'Harry Potter' Star Katie Leung Reflects on How Racist Backlash to Her Casting Impacted Her

Katie Leung is reflecting on how Harry Potter and the racism she faced at the time has affected her.

The 38-year-old actress played Cho Chang in the last five films of the franchise, starting with Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

Speaking with The Guardian, Katie recalls how she was immediately thrust into the spotlight and had a hard time adjusting.

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“It was overwhelming from the get-go. Being in the spotlight from that age, when you’re already insecure, was difficult, to say the least,” she told the outlet.

And while she did have “a lot fun” making the movies and being on set, she believes that the online backlash and racism made her feel highly scrutinized and possibly even “less outgoing.”

“I think it just sat with me, and it affected me in ways like, ‘Oh yeah, I made that decision because people were saying this about me.’ It probably made me less outgoing. I was very self-aware of what was coming out of my mouth,” Katie recalls.

Because Harry Potter was already a global phenomenon by the time she joined, the Arcane voice actress felt like she hadn’t necessarily earned her career, downplaying her real talents.

“It happened by pure chance and for the longest time, I may have tried to make up for it, and overcompensate,” Katie admitted.

However, since the series ended in 2011, she has gone on to have a successful acting career, starring in projects like The Wheel of Time, The Peripheral, Annika, and more.

Next up, she’ll play Lady Araminta Gun in the highly-anticipated new season of Bridgerton. Watch the trailer!