Emma Watson covers ELLE UK (March 2017)

Shot by Kerry Halllihan.

Emma is ELLE UK's Woman of the Year and will be at the ceremony in London on February 13, 2017.

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On taking a year off from acting to concentrate on activism:

'It wasn't about me necessarily proving anything… I was just thinking that I have this year to myself, so let's see what we can do to 'move the needle' and make a difference.'

On her role as Belle in Beauty and the Beast:

'For me, Beauty was the perfect, most joyful thing to do... There was something connected about Hermione and Belle, and it was good to be reminded that I am an actress; this is what I do. The film is pure escapism.'

On dealing with her critics:

'It really toughened me up…There is a level of criticism that comes with being an actress and a public figure, which I expect, but once you take a stance on something like feminism, that's a completely different ball game.'

On whether she would consider writing her own book:

'I need to see and do a bit more first... I'm no expert, and when people push me into a corner of "here's Emma Watson to lecture you on feminism", it's uncomfortable because I am aware I have a long way to go. I am not sure I deserve all the respect I get yet, but I'm working on it.'

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