Katie Leung (Cho Chang in Harry Potter) wasn't sure acting was for her

How kissing Daniel Radcliffe and R-Patz didn't convince Katie Leung that acting was for her

By Andrea Magrath

Last updated at 9:16 PM on 6th December 2011

She shot to fame playing the girl in the middle of Daniel Radcliffe and Robert Pattinson in the world's biggest film franchise back in 2005.

But getting to be Pattinson's onscreen girlfriend in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and kiss Radcliffe in the following film The Order of the Pheonix weren't enough to convince Katie Leung she was in the right business.

The 24-year-old has revealed that she almost gave up acting altogether after completing work as Cho Chang on the final Potter film this year.

Acting bug: Harry Potter star Katie Leung is making her stage debut in February after almost leaving the profession after the final Potter film

'Harry Potter was an amazing experience but I didn't know whether I was chosen on my acting ability or because I fitted the character at the time,' Miss Leung told today's Evening Standard.

But she has been tempted back to the profession, after rediscovering her love of acting during an intensive course this summer, and will be making her stage debut in February.

In another adaptation, the Scottish actress will take on the role of author Jung Chang in Wild Swans at London's Young Vic.

Love interest: The 24-year-old shot to fame as the object of Daniel Radcliffe's desire and was Harry's first kiss in Order of the Pheonix in 2007

Lucky girl: She also played Robert Pattinson's (as Cedric Diggory) girlfriend long before Kristen Stewart in 2005's Goblet of Fire

The book, the best-selling non-fiction work in British history, tells the history of China in the 20th century through the eyes of three generations of women in Chang's family.

Katie says: 'It is a great honour to be involved in such an extraordinary project and especially to be playing the role based on Jung Chang. I look forward to performing this truly inspirational story on stage.'

'This production means a lot to me,' says Jung Chang. 'To see Wild Swans on stage - transferred into another art form - will be fantastic.

'It feels great to know that my book is in such good hands.'

Rising star: Miss Leung, pictured with her Harry Potter co-stars in 2005, wasn't sure of her acting ability before taking a crash course this summer

It is the first stage adaptation for the 1991 work, which has sold more than 13 million copies in 36 languages, and has come about through collaboration between the Young Vic, the American Repertory Theater and the Actors Touring Company.

The play, which will run at the London theatre for a month from April 13, features a cast of British and American performers and is directed by Sacha Wares.

Its world premiere will take place at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on February 11.

Wild Swans – Cast Announced!

Posted on December 6, 2011 by ancachung

Harry Potter star Katie Leung will play the character based on Jung Chang in the first ever stage version of her astonishing true story Wild Swans.


Katie rose to fame as Harry Potter’s girlfriend Cho Chang in the much-loved film series.
Katie commented ‘It is a great honour to be involved in such an extraordinary project and especially to be playing the role based on Jung Chang. I look forward to performing this truly inspirational story on stage.’
Katie joins a cast of British and American actors that includes Oliver Biles, Eric Chan, Annie Chang, Ka-Ling Cheung, Victor Chi, Celeste Den, Joanne Fong, Jon Kit Lee, Orion Lee, Jennifer Lim, Les Mau, Ron Nakahara, Zenghui Qiu and Julyana Soelistyo.
Jung Chang commented ‘This production means a lot to me. To see Wild Swans on stage – transferred into another art form – will be fantastic. It feels great to know that my book is in such good hands.’
Read the announcement news in the Evening Standard piece Why I nearly kissed goodbye to acting, by Harry Potter girl Katie Leung >>
Click here to learn more about the production and to get yourself tickets from £10. Wild Swans is part of World Stages London.

Bronze goddess Emma Watson walks the red carpet for the final time with Harry Potter co-stars Daniel and Rupert

By Andrea Magrath

Last updated at 8:19 AM on 12th July 2011


Emma Watson looked like a bronzed goddess as she walked the red carpet for the final time for Harry Potter today.

