-screen, Radcliffe began dating actress Erin Darke in 2012 after meeting on the set of Kill Your Darlings. The couple married in 2020 and had a son, Aaron, in 2023. Radcliffe maintains an active acting schedule, starring as Arthur Tobin in the television series The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins in early 2026 alongside ongoing stage theater performances.
Emma Watson and executive leadership
Emma Watson, who played Hermione Granger, partly followed her character's academic path by prioritizing her studies after the franchise wrapped. She earned a bachelor's degree in English literature from Brown University in 2014 and enrolled at Oxford University in 2023 to complete a master's degree in creative writing.
Her film credits after the franchise include roles in The Perks of Being a Wallflower, The Bling Ring, and Noah. In 2017, she starred as Belle in the Disney live-action remake of Beauty and the Beast.
Watson was previously in relationships with actors Jay Barrymore and Johnny Simmons, as well as model George Craig. Her most serious relationship was with businessman Leo Robinton, with the couple announcing their engagement in February 2021 before breaking up in October of that year.
Watson has not appeared in a feature film since the 2020 release of Little Women. She explained that her break from acting was caused by fatigue and a desire to spend time on her personal life, though she did not rule out returning to the screen. She currently sits on the board of directors for the fashion conglomerate Kering, where she oversees ethical fashion and environmental issues, while running her own sustainable clothing brand and working as a political activist.
Rupert Grint and Broadway stage returns
Rupert Grint, who portrayed Ron Weasley, took a different path from his lead co-stars by choosing a quiet family life away from Hollywood. He met actress Georgia Groome in 2011, and the couple married in 2018. They welcomed their first daughter, Wednesday, in 2020, naming her after the day of the week she was born, and had a second daughter, Goldie, in 2025.
Grint also focused on unconventional auteur projects, performing on Broadway and appearing in music videos for singer Ed Sheeran. In 2021, he appeared as Julian Pearce, one of four lead characters in the drama series Servant.
In August 2026, reports confirmed that Grint will return to the role of an adult Ron Weasley. He is scheduled to perform in the Broadway production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child during the first half of 2027.
Tom Felton and personal recovery
Tom Felton, who played Draco Malfoy, experienced a more difficult transition after the movie series ended in 2011. Working initially in indie films and television, he struggled to prove to Hollywood casting directors that he could play roles other than his childhood antagonist character. He worked continuously without long breaks, but largely took on supporting roles rather than major stardom.
The post-franchise fame presented serious challenges for Felton, who struggled with alcohol addiction and depression during a creative crisis. He recovered following two courses of rehabilitation and support from friends, including former co-star Emma Watson.
In 2022, Felton met jeweler Roxanne Danaya, and the two began a relationship in 2024. While they do not comment publicly on their personal life, reports suggest they are engaged. Felton continues acting in films, starring in the 2025 release Alter in a key role and playing Archibald Davenport in the historical comedy parody Fackham Hall.
Matthew Lewis and dramatic roles
Matthew Lewis, who played Neville Longbottom, starred in the 2016 film Me Before You as the boyfriend of the lead character, who was played by Game of Thrones actress Emilia Clarke.
During the filming of the Harry Potter series, Lewis matured and slimmed down significantly. His physical transformation required makeup artists to fit him with fake teeth and padded suits to simulate his character's fullness on camera.
Lewis met Universal Studios event planner Angela Jones in early 2016, and the couple announced their engagement later that year. They married in 2018 and do not have children. Lewis continues to act, recently playing the lead role of priest Daniel Clement in the television drama series Murder Before Evensong.
Bonnie Wright and environmental activism
Bonnie Wright, who played Ginny Weasley, acted in films until 2016 before turning her focus entirely to directing. She launched her directing career in 2012 after founding her own production company specializing in short film projects, while also working as a model.
Wright married actor Andrew Lococo in 2022, and the couple had a son, Elio, in 2023. In April 2026, news broke that Wright is expecting her second child.
Wright is also an environmental defender who regularly uses her social media presence to address ecological issues, specifically plastic waste pollution across the planet.
Evanna Lynch and creative projects
Evanna Lynch, who portrayed Luna Lovegood, continued working in film and theater after the main series ended. Her acting credits include the indie drama My Name Is Emily, the television film Danny and the Human Zoo, and voice acting for the animated movie My Fairy Troublemaker, though she did not build a high-profile movie career.
Lynch dated actor Robbie Jarvis between 2013 and 2017. In August 2026, it was revealed that she married French gardener Denis Skinner. Lynch admitted that when choosing her wedding date, she consulted a Vedic astrologer who strongly recommended avoiding a solar eclipse day, advice she followed.
Lynch now focuses primarily on work outside of acting set environments, writing books, working with charities, and promoting a vegan lifestyle. She also launched a cosmetics brand that creates eco-friendly products that are not tested on animals.
The lives of the original movie cast remain in focus ahead of December 2026, when HBO is scheduled to premiere its new Harry Potter television series.
