Emma Watson’s sexy British GQ cover

MANILA, Philippines – A glance at the May issue of British GQ might make you think Emma Watson has shed her “good girl” image.

The 22-year-old actress, best known for playing the know-it-all Hermione in the “Harry Potter” series, has her hair in waves and wears a skimpy, cut-out dress in the cover. With a come-hither expression on her face and tattoos on her waist, this is her sexiest photo yet.

But the risqué turn ends there. Watson is merely channelling her character Nicki in Sofia Coppola’s upcoming film, “The Bling Ring.”

The movie is about the notorious group of teenagers who allegedly stole designer goods from the homes of celebrities like Lindsay Lohan, Megan Foxx, Miranda Kerr and Paris Hilton from 2008 to 2009.

‘Big departure’

The more adult role is something Watson was keen on taking on.

“This has been a really big departure for me; it’s a really big character,” said Watson in a Huffington Post article.

“That’s so exciting for me because it meant I was really acting.”

The British actress added, “When I read the script and I realized that essentially it was a meditation on fame and what it’s become to our society, I had to do it.”

But Nicki couldn’t be more different from Emma.

“The character is everything that I felt strongly against—she’s superficial, materialistic, vain, amoral. She’s all of these things and I realized that I hated her. How do you play someone you hate? But I found it really interesting and it gave me a whole new insight into what my job, or my role as an actress, could be,” mused Watson.

Although playing Nicki heralds Watson’s first step into acting in more mature roles, Watson is not likely to go any further. Last March, she shot down rumors that she was in talks to play Anastasia Steele in the film adaptation of the erotic thriller novel “Fifty Shades of Grey.” –With reports from Pia Ranada/Rappler.com

For more, read: Emma Watson reacts to ’50 Shades’ rumor