The actress dazzled in a stunning strapless creation by Bottega Veneta at the premiere of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 in New York.

Emma, Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint were joined by other stars of the film including Tom Felton and Alan Rickman, and celebrity guests Sarah Jessica Parker, Matthew Broderick and Seth Green at the event.

Statuesque: Emma Watson walks the red carpet at the premiere of Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 2 in a strapless bronze Bottega Veneta creation

The last time: Emma posed with her co-stars Rupert Grint and Daniel Radcliffe on the red carpet at the final Harry Potter premiere in New York today

Of her dramatic gown, Emma said: 'New York is such a fashion capital, I felt I could push the envelope a bit. With London I went a bit more classic (in her fairytale Oscar de la Renta dress) but for today I wanted to do something edgier.'

The 21-year-old wore her gamine crop slicked and looked very grown up in elaborate gold leaf eye make-up.

Her striking appearance is a far cry from the little girl who turned up to the New York premiere of the first film, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in 2001.

Fashion forward: Of her dramatic gown, Emma said, 'New York is such a fashion capital, I felt I could push the envelope a bit. With London I went a bit more classic but for today I wanted to do something edgier'

Excited: Daniel Radcliffe, who has starred for a decade as the boy wizard, said he was 'sweating like pig in labour' with all the excitement, while Rupert Grint said he would miss people screaming his name

Dramatic: Emma wore heavy gold leaf eye make-up and slicked her gamine crop

Shown a picture of herself from that night by E! Emma cringed at her garish green outfit, but quipped, 'Look I had fun with it! I was wearing gold make-up that night too, so I'm sensing a theme.'

Emma managed to hold back the tears for this red carpet after giving in to her emotions at the London premiere last week.

She told reporters: 'A part of me is very sad and emotional. It's been a tricky juggling act to do my job and be professional but it's very emotional.'

 

Asked by reporters what she plans to do tomorrow, with her Harry Potter duties complete once and for all, Emma said: 'I think I'll go have a really big brunch, and sleep, and try to take it all in.'

While Emma looked serene and end every inch the Hollywood starlet, he co-star Daniel Radcliffe admitted his excitement was getting the better of him.

'I'm sweating like a pig in labour,' he joked as he walked the red carpet, the last to arrive, in an all-black ensemble.

The star of the film franchise was pictured sharing private jokes with Emma and Rupert Grint as they posed together for the final time.

'We have a sibling relationship,' he told reporters. 'No one knows what it's been like to go through this mad journey but us.'

Farewell: The 21-year-old actress said it was 'tricky juggling act to do my job and be professional but it's very emotional'

Suave: Tom Felton (left), who plays Draco Malfoy, Matthew Lewis (centre), who plays Neville Longbottom, and Alan Rickman, who plays Professor Snape were dapper in their suits

Daniel, who turns 22 next week, was also shown a picture of himself as 12-year-old at his very first Harry Potter premiere. He laughed, 'I'm basically the same aren't I, I look the same, with just a slightly deeper voice.'

Speaking to Time Out this week, he joked that his diminutive frame isn't the typical Hollywood action hero build.

'It’s very rare in your career that you get to play an action hero. I’m not the natural frame and stature of an action hero, so I may not get to play one again.

All grown up: The cast of the film franchise posed together inside the Lincoln Center

'I'll miss people screaming my name': Rupert Grint was the first to arrive and spent over an hour signing autographs and taking pictures with fans

Fan favourite: Emma said she planned to sleep and eat 'a very big brunch' tomorrow, when her Harry Potter duties are wrapped up forever

He added: 'Things like bursting out of the water in film six, surrounded by a ring of fire…I won’t get to do that again. I miss that stuff.'

Speaking about his last outing as the boy wizard, Daniel said: 'I said to someone the other day, "It’s like the emotional range of Shakespeare with the action and blood of Tarantino." The body count in this film is massive.'

On the red carpet today, he added: 'The film is so much better than anything we've ever done, people will go nuts for it.'

