Katie Leung, who portrayed Cho Chang in the Harry Potter films, reflected on the advice she would give the actress set to take on the role in the franchise's upcoming HBO series adaptation.
In an interview with PEOPLE, Katie admitted that offering advice can be challenging, especially since the role will be played by an actress in her teenage years. "Because when you're that age, you're kind of trying to figure things out and who you are. As a teenager, I certainly didn't know who I was," she recounted.
The actress pointed out that today’s younger generation may have a different experience though because of social media. "Maybe it's different now [because] the younger generation, they're more clued-up with the world of social media and stuff like that," she said.
Still, Katie emphasized that authenticity remains the most important advice she can offer.
"Generally, for anybody really, whatever stage in their life, [my advice is] just to be themselves, because that's what makes them unique," she remarked. "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."
Cho Chang was first introduced in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (the third book and third movie) as Ravenclaw’s Quidditch Seeker. She later became a more prominent character in Goblet of Fire (fourth film) as Cedric Diggory’s girlfriend and went on to date Harry Potter in Order of the Phoenix.
Katie is currently starring in the fourth season of Bridgerton as Lady Araminta Gun, Countess of Penwood.
Daniel Radcliffe shares he wrote a letter to new 'Harry Potter' star Dominic McLaughlin
Filming for the Harry Potter series started in 2025 and it is set to premiere in 2027 on HBO Max.
"This new Max Original series will dive deep into each of the iconic books that fans have continued to enjoy for all of these years," Casey Bloys, Chairman and CEO of HBO & HBO Max Content, previously stated. The executive also guaranteed fans that the series will be "a faithful adaptation" of the books.