In a new interview with the Daily Mail, Harry Potter actress Katie Leung, who played Cho Chang, talks about filming the Potter series, her life and career post-Harry Potter, her schooling and more. Katie will next be appearing in a four-part miniseries, Run, which will be airing on Channel 4 this coming March. She plays Ying, “a Chinese illegal immigrant selling DVDs to try to free herself from the vicious gang-master who brought her to Britain.” A couple snippets from the interview may be read below.

After Harry Potter you could have gone straight on to another film. Yet you chose to do a play and then go back to drama school. Why?
I was kind of lost and wanted to try different things. After Potter, I wasn’t sure if I could be  an actor. I questioned whether they chose me because I fitted the part physically, rather than because of my acting skills.

Were you put off by the mad fans and all the Hollywood hullaballoo?
It was nice to be a part of the premieres and publicity, but it was also a relief to leave it behind. I’m not the type of person who enjoys the limelight. But I’m not ungrateful; I took a lot from the experience. Touring so many countries publicising the films, I was given an opportunity to see the world, encounter different cultures and meet so many amazing, interesting people.

What did Harry Potter give you?
It has definitely helped me decide what I want to do with my life. Before getting the part I had absolutely no idea. From doing Run, I’ve learnt that actors are afraid to tell people what they  do because most of the time they’re out of a job. But at this point in time, I’m proud to say that I am an actor.

What is your nature, would you say?
I’m very quiet. I can go a whole week without talking, so doing interviews is really awkward for me! I enjoy my own company a lot – too much, probably. I read, see films, take photographs – that’s it really. One of the things I liked about my character in Run is that she can just disappear into the background if she wants, which is what I’m like.