As the world of entertainment continues to spin with new adaptations and evolving storylines, two beloved franchises—Harry Potter and Bridgerton—have found themselves at the center of renewed attention in early 2026. With HBO’s much-anticipated Harry Potter reboot on the horizon and Netflix’s Bridgerton season 4 now streaming, actors and showrunners alike are reflecting on the challenges and joys of bringing iconic characters to life, while also addressing the impact of fame and the importance of staying true to original narratives.
Katie Leung, who first captured hearts as Cho Chang in 2005’s Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, has recently found herself in the spotlight once again. Now 38, Leung is making waves in a very different costume drama: she stars as Lady Araminta Gun in the latest season of Bridgerton. During a press junket to promote the show, Leung was asked by PEOPLE what advice she’d offer to the actress set to take on Cho Chang in HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter series, slated to premiere in 2027.
Leung’s response was both thoughtful and deeply personal. “Oh goodness. I think it is hard to say,” she admitted, recalling her own experience entering the Wizarding World as a teenager. “Because when you’re that age, you’re kind of trying to figure things out and who you are.” She was only 16 when she first donned the Hogwarts robes, and just 23 when the final film, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, was released in 2011. Looking back, Leung confessed, “As a teenager, I certainly didn’t know who I was.”
She noted that things might be different for young actors today, given their greater familiarity with social media and the pressures that come with it. Still, her core advice is universal: “Generally, for anybody really, whoever stage in their life, [my advice is] just to be themselves, because that’s what makes them unique.” She added, “And to not let the kind of noise of other people get to you, because what you have already is a gift, and you should really just try and hold onto that.”
Leung’s words carry extra weight considering the challenges she faced after being cast as Cho Chang. According to PEOPLE and The Guardian, she was subjected to online harassment—an experience that left a lasting mark. “Being in the spotlight from that age, when you’re already insecure, was difficult, to say the least,” she told The Guardian. “At that age, you’re curious. I remember being very curious about what people were saying about me, and I was Googling myself. Nobody could have stopped me, because I was old enough to make up my own mind.”
The negativity, she said, “just sat with me, and it affected me in ways like, ‘Oh yeah, I made that decision because people were saying this about me.’ It probably made me less outgoing. I was very self-aware of what was coming out of my mouth.” It’s a candid reflection on the double-edged sword of fame, especially for young actors thrust into globally popular franchises. Leung’s experience serves as both a warning and a source of encouragement for those who will follow in her footsteps.
Fortunately, her recent experiences have been more positive. Leung described the response to Bridgerton as “amazing,” telling PEOPLE she’s “definitely” open to reprising her role as Lady Araminta Gun in future seasons. “I don’t know what she would do, though, if I came back. She’s had her comeuppance and everything,” Leung mused. “Maybe it’d be something like a new romance for Araminta, because I think that’s what she needs. She needs a bit of love in her life— or a third husband. Or a grandchild!”
While Leung ponders the future of her own character, the Bridgerton universe is also buzzing with speculation about other beloved figures. On February 27, 2026, showrunner Jess Brownell addressed a long-standing fan debate: Who will Eloise Bridgerton marry in the Netflix series? Since the show’s debut, viewers have wondered whether the series would remain faithful to Julia Quinn’s books, where Eloise weds Sir Phillip Crane, or if it would chart a new course—potentially exploring the queer-coded elements that fans have picked up on in Claudia Jessie’s portrayal.
In an interview with Swooon, Brownell set the record straight: “I think we are interested in honouring the love interest from Eloise’s book. I can dispel, she’s not ending up with Theo. She’s ending up with the love interest from her book.” For those who haven’t read the novels, that means Eloise will marry Sir Phillip Crane, who was briefly introduced in seasons 1 and 2 of the show, played by Chris Fulton. At present, Sir Phillip is married to Marina Thompson and has two children, but the groundwork for a future romance with Eloise has clearly been laid.
Brownell’s confirmation puts to rest fan theories about a possible romance between Eloise and Theo, the print shop worker, as well as speculation about a queer storyline for the character. “Eloise will also not explore a queer romance either despite the theories that the character is queer-coded,” PopBuzz reported, echoing Brownell’s stance. As for who will play Sir Phillip in the next season, Brownell remained coy, saying, “What exactly [Eloise’s season] looks like I don’t want to speak too much on because I want to keep it focused on Luke and Yerin for now before we talk about future seasons too much.”
Production for Bridgerton season 5 is expected to begin soon after February 27, 2026. Brownell assured fans, “We do start production fairly soon on Season 5, and we historically have announced the start of production and revealed who the leads will be. So it won’t be too long, but yeah, I do want to make sure that Luke and Yerin get their moment.”
For both Harry Potter and Bridgerton, the enduring appeal seems to lie in the delicate balance between honoring the source material and allowing characters—and the actors who play them—to evolve and grow. Leung’s journey from the halls of Hogwarts to the ballrooms of Regency London is a testament to resilience and reinvention, while Brownell’s commitment to the original love stories of Bridgerton offers fans a sense of continuity amid all the twists and turns.
As audiences await the next chapter of the Wizarding World in 2027 and prepare for more romantic intrigue in Bridgerton season 5, one thing remains clear: the magic of storytelling, whether in a castle or a stately manor, relies as much on staying true to oneself as it does on staying true to the script.