Christopher Chung on Overcoming Stereotypes and Rising to Stardom in ‘Slow Horses’

Christopher Chung, known for playing Roddy Ho in the espionage drama *Slow Horses*, reflects on his journey from struggling with stereotypes to landing a dream role. Chung, who arrived in the UK from Australia in 2012, had a rough start as an actor, often being cast in peripheral roles based on Asian stereotypes. He shares his experiences with these challenges and how they affected his early career. Despite this, he pursued acting passionately, taking on various roles including a student in *Waterloo Road* and theatre performances. His breakthrough came with *Slow Horses*, where he plays the hacker Roddy, a character who defies expectations of the typical nerdy, geeky Asian. The role allowed Chung to break free from racial typecasting, showing that an East Asian actor could be portrayed as both smart and physically appealing. Working alongside acting heavyweights like Gary Oldman was a significant challenge for him, but also a chance to prove his talent. Chung has since landed other major roles, including a period drama on Netflix, *My Brilliant Career*. He is determined to continue expanding the representation of East Asian actors in lead roles, while also pushing for more diversity behind the camera. Despite his growing fame, he remains focused on his personal training business and the importance of maintaining a grounded life.