Katie Leung named as a BAFTA Breakthrough Brit!

BAFTA announced their Breakthrough Brits list this week, and Potter alumna Katie Leung (Cho Chang) is one of the names on the list! Here’s some more about the BAFTA initiative:

BAFTA Breakthrough Brits, in partnership with Burberry, is a BAFTA initiative now in it’s second year, developed with the ambition of celebrating and supporting the UK’s emerging talent. The 2014 group was carefully selected by a panel of expert jury members who included Richard Ayoade, Barbara Broccoli OBE, [Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire director] Mike Newell and Olivia Colman.

Katie is currently studying acting at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and is due to appear in an upcoming BBC drama called One Child.

Katie said,

I can’t really believe it. As an Asian actor it’s very difficult to get work… I came really close to giving it all up. I don’t come from a family of actors, which makes it difficult to get feedback. But to know that BAFTA is backing me and that my work is being appreciated just means the world.

Watch a video below where Katie talks about being picked for the list, who inspires her, and why she acts:

Also on the list is Charu Desodt, an engineer who was a producer of Wonderbook: Book of Spells for Sony.

Charu said,

You never feel like you’ve reached your potential. I always feel like there’s more to do. I am always inspired by other people and what they’re doing… being named a Breakthrough Brit has made me reassess what I might be able to achieve and how I could help the industry evolve.

See the full list of BAFTA Breakthrough Brits, and find out more here.

Congratulations, Katie and Charu! A wonderful achievement, and we look forward to seeing all your future projects!