Who Could Replace Emma Watson As Hermione Granger?

You're probably just emotionally recovering from J.K. Rowling announcing a new Harry Potter play called Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Well, prepare to undergo another round of feels: we don't know for certain if the gang is going to return. I know, I know, it's a hard pill to swallow. And, while I'm down with Harry and Ron being replaced by A Very Potter Musical's Darren Criss and Joey Richter respectively, I still need to wonder, which British actresses could fill Watson's shoes as Hermione Granger?

The short answer is none. Approximately none actresses. We all had a vision of Hermione in our head when we started reading the books, one that wasn't necessarily in line with Watson's portrayal. Personally, I was always wary of how big her front teeth were supposed to be, so I usually just imagined a beaver carrying seven pounds of books. But, once Watson hit the screen, there was no other Hermione. That girl is canon to me. Hands down.

But what can we say? Watson's fighting the patriarchy, and embarking on a magical movie career now; she doesn't necessarily want to put on her old Hogwarts robes. So, in the case that she doesn't come back, here's a few suggestions of who else could play... perhaps an older and somehow wiser Miss Granger, at a couple of junctures of her life.

1. Emilia Clarke

We all know the Mother of Dragons has no shortage of boldness, but she also has the habit of slipping into already-iconic roles. Let's not forget that she's playing a brand new Sarah Connor in the next Terminator film. And she's already been on stage before... as Holly Golightly, a character you would think is permanently associated with Audrey Hepburn. As she's among the youngest on this list, and already looks properly youthful, I think she could at least score an audition for a 20-something-year-old Hermione.

2. Keira Knightley

Though it feels like a waste to see Knightley in anything that's not a corset or bustle, maybe she'd make for a decent, on-the-verge-of-30 Hermione. We've seen her make that transition from proper lady who lives to scold adventurers to badass HBIC in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies... and that seems like a very Hermione-esque narrative. If nothing else, her coloring is similar to Waston's, so maybe that would de-harsh the transition?

3. Hayley Atwell

Another Hermione-in-her-30's pick? Well, Agent Carter definitely makes the cut. Atwell could fight patriarchy and sigh at the idiocy of her male companions with little to no struggle. It's already a second-nature talent by now.

4. Juno Temple

She's actually Watson's age, and, if you add some brown hair dye, you'll get the grown-up version of what should've happened to her 11-year-old hair. Actually, come to think of it, she'd probably make for a good 25-year-old Luna as is.

5. Emily Blunt

An Emily replacing an Emma? Close enough. If Hermione ever ends up a brutally condescending mom who's filled with unintentional hilarity, then we got our girl.

6. Helen Mirren

If the play is about her divorcing Ron and rising to power as the headmistress of Hogwarts as a sassy 60-year-old woman, it's only fair to give this to the queen.

7. Julie Andrews

Same concept, but she's in her 70's, and it's a musical with the break-out song "Wingardium Leviosa." As hard as it will be to imagine anyone but Watson in the role of one of our feminist icons, I think any of these actresses would do a fantastic job. Especially Julie Andrews.

Images: Warner Bros. Studios; Giphy (7)