End of an era: Daniel Radcliffe said of his co-stars Emma (right) and Rupert, 'No one knows what it's been like to go through this mad journey but us'

Family affair: Sarah Jessica Parker and her husband Matthew Broderick brought along their son James Wilkie

Star couples: Tom Felton and girlfriend Jade Olivia were joined by Seth Green and Claire Grant on the carpet

Radcliffe discussed his starring role in Broadway show How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, which his co-stars went to watch him in this week.

'Whenever you know they're in the audience you feel very proud, they're people I've worked with for 12 years so it means so much,' Daniel said.

Rupert Grint, who cheered Daniel on at the show this week, said: 'I was so proud (watching him), he looks so happy, completely in his element.'

Star of the show: Daniel Radcliffe is guided along the red carpet amidst screaming fans and photographers

Die-hard: Some bespectacled fans wait to see the cast

Femme Fatale: Melissa Joan Hart and Ariana Grande brought extra glamour to the carpet

Support: Actresses America Ferrera and Sarah Hyland were accompanied by their partners

Rupert, the first of the film's stars to arrive, spent over an hour signing autographs and posing for pictures with fans on the red carpet.

Visibly overwhelmed as he spoke to reporters, he said: 'It's great to see everyone and the enthusiasm they have, it's very moving.

'It's crazy. It's very special to experience this, I'll miss it. I like these (premieres), being screamed at.'

Fairytale: Emma said she had chosen a more classic dress for the London premiere, and cringed when shown a picture of herself at the very first Harry Potter premiere in New York in 2001

All that glitters: Emma Watson looks slick as she arrives at the Late Show with David Letterman in New York today ahead of the premiere of Harry Potter

Earlier today Emma arrived at the Late Show with David Letterman today looking gorgeous as ever in a glittering mini dress.

With her gamine crop slicked back, the 21-year-old posed for photographers wearing the unusual one-sleeved Prada dress.

The fashion-forward outfit was only let down by her black patent and cork wedges. The style, a favourite of Kate Middleton, has been popular of late thanks to the Duchess, but looked a little too conservative for her sequinned silver frock.

Thanks for the memories: Fan Deanna Nolasco waits for a glimpse of the stars at the New York premiere of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2

Turn out: The streets near the Lincoln Center are lined with eager fans

We're in Gryffindor: Girls dressed in the costume have been waiting for six days to see their idols

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2013659/Emma-Watson-walks-red-carpet-final-time-Harry-Potter-stars-Daniel-Rupert.html#ixzz1Ru6CVS1h

Emma Watson wipes away her tears and changes into a short frock to sparkle at Harry Potter afterparty

What a magic little number! Emma Watson wipes away her tears and changes into a short frock to sparkle at Harry Potter afterparty

• Newly teetotal Daniel Radcliffe was a no show at the afterparty

By Daily Mail Reporter

Last updated at 9:39 AM on 8th July 2011


She started her night in a floor-length tiered Oscar De La Renta gown but Emma Watson ended it with a bang in a shorter Elie Saab frock at the Harry Potter premiere afterparty.

It was a night of celebration and emotion as Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 afterparty kicked off at Old Billingsgate Market in London, but despite shedding a few tears at the premiere, Emma Watson held her head high as the night continued.

The actress, who plays Hermione Granger, appeared to have a glittering theme for the night and despite changing outfits from the premiere to the afterparty, she sparkled like a diamond in both silver dresses.

The magic little number: Emma Watson sparkled in the short Elie Saab frock at the Harry Potter premiere afterparty at Old Billingsgate Market in London

Quick change: She started her night in a floor-length tiered Oscar De La Renta gown (right) but Emma Watson ended it with a bang in Elie Saab (left)

The 21-year-old accessorised her Elie number with Chopard earrings and peep-toe heels, to add that little extra bit of magic to her ensemble.

She then changed into a third and final outfit for the night, consisting of a little black dress, to head back to her hotel.

