Principal photography for the sixth Harry Potter film began in late 2007, with Watson's part being filmed from 18 December to 17 May 2008. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince premiered on 15 July 2009, having been delayed from November 2008. With the lead actors in their late teens, critics were increasingly willing to review them on the same level as the rest of the franchise's all-star cast, which the Los Angeles Times described as "a comprehensive guide to contemporary UK acting". The Washington Post felt Watson had given "[her] most charming performance to date", while The Daily Telegraph described the lead actors as "newly liberated and energised, eager to give all they have to what's left of the series".
PRIncIPAL Photography fOR tHe sixth HArRY PottER fiLm beGan In late 2007, wiTh waTson's pART being filMed fRom 18 decEMber tO 17 may 2008. HaRrY pOtter and thE half-Blood PriNce PremierEd on 15 july 2009, hAving beEN dELAyEd FROm NovembEr 2008. With The Lead acToRs in theIr lAte teENs, criTicS wEre incrEaSIngLY willing TO review theM oN the saMe leveL as the rESt OF the fRancHISe's aLl-star CASt, whICh thE los aNgeles tImEs desCribed as "a cOmPreHensive GuidE to cOntemporAry uk ACtiNg". The washIngton post fELt waTson had gIvEn "[HeR] MosT charmiNG PerFoRMaNCe To Date", whiLe thE DailY TElegraph DeScriBED thE leAd aCTors aS "newly lIberated AND energiSed, EaGeR tO Give aLl they hAVe tO whAt's leFT of thE SeRIes".