Katie Leung, known for playing Cho Chang in the Harry Potter films, has shared that she would not want to return to that time in her career. In recent interviews, she discussed feeling young and easily influenced during the shoots, contrasting it with more positive experiences on later projects like Bridgerton. Leung also addressed the racism she faced online after her casting.
Katie Leung debuted on screen as Cho Chang in the 2005 film "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire," marking her first acting role. She reprised the character in four subsequent movies: "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix," "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince," "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1," and "Part 2."
In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Leung explained her reluctance to revisit that period. "I was so young at the time, and I was so easily influenced by what people would say about me because I didn’t know who I was," she said. She emphasized personal growth since then, noting, "So I’ve come into ‘Bridgerton’ having a really healthy focus on the work. I’m so glad I’m here. I would not want to go back to that time. Not because I had a bad time or anything, but it’s just really nice when you know who you are, and I’m still figuring that out, but I’m a bit closer."
Leung recently portrayed Lady Araminta Gun on the Netflix series "Bridgerton." Reflecting on her Harry Potter experience in a February Variety interview, she recalled, "My first job — ‘Harry Potter’ — I had never acted before in my life, and suddenly I was in front of 20 cameras and 100 people, completely lost, still figuring out who I was. I can’t say I had the time of my life." In contrast, she felt more confident on "Arcane" and "Bridgerton," stating, "I never questioned it. And once you stop questioning it, you can actually focus on bringing your best work."
Leung also opened up about online racism and backlash following her casting, as shared in an interview with The Guardian. "I don’t know if anything could have been done back then to make things better or easier," she said. "At that age, you’re curious. I remember being very curious about what people were saying about me, and I was Googling myself." The experience affected her behavior: "It probably made me less outgoing... I was very self-aware of what was coming out of my mouth. And for the longest time, I may have tried to make up for it and overcompensate."
Looking ahead to HBO's upcoming Harry Potter TV adaptation, Leung offered advice to the actor playing Cho Chang: "For anybody really, [whatever] stage in their life, [my advice is] just to be themselves, because that’s what makes them unique. And to not let the kind of noise of other people get to you, because what you have already is a gift, and you should really just try and hold onto that."