Katie Leung on Harry Potter, Sudden Fame, Insecurity – and Starring in Bridgerton
For Katie Leung, the role of a mother in Netflix's Regency drama Bridgerton was a long time coming. "Absolutely not" would have been her response to auditioning for a motherly figure instead of the beautiful young romantic lead. The actress, who played Cho Chang in the Harry Potter films, feels seen and valued for this part.
In the series, Leung portrays Araminta Gun, the steely aristocrat trying to marry off her daughters to suitable partners while keeping her stepdaughter, Sophie, in her place. Leung says she was reassured by showrunners that they wanted to find humanity in Araminta and understand her background, struggles, and motivations.
Araminta, as portrayed by Leung, is a complex character with flaws like any human being. Leung agrees that the character can be seen as evil towards Sophie but believes it's necessary for Araminta's drive – her love and protection for her daughters.
For Leung, joining a show like Bridgerton has been a life-changing experience. She feels "really blessed" to have had this opportunity and appreciates how it has allowed her to connect with the characters on a deeper level.
The actress believes that having seen firsthand the extreme fame that came with playing Harry Potter, she is now more grounded in her career. Leung learned early on that acting was not about talent alone but also dedication, hard work, and being open to learning and growing as an artist.
Leung's own experiences with fame were marked by intense online hatred, particularly racism and hurtful personal comments. She struggled to cope at first but eventually developed a healthy distance from the noise surrounding her job.
The actress attributes her newfound sense of security in her career to drama school and her ability to play complex characters that reflect different cultures and backgrounds. Leung believes that more progress needs to be made, particularly with regards to diverse casting, but is heartened by the impact Bridgerton has had on period dramas.
In the end, Katie Leung feels a sense of fulfillment in her acting career. She knows who she is as an artist and values authenticity over the need for validation from others.
For Katie Leung, the role of a mother in Netflix's Regency drama Bridgerton was a long time coming. "Absolutely not" would have been her response to auditioning for a motherly figure instead of the beautiful young romantic lead. The actress, who played Cho Chang in the Harry Potter films, feels seen and valued for this part.
In the series, Leung portrays Araminta Gun, the steely aristocrat trying to marry off her daughters to suitable partners while keeping her stepdaughter, Sophie, in her place. Leung says she was reassured by showrunners that they wanted to find humanity in Araminta and understand her background, struggles, and motivations.
Araminta, as portrayed by Leung, is a complex character with flaws like any human being. Leung agrees that the character can be seen as evil towards Sophie but believes it's necessary for Araminta's drive – her love and protection for her daughters.
For Leung, joining a show like Bridgerton has been a life-changing experience. She feels "really blessed" to have had this opportunity and appreciates how it has allowed her to connect with the characters on a deeper level.
The actress believes that having seen firsthand the extreme fame that came with playing Harry Potter, she is now more grounded in her career. Leung learned early on that acting was not about talent alone but also dedication, hard work, and being open to learning and growing as an artist.
Leung's own experiences with fame were marked by intense online hatred, particularly racism and hurtful personal comments. She struggled to cope at first but eventually developed a healthy distance from the noise surrounding her job.
The actress attributes her newfound sense of security in her career to drama school and her ability to play complex characters that reflect different cultures and backgrounds. Leung believes that more progress needs to be made, particularly with regards to diverse casting, but is heartened by the impact Bridgerton has had on period dramas.
In the end, Katie Leung feels a sense of fulfillment in her acting career. She knows who she is as an artist and values authenticity over the need for validation from others.
I can totally relate to Katie Leung's experience with fame and feeling seen and valued for her craft. It's like, you're not just a pretty face or a talented actress, but someone with depth and complexity that deserves respect 
. Her journey from Harry Potter to Bridgerton is so inspiring - it's amazing how far she's come 
. And I love that she's now more grounded in her career, having learned the importance of hard work and dedication 
. It's also so refreshing to see an actress owning her authenticity and values 
. We all need a little more kindness and understanding in this industry, especially when it comes to diverse casting 
. Let's keep supporting our favorite artists and celebrating their unique talents 
I'm so glad to see Katie Leung killing it in Bridgerton! I mean, playing a complex character like Araminta Gun is not easy, but she totally nails it 
. I love how she talks about her journey with fame and how it's made her more grounded 
. As someone who's been online for years, I can relate to the drama (pun intended 
) that comes with being in the public eye. It's awesome to see her speak out about diversity in casting too - let's get more people on screen who look like us! 
I think it's so cool that Katie Leung got to play this complex character in Bridgerton 
. It sounds like it's been a game-changer for her career 
. I'm glad she learned to deal with the online hate after playing Harry Potter 
, because that would've been super tough to handle. And yeah, more diverse casting in period dramas would be awesome 
. Overall, it's great to see Katie Leung feeling confident and fulfilled as an actress 
. I love that she's now more selective in the roles she takes on and values authenticity over validation 
. It's also heartening to see her advocating for diverse casting and progress in period dramas 
.