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Katie Leung, who played the role of Cho Chang in the Harry Potter film franchise, has spoken candidly about the racist abuse she faced from fans after her casting as a teenager. In a new interview with The Guardian, reported by Variety on January 9, 2026, Leung reflected on how backlash shaped his personality and professional life during and after his time on the show.
At just 16 years old, Katie Leung joined acting starting in the 2007 film Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and reprized the role in the franchise’s later installments. Although the films brought global recognition, she said the sudden exposure also came with scrutiny and online hostility that she wasn’t ready to face.
Looking back, Leung said the experience stayed with him long after the films ended, explaining that “it stuck with me.”
“I think it stuck with me, and it affected me in a way like, ‘Oh yeah, I made that decision because people were saying that about me.’ It probably made me less extroverted.”
What Katie Leung Said About Facing Racism While Acting in Harry Potter
According to Variety’s January 9, 2026 report, Katie Leung told the Guardian that the reaction to being cast as Harry Potter was “overwhelming from the start.” Curious about how the public reacted, she searched her own name online and encountered racist comments from certain sections of the fandom.
Leung explained that while acting initially felt like an escape from school, which she said she didn’t enjoy, the online reaction quickly complicated that sense of relief. She described becoming increasingly self-aware and cautious, particularly in the way she spoke and presented herself in public.
“I was very conscious of what was coming out of my mouth. And for a very long time, I was maybe trying to catch up and overcompensate”
She added that she didn’t know if anything could have realistically been done to protect her from these experiences at the time. As a young actress, she felt obligated to research what people were saying and thought no one could have stopped her.
“At that age, you’re curious. I remember being very curious about what people were saying about me, and I was Googling it myself. No one could have stopped me, because I was old enough to make up my own mind.”
Reflecting years later, Leung said she is still processing how that era unfolded. Harry Potter affected his decisions and his confidence.
Katie Leung says she was told to deny racism in public
As reported by NBC News on March 11, 2021, Katie Leung previously addressed the issue of racist harassment during an appearance on the show Chinese Chippy Girl podcast. She claimed that when journalists brought up the subject during this interview, they told her to deny any racist reactions.
Leung claims that although she saw the remarks, she was asked to deny the attacks. She remembers accepting this advice even though it went against what she had personally experienced. It was unclear at the time whether the publicists worked for the film studio or on its behalf.
Katie Leung also told NBC News that she encountered online forums and websites devoted to criticizing her casting, some of which were openly against her portrayal of Cho Chang. She acknowledged that the abuse was extremely painful, although she expressed gratitude for the chance to be part of Harry Potter.
Katie Leung talks about her acting career
Now in her thirties, Katie Leung says her relationship with acting changed many years after Harry Potter movies. In the same Guardian interview cited by Variety on January 9, 2026, she explained that while she still cares deeply about her profession, she no longer allows it to define her entire perception of herself. Acting, she said, now feels more like a job than the “purpose” it once was.
“I always care about the profession [of acting]I always want to do well, but I can park it once I’m done for the day and go home and live this other life. It feels more like a job to me than a goal, and that’s how I felt as an actor when I was 20 years old. »
Leung is preparing to join another major franchise, appearing as Lady Araminta Gun in the upcoming fourth season of The Bridgerton Chronicles. She noted that she is better equipped to separate her work from her personal life and walk away when the day is over.
His thoughts come amid renewed conversations about racism in fandom, including recent criticism of racist reactions to casting decisions in new Harry Potter projects. Although Leung has not commented directly on these developments, his experiences offer longer context, highlighting how these issues have been affecting actors behind the scenes for years.
Recent controversy surrounding racism in Harry Potter franchise
Jason Isaacs, who played Lucius Malfoy in the first Harry Potter films, publicly denounced racist responses to the casting decisions of the upcoming HBO series, according to a July 6, 2025 Collider article. Isaacs responded to criticism from Especially Essieduwho plays Severus Snape, during a speech at FanExpo Denver.
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Isaacs said that while some online comments are framed as criticism, “what they are saying is racist.” He praised Essiedu’s talent, calling him one of the best actors he has worked with, saying:
“Paapa Essiedu is one of the best actors I have ever seen in my life. I have seen people online being rude to him. What they are doing is racist”
The new Harry Potter the adaptation is in development for HBO and Max, with Francesca Gardiner as showrunner and Mark Mylod as director and executive producer, according to Collider. Each season is expected to adapt a book, offering a more detailed retelling of the story.
Edited by Devangee
