Katie Leung Says Racist Abuse After Harry Potter Casting Left Lasting Impact

Starring in the Harry Potter films was not always a magical experience for Katie Leung, who has spoken openly about the racist bullying she faced after being cast as Cho Chang.

Leung, now 38, appeared in five films in the franchise, beginning with Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. In a new interview with The Guardian, she reflected on the online harassment she endured after news of her casting leaked before filming began.

“It was overwhelming from the get-go,” Leung said. She explained that becoming a public figure as a teenager intensified existing insecurities. While she enjoyed the escape that acting provided at the time, she admitted she is still working through how the experience affected her emotionally.

Leung said she regularly searched her name online and read the comments being made about her. “Nobody could have stopped me,” she said, adding that she did not know how to cope with the racist and hateful remarks. Over time, she believes the abuse changed her behavior, making her more cautious, less outgoing, and overly self-aware.

At just 16, Leung never expected to land the role. She revealed that she only attended the open audition because she hoped it might reunite her divorced parents, inspired by The Parent Trap. She assumed she had little chance of being cast.

Despite the challenges, Leung went on to play Cho Chang, the love interest of Harry Potter, portrayed by Daniel Radcliffe, and Cedric Diggory, played by Robert Pattinson.

Leung will next appear in season 4 of Bridgerton, premiering Jan. 29, where she plays Lady Araminta Gun, a cold and calculating aristocrat. She said joining the popular Netflix series feels different now that she is older and more grounded.

She praised Bridgerton’s “color-conscious” casting approach, a term introduced by creator Shonda Rhimes, noting that the inclusive environment made her feel safe as an actor. Leung said seeing better representation on screen today would have made a positive difference for her when she was younger.

Now a mother, Leung says she is better equipped to handle any online criticism that may come with high-profile roles. Acting, she explained, is no longer her entire identity. “I can park it once I’m done for the day and go home and live this other life,” she said. “It’s more like a job now, not the be-all and end-all.”