Katie Leung Joins ‘Bridgerton’ Cast as Lady Araminta Gun

Katie Leung, best known for her role as Cho Chang in the *Harry Potter* franchise, has joined the cast of *Bridgerton* Season 4 as Lady Araminta Gun. The announcement of her casting has drawn considerable attention, marking a significant moment in her career. Leung’s addition to the popular Netflix series highlights her ongoing evolution as an actress.

Born in 1987, Leung began her journey in acting at a young age. She auditioned for *Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire* while still in school, a process initiated by her father, a restaurateur, who discovered a casting call. After waiting four hours for a five-minute audition, she was selected from over 3,000 candidates, largely due to her Scottish heritage, which the casting agents were specifically seeking.

Reflecting on her experiences with *Harry Potter*, Leung describes her first audition as a cherished memory. Both her parents, who had divorced, came together to support her during that pivotal moment. She recalls being sent to China by Warner Bros for a promotional tour, an unusual move for Hollywood at the time. Despite the excitement, her casting was not without its challenges. Leung faced backlash from fans regarding her on-screen romance with Daniel Radcliffe’s character. In an interview on the *Chinese Chippy Girl* podcast, she recounted, “I remember reading all the comments. And… it was a lot of racist comments.” The negativity intensified following her kissing scene with Radcliffe in *Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix* (2007).

Despite the difficulties, Leung found strength in her craft. She acknowledged that while *Harry Potter* was a remarkable experience, she often questioned whether her selection was based on talent or simply fitting the character’s profile. Her passion for acting was rekindled when she enrolled in a drama course at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Since then, she has built a diverse career in stage, television, and film.

Leung’s career has seen a resurgence with the rise of streaming platforms. She lent her voice to Caitlyn Kiramman in Netflix’s animated series *Arcane* from 2021 to 2024, further solidifying her presence in the industry.

As she steps into the role of Lady Araminta, Leung expressed her feelings of being recognized for her talent. In an interview with *Harper’s Bazaar*, she stated, “People thought I’d be offended at being asked to play Araminta. And I thought, ‘No—I feel seen, for once!'” Her portrayal of an evil yet humanized stepmother draws inspiration from the performance of acclaimed actress Maggie Cheung in Wong Kar-wai’s film *In The Mood for Love* (2000).

Katie Leung’s journey from a young actress in *Harry Potter* to her current role in *Bridgerton* exemplifies her resilience and growth in the entertainment industry. With her new role, she continues to break new ground, embodying complex characters and challenging stereotypes in a landscape that is increasingly embracing diversity.