‘Nobody Could Have Stopped Me.’ Harry Potter’s Katie Leung Opens Up About ‘Overwhelming’ Fame With Harry Potter (And How Bridgerton Is Different)

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The young actors in the Harry Potter films quickly became incredibly famous. Many, like Katie Leung (who played Cho Chang), were just children or teenagers when the movies launched them into the spotlight. Now, Leung is joining Season 4 of Bridgerton, and she’s recently spoken about how challenging that sudden fame was during her early career.

Katie Leung Gets Candid About Dealing With Fame During And After Harry Potter

Katie Leung first appeared on screen in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, playing Cho Chang, a student from Ravenclaw and a love interest for Harry. Though her role wasn’t massive, she became a recurring character in the Harry Potter films, appearing in every movie from the fourth one onward. In an interview with The Guardian, Leung discussed the “sudden and intense fame” that came with the films, admitting she struggled to cope with it, explaining:

It was immediately a lot to handle. Being so young and already self-conscious, the attention was tough. Honestly, I was having a good time back then. I saw it as a break from school, which I didn’t like at all. It felt like an escape. I’m still trying to understand the full impact it had on me.

It’s understandable she’s still processing everything. Being involved with something as massive as Harry Potter must be incredibly overwhelming. The series remains hugely popular – people are still watching the movies on streaming services like HBO Max and reading the books. With a new TV show on the way, the level of public attention is intense, and dealing with that kind of scrutiny and criticism can be really difficult.

Leung explained that being a young, inquisitive person with internet access could be a dangerous mix when she was growing up. She continued, saying:

Looking back, I’m not sure if there was anything anyone could have done to improve the situation. When you’re that age, you naturally want to know what others think. I remember being really interested in what people were saying about me, and I used to search for myself online. But honestly, no one could have stopped me – I was old enough to decide things for myself.

She explained she struggled with hateful and racist comments, admitting she hadn’t found a way to cope with them. This had made her more withdrawn, and she sometimes tried to overcompensate by being extra outgoing.

Reflecting on everything that happened, she openly shared how it changed the way she thought about her career, saying:

I felt amazing after that project, convinced nothing could ever compare. But then I worried about what to do next. I was afraid people would expect too much from me and I wouldn’t be able to deliver, so I think that fear stopped me from pursuing acting further. I didn’t even try to build on that success.

Despite feeling like she’d stepped back from acting, her work history on IMDb tells a different story. She’s been steadily working since 2017, appearing in shows and films like The Peripheral, Chemistry of Death, Wheel of Time, and Arcane. Now, she’s adding Bridgerton to her impressive list of credits.

How Bridgerton Is Different

Netflix is starting 2026 strong with the premiere of Bridgerton Season 4 on January 29th. This season will focus on Benedict’s journey to find love, introducing characters like Sophie, his potential partner, and Sophie’s stepmother, Lady Araminta Gun, who is played by Katie Leung. Leung recently discussed joining the popular series, saying:

I feel truly grateful and surprisingly comfortable with all of this. I’m also at a point in my life where I’m not intimidated by taking on big challenges.

Katie Leung is navigating this situation with remarkable poise. Having been part of a large franchise like Harry Potter before, she’s more mature now and seems determined to stay focused on her work and not let external negativity affect her success.

I’m really excited to see her return in Bridgerton! The new season starts January 29th, so be sure you have a Netflix subscription!

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2026-01-08 04:39