It's kind of strange seeing pictures of yourself in papers kissing Harry Potter. You can't really avoid it, though. My friends are always asking me a… - Katie Leung

The challenge is being able to rid these stereotypes, so I’m not playing the submissive female who’s a victim, but somebody who is determined and fearless. [So] they can see a Chinese girl on the screen who has her own mind and is able to make decisions for herself and she’s independent.

I need to be more vocal because it's my duty - not for myself but for everyone else out there, for any other east Asian who does want to make it in the arts. If they're not represented on our screens or stages then how are they supposed to look up to anyone, or be inspired and feel like they can do what they want to do? It's important for east Asians to know they don't have to be a lawyer or a doctor and they should just do whatever they want to do.

I always find making the initial transition from film back to theatre slightly overwhelming because of the physical freedom being on a stage allows after having been confined to the edges of a lens for a period of time. But you learn to embrace and to own the space pretty quickly once rehearsals are underway.