Emma Watson 'related to real-life witch'

Harry Potter star Emma Watson is related to a real-life witch, according to People.

The actress, who plays schoolgirl witch Hermione Granger in the franchise, can reportedly trace her roots back to a 16th century woman who was convicted of witchcraft.

"It's not every day we're able to trace the branches of a family tree back to 16th century witch trials," said genealogist Anastasia Tyler from Ancestry.com.

"Combine that with a celebrity connection to Emma Watson and the fact that she plays a witch in Harry Potter - You couldn't script it any better."

Watson's relative was alleged to be Essex-born Joan Playle, an unmarried woman who was excommunicated from the Church of England in 1592.

The research also found that Watson's co-star Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter) was descended from bakers, grocers and plumbers, while Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley) is related to a gunsmith.

Watson's latest movie Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince was released earlier this month.