Emma Watson on Friendship with 'Soulmate' Tom Felton: 'We've Loved Each Other in a Special Way'

Mar. 15, 2025

Tom Felton and Emma Watson.Photo: Emma Watson/InstagramEmma Watsonshowers her formerHarry PottercostarTom Feltonwith love in his new book.In a foreword for Felton’s memoirBeyond the Wand, out now, Watson, 32, praises 35-year-old Felton and their lasting friendship, touching on how she “always struggle(s) to explain to people the nature of our connection and relationship.““For more than 20 years now we’veloved each other in a special way, and I’ve lost count of the times that people have said to me, ‘You must have drunkenly made out, just once!’ ‘You must have kissed!’ ‘There must be something!’ " the actress writes.But according to Watson — who starred as Hermione Granger opposite Felton as her onscreen enemy Draco Malfoy for almost 10 years, across eightPotterfilms — what they have “is far deeper.““We’re soulmates, and we’ve always had each other’s back. I know we always will,” she says. “It makes me emotional to think about it.“Watson also writes, “Friendships are the lynchpin of human existence, and I am so thankful that at crucial turning points in my life, Tom has been there to reassure and understand me. The friendship we share has allowed me to move through some of the most challenging and soul-searching moments in my life.“Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.Emma Watson and Tom Felton.HBO MaxRELATED GALLERY:The Biggest Revelations from Tom Felton’s ‘Beyond the Wand’ MemoirWatson previously toldSeventeenmagazine in 2011 that she"had a huge crush on” Feltonwhile they were filming the first two movies,Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone(2001) andHarry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets(2002).“He was my first crush. He totally knows. We talked about it. We still laugh about it. We are really good friends now, and that’s cool,” she added.During HBO Max’sHarry Potter20th reunion special, which debuted this past January, Watson admitted she used to look for Felton’s name on the call sheet every day during filming.“I used to come in every day and look for his number on the call sheet, it was No. 7, and if his name was on the call sheet, it was an extra-exciting day,” she said.RELATED VIDEO: The Cast ofHarry PotterSays They’ll Always Have a “Close Bond"Also during the anniversary special, Felton noted that he acted like a big brother to Watson during filming. “I became very protective over her,” he said. “I’ve always had a soft spot for her and that continues to this day. There’s always been something that’s like, I don’t know, a kinship.“Felton toldEntertainment Tonightin June 2021, “We are something, if that makes any sense, as far as we’ve been very close for a long time.““And I adore her, I think she’s fantastic. Hopefully, she returns the compliment,” he added. “But as far as the romantic side of it, I think that’s a Slytherin-Gryffindor thing rather than a Tom and Emma thing.“Beyond the Wand: The Magic and Mayhem of Growing Up a Wizardisavailable nowwherever books are sold.

