Harry Potter alum Emma Watson and author J.K. Rowling are just two of the names that made it to The Independent's eighth annual Happy List, which seeks to celebrate people who do extraordinary things for causes they care about.

Watson was lauded not because of her work on film but more on her involvement with the United Nations campaign for gender equality called HeForShe.

"The 25-year-old Harry Potter actress became a star of the humanitarian stage after launching HeForShe, a UN campaign to include all men in the fight for gender equality. Her first of many impassioned speeches extended a 'formal invitation' to men to participate in the conversation, The Independent wrote. "She has gone on to campaign for women's rights."

In reference to the character she played on the Harry Potter movies — Hermione Granger — The Independent noted that after learning all about Watson's accomplishments, people will have nothing to say but "Hermione who?"

On the other hand, the brains behind Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling best exemplified what it means to go from rags to riches. Although she has amassed millions since she first wrote the seven Harry Potter books, she is not being recognised for her fame or wealth, The Independent said.

"The wizard of words is a staunch defender of equal rights, using Twitter to challenge everyone from misogynists to the homophobic Westboro Baptist Church. As well as donating huge sums to combat social deprivation in Scotland, she founded charity Lumos, which works to end the institutionalisation of children worldwide," the publication said.

Other people who made it to the list include boy band member Oritsé Williams, who was praised for caring for his mother, who has multiple sclerosis, and younger siblings; chef Nicole Pisani for preparing daily nutritious lunches for 500 children at an inner London state primary school; Olympian Jo Pavey for taking a stand against the "unethical" use of a hormone replacement drug called thyroxine; political activist and food blogger Jack Monroe for raising awareness on Britain's growing poverty issues; footballer Danny Ings for starting The Danny Ings Disability Sport Project, which aims to deliver football coaching to disabled youngsters and those with learning difficulties; comedian Ricky Gervais for working with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals to ban foie gras and the use of animal fur and skin; actor Peter Capaldi for recording a personalised video for a nine-year-old autistic fan who wrote to tell him that he was struggling with his grandmother's death; and finally naturalist David Attenborough for highlighting the negative effects of climate change.