Also letting their hair down at the afterparty were her fellow co-stars Rupert Grint, Tom Felton and engaged couple Bonnie Wright and Jamie Campbell Bower.

But Harry Potter's star Daniel Radcliffe was a no show at the event, which saw Chloe Green and Sam Branson turn up for a celebratory drink.

Perhaps his lack of party spirit was due to the fact that the actor has given up alcohol, after recently admitting that the pressures on fame had made him dependant on drinking.

Round three! Emma Watson then changed into a third and final outfit at the end of the night, which consisted of a little black dress, trench coat and ballet flats

Looking sharp: Rupert Grint, who plays Ron Weasley in the franchise, looked dapper in his suit, while Emma Roberts made a special appearance in black and tan

Home time: Emma Roberts was seen leaving the party with Glee actor Chord Overstreet, who plays Sam Evans on the hit series

Emma Roberts also sneaked in for a special appearance and looked gorgeous in a black and tan knee-length dress.

Jonathan Ross and his wife Jane Goldman also joined the actors in their evening of celebrations and the Harry Potter fans arrived at the afterparty with smiles on their faces.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 premiered at Trafalgar Square yesterday marked the end of an era as the cast and crew celebrated the last film in the franchise.

Emma, Rupert and Daniel Radcliffe, who grew up on the sets were hit with emotion as they paid tribute to the final film.

Miss Watson welled up as she and her co-stars thanked fans and each other for an amazing experience.

Here come the girls: Helena Bonham Carter (left), Pixie Geldof (centre) and Eliza Doolittle (right) all arrived in a selection of colourful gowns

Couples' night out: Tom Felton spent the night arm in arm with his girlfriend Jade (left), while Made In Chelsea star Ollie Locke arrived with Chloe Green (right)

Loved-up: Engaged couple Bonnie Wright and Jamie Campbell Bower were all smiles (left), while Jonathan Rossand his wife Jane Goldman also joined the actors in the celebrations (right)

When Emma couldn’t contain her tears any longer, the film’s producer David Heyman offered her his shoulder to cry on.

Speaking with his co-stars, Harry Potter star Daniel said: ‘I don’t think the end of the story happens tonight because each and every person who will see this film will carry this story with them through the rest of their lives.

‘A huge thank-you to all of you, first of all for giving me a job and Jo for letting him give me a job.

‘Every opportunity I get from now on all goes down to the fact I got very, very lucky when I was eleven.’

Ladies' night: Evanna Lynch (left), who plays Luna Lovegood in the Harry Potter series sparkled alongside Emma (centre) and Chloe Green (right) at the party

Cheers! Isabella Anstruther-Gough-Calthorpe, Prince William's ex girlfriend, arrived with Sam Branson, while Matthew Lewis, who plays Neville Longbottom in Potter arrived with his girfriend

Emma interjected by saying: ‘You didn’t get lucky – you were and are the perfect Harry and will be forever.’

While author J.K. Rowling told Daniel and fans that it’s not the end, seeing as the series will always live on in their hearts.

And Grint, who plays Ron Weasley, took the opportunity to thank the author for what she had done ‘for ginger people’ in front of the screaming crowds.

Emma said: ‘It’s overwhelming to try to find the words to say what I want to say, but I have been so privileged to play this role and be a part of these films.

‘I’ve had the most amazing 10 years of my life. Thank you so much.’

Emotional ending: Emma Watson cried at the premiere earlier in the evening alongside producer David Heyman (right) and author J.K. Rowling (left)

Premiere: Rupert Grint speaks at the premiere in front of Emma Watson, Daniel Radcliffe, J.K. Rowling and their producer

Fan frenzy: Masses of Harry Potter fans gathered at Trafalgar Square yesterday afternoon for the final premiere of the franchise

Centre stage: Emma Watson, Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint stand on the red carpet staircase in central London at the premiere

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2012481/Emma-Watson-wipes-away-tears-changes-shorter-frock-sparkle-Harry-Potter-afterparty.html#ixzz1RVNIwvya