Katie Leung Reflects on Harry Potter Casting and Racial Backlash

Katie Leung, remembered by many as the first on-screen love interest of the boy wizard, has spoken candidly about the difficulties she encountered after joining the world-famous wizarding franchise as a teenager. In a recent interview, she described the barrage of racist taunts and online hostility that followed her casting, a period she now recalls with a mix of disbelief and resignation.

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… I remember being very curious about what people were saying about me, and I was Googling myself. Nobody could have stopped me, because I was old enough to make up my own mind.

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. And for the longest time, I may have tried to make up for it and overcompensate.

Sudden fame, she explained, left her feeling exposed and ill-equipped to handle the scrutiny. Curiosity led her to search for her own name online, only to discover a torrent of vitriol that chipped away at her self-assurance. With little in the way of guidance or support, she found herself increasingly withdrawn, second-guessing her every word and action.

Controversy Over Cho Chang’s Name

Yet the abuse wasn’t limited to personal attacks. The name of her character, Cho Chang, has long been a point of contention among fans and critics alike. Many have argued that the name is at best clumsy, at worst, a lazy stereotype, lacking any real connection to a specific Asian heritage. The discomfort is compounded by the fact that the name echoes phrases historically used to ridicule Asian languages, making it a source of embarrassment for some viewers.

For Leung, this added another unwelcome dimension to an already fraught experience. She was thrust into the limelight at a young age, contending not only with the pressures of fame and the sting of racism, but also with the burden of representing a character whose very name was seen as a misstep in cultural sensitivity. The sense that diversity had been handled carelessly by the franchise’s creator was, for her, impossible to ignore.

Harry Potter Franchise at a Glance

To put things in perspective, the wizarding series comprises seven books and eight main films, with a cast led by Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson, among others. The films, produced by Warner Bros. Pictures, have collectively grossed over $9 billion at the box office, making them one of the most lucrative franchises in cinema history.

Despite the commercial success, the series has not been immune to criticism regarding its approach to representation and inclusivity, with Leung’s experience serving as a particularly stark example.

Finding Belonging on Bridgerton

In more recent years, Leung has found herself in a very different environment. Joining the cast of a much-talked-about period drama, she took on the role of Lady Araminta Gun, a mother intent on securing advantageous marriages for her daughters. This time, she says, the atmosphere was worlds apart from her earlier experiences.

Upon joining the production, Leung felt immediately welcomed and supported. She described the set as a place where diversity was not just visible but genuinely valued, both in front of and behind the camera. The sense of safety and acceptance allowed her to focus on her craft without the anxieties that had once plagued her.

It feels quite familiar, in a sense. Also, I’m older, and at a place in my life where I’m not too fazed going into something seemingly so huge.

Their inclusion and diversity behind and in front of the camera is just… You can see it and feel it, and that made me feel really safe to be able to kind of play as an actor.

For Leung, the contrast between her early years in the industry and her current experience could not be more pronounced. Where once she felt isolated and scrutinised, she now finds herself part of a community that celebrates difference and fosters a sense of belonging.