Tom Felton and Emma Watson.Photo: Emma Watson/Instagram

Emma Watsonshowers her formerHarry PottercostarTom Feltonwith love in his new book.In a foreword for Felton’s memoirBeyond the Wand, out now, Watson, 32, praises 35-year-old Felton and their lasting friendship, touching on how she “always struggle(s) to explain to people the nature of our connection and relationship.““For more than 20 years now we’veloved each other in a special way, and I’ve lost count of the times that people have said to me, ‘You must have drunkenly made out, just once!’ ‘You must have kissed!’ ‘There must be something!’ " the actress writes.But according to Watson — who starred as Hermione Granger opposite Felton as her onscreen enemy Draco Malfoy for almost 10 years, across eightPotterfilms — what they have “is far deeper.““We’re soulmates, and we’ve always had each other’s back. I know we always will,” she says. “It makes me emotional to think about it.“Watson also writes, “Friendships are the lynchpin of human existence, and I am so thankful that at crucial turning points in my life, Tom has been there to reassure and understand me. The friendship we share has allowed me to move through some of the most challenging and soul-searching moments in my life.“Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.Emma Watson and Tom Felton.HBO MaxRELATED GALLERY:The Biggest Revelations from Tom Felton’s ‘Beyond the Wand’ MemoirWatson previously toldSeventeenmagazine in 2011 that she"had a huge crush on” Feltonwhile they were filming the first two movies,Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone(2001) andHarry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets(2002).“He was my first crush. He totally knows. We talked about it. We still laugh about it. We are really good friends now, and that’s cool,” she added.During HBO Max’sHarry Potter20th reunion special, which debuted this past January, Watson admitted she used to look for Felton’s name on the call sheet every day during filming.“I used to come in every day and look for his number on the call sheet, it was No. 7, and if his name was on the call sheet, it was an extra-exciting day,” she said.RELATED VIDEO: The Cast ofHarry PotterSays They’ll Always Have a “Close Bond"Also during the anniversary special, Felton noted that he acted like a big brother to Watson during filming. “I became very protective over her,” he said. “I’ve always had a soft spot for her and that continues to this day. There’s always been something that’s like, I don’t know, a kinship.“Felton toldEntertainment Tonightin June 2021, “We are something, if that makes any sense, as far as we’ve been very close for a long time.““And I adore her, I think she’s fantastic. Hopefully, she returns the compliment,” he added. “But as far as the romantic side of it, I think that’s a Slytherin-Gryffindor thing rather than a Tom and Emma thing.“Beyond the Wand: The Magic and Mayhem of Growing Up a Wizardisavailable nowwherever books are sold.

Emma Watsonshowers her formerHarry PottercostarTom Feltonwith love in his new book.

In a foreword for Felton’s memoirBeyond the Wand, out now, Watson, 32, praises 35-year-old Felton and their lasting friendship, touching on how she “always struggle(s) to explain to people the nature of our connection and relationship.”

“For more than 20 years now we’veloved each other in a special way, and I’ve lost count of the times that people have said to me, ‘You must have drunkenly made out, just once!’ ‘You must have kissed!’ ‘There must be something!’ " the actress writes.

But according to Watson — who starred as Hermione Granger opposite Felton as her onscreen enemy Draco Malfoy for almost 10 years, across eightPotterfilms — what they have “is far deeper.”

“We’re soulmates, and we’ve always had each other’s back. I know we always will,” she says. “It makes me emotional to think about it.”

Watson also writes, “Friendships are the lynchpin of human existence, and I am so thankful that at crucial turning points in my life, Tom has been there to reassure and understand me. The friendship we share has allowed me to move through some of the most challenging and soul-searching moments in my life.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.

Emma Watson and Tom Felton.HBO Max

RELATED GALLERY:The Biggest Revelations from Tom Felton’s ‘Beyond the Wand’ Memoir

Watson previously toldSeventeenmagazine in 2011 that she"had a huge crush on” Feltonwhile they were filming the first two movies,Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone(2001) andHarry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets(2002).

“He was my first crush. He totally knows. We talked about it. We still laugh about it. We are really good friends now, and that’s cool,” she added.

During HBO Max’sHarry Potter20th reunion special, which debuted this past January, Watson admitted she used to look for Felton’s name on the call sheet every day during filming.

“I used to come in every day and look for his number on the call sheet, it was No. 7, and if his name was on the call sheet, it was an extra-exciting day,” she said.

RELATED VIDEO: The Cast ofHarry PotterSays They’ll Always Have a “Close Bond”

Also during the anniversary special, Felton noted that he acted like a big brother to Watson during filming. “I became very protective over her,” he said. “I’ve always had a soft spot for her and that continues to this day. There’s always been something that’s like, I don’t know, a kinship.”

Felton toldEntertainment Tonightin June 2021, “We are something, if that makes any sense, as far as we’ve been very close for a long time.”

“And I adore her, I think she’s fantastic. Hopefully, she returns the compliment,” he added. “But as far as the romantic side of it, I think that’s a Slytherin-Gryffindor thing rather than a Tom and Emma thing.”

Beyond the Wand: The Magic and Mayhem of Growing Up a Wizardisavailable nowwherever books are sold.

source: people.com