Katie Leung is a Scottish actress of Hong Kong descent, born on August 8, 1987, in Dundee, Scotland.
She gained international fame for her role as Cho Chang, Harry Potter’s first love interest, in the Harry Potter film series, starting with Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire in 2005.
Raised in various Scottish towns including Ayr, Hamilton, and Motherwell due to her father’s business ventures, Leung grew up in a multicultural household.
Leung’s fluency in Cantonese, basic Mandarin, and distinctive Scottish accent have shaped her identity and career, making her a versatile performer across film, television, and theater.
Beyond her acting, she has pursued studies in photography and theater at institutions like the Edinburgh College of Art and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, reflecting her deep interest in the arts.
Siblings
Katie grew up with three siblings, an older brother, Jonathan Leung, and two younger half-siblings, Darren Leung and Nichole Leung, from her father’s side.
Jonathan, her full brother, has been noted for his involvement in business ventures, including co-owning Oaka Supercity, an Asian marketplace in Glasgow, alongside Leung’s partner, Eric Caira.
Career
Leung’s acting career began serendipitously when her father spotted an advertisement for an open casting call for Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
With no prior acting experience, she auditioned and beat over 3,000 applicants to secure the role of Cho Chang, appearing in five films of the franchise from 2005 to 2011.
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Her performance, particularly the on-screen kiss with Daniel Radcliffe in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, garnered significant media attention, though she also faced racist harassment from a subset of fans, an experience she later discussed publicly.
After Harry Potter, Leung diversified her portfolio, starring in television miniseries like One Child (2014), where she played Mei, a Chinese adoptee, and Strangers (2018), as well as voicing Caitlyn Kiramman in Netflix’s animated series Arcane (2021–present).
Her theater work includes a critically acclaimed stage debut as Jung Chang in Wild Swans (2012) at the Young Vic Theatre, followed by roles in plays like The World of Extreme Happiness (2013) and Snow in Midsummer (2017).
In 2025, Leung joined the cast of Netflix’s Bridgerton as Lady Araminta Gao, a cunning aristocrat, marking another high-profile role in her career.
She has also appeared in films like The Foreigner (2017) alongside Jackie Chan and Pierce Brosnan, showcasing her ability to navigate diverse genres.
Accolades
In 2006, Leung won the Top 4 Outstanding Newcomer Award at the Asian Excellence Awards for her breakout role in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
In 2007, she was named Scotland’s Most Stylish Female and the Hottest Scotswoman by Scotland on Sunday, reflecting her cultural impact beyond acting.
That same year, she was ranked No. 80 on Cosmogirl’s Hot 100 List, highlighting her rising popularity.
In 2014, Leung was selected as one of BAFTA’s Breakthrough Brits, a prestigious recognition for emerging British talent, celebrating her transition from Harry Potter to critically acclaimed roles in television and theater.
Additionally, her contributions to the arts were acknowledged with the Young Scot Award and Scottish Style Awards, underscoring her influence as a Scottish actress of Hong Kong heritage.
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