> At a Glance
> – Katie Leung faced racist online harassment after being cast as Cho Chang
> – The abuse began while she was still a teenager in school before filming started
> – The actress says the experience made her less outgoing
> – Why it matters: Her story highlights the dark side of early internet fandom culture
Katie Leung is reflecting on the torrent of racist abuse she endured after being cast as Cho Chang in the Harry Potter films. The 37-year-old Scottish actress, who debuted in 2005’s Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, says the online harassment began before cameras even rolled.
The Leak That Sparked Hate
While still a schoolgirl, Leung learned someone had taken a “secret photo” of her that appeared in newspapers. Within days, hate-filled messages flooded fan sites.
- A dedicated hate site counted clicks from people who disagreed with her casting
- She found “a lot of racist s—” on Harry Potter forums
- The abuse started before she had filmed a single scene
Living With the Fallout
Speaking to The Guardian ahead of Bridgerton season 4 (premiering January 29), Leung admitted she “didn’t” cope with the bullying.
> “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.'”
The actress, who will play Lady Araminta Gun, says the experience left her “very self-aware” and “probably made me less outgoing.”
Key Takeaways
- Leung played Cho Chang in five Harry Potter films
- The racist backlash began when she was still a teenager
- She found the harassment by Googling herself
- The experience shaped her personality and choices
Leung’s story serves as a stark reminder of how early internet toxicity targeted young actors-especially those breaking ground in major franchises.
