🚨 HARRY POTTER REBOOT BOMBSHELL: Why This BRIDGERTON Star REFUSED to Reach Out to Her Own Replacement – Unlike Daniel Radcliffe’s Heartwarming Gesture! 😱✉️

Daniel Radcliffe personally wrote a sweet letter to the new kid playing Harry… Rupert Grint jumped in with support… But ONE former Hogwarts icon? She’s drawing a HARD LINE and won’t make the first move to her potential successor.

The reason? A painful past of RACIST BACKLASH that still stings years later. Is the HBO reboot about to reopen old wounds? Will she ever pass the torch?

The SHOCKING Truth Behind Her Silence – and Why Fans Are Divided – is RIGHT BELOW! 👇 Don’t Scroll – Click NOW Before This Drama Explodes! 🔥🪄

The upcoming HBO Harry Potter series continues to generate headlines, not just for its ambitious retelling of J.K. Rowling’s books but for how the original film cast is responding to the new generation stepping into iconic roles. While Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint have extended warm welcomes to the young actors cast as the new Golden Trio, one former co-star has taken a markedly different stance: Katie Leung, the Scottish actress who portrayed Cho Chang in the original films, has said she will not proactively reach out to whoever is eventually cast as her character in the reboot.

Leung, best known today for her recurring role as Lady T in Netflix’s Bridgerton Season 3 and appearances in shows like The Peripheral and All Creatures Great and Small, addressed the topic in a recent interview with The Wrap. Speaking ahead of any official casting announcement for Cho Chang in the HBO series, she explained her position plainly: she won’t be the one to initiate contact. “I won’t be reaching out first,” Leung stated, contrasting her approach with that of her former on-screen classmates.

This comes at a time when the Harry Potter franchise is undergoing a major revival. HBO’s series, greenlit as a decade-long adaptation faithful to the books, has already cast its new Harry (11-year-old Dominic McLaughlin), Ron (Alastair Stout), and Hermione (Arabella Stanton). Production is ramping up for a planned 2026 premiere of Season 1, covering Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. The project has drawn excitement but also scrutiny amid ongoing debates about Rowling’s views on gender issues and the franchise’s legacy.

Radcliffe, who originated Harry Potter across eight blockbuster films from 2001 to 2011, has been vocal in his support for the new cast. In a November 2025 appearance on Good Morning America, he revealed he personally wrote a letter to young McLaughlin. “I wrote to Dominic and sent him a letter, and he sent me a very sweet note back,” Radcliffe said. “I just wanted to write to him to say, ‘I hope you have the best time, and an even better time than I did.’” He emphasized he didn’t expect the new actors to reach out first, instead taking the initiative himself out of genuine goodwill. Rupert Grint, who played Ron Weasley, has similarly offered encouragement publicly and privately, praising the fresh faces taking on the roles that defined his early career.

Leung’s reluctance stands in stark contrast. In her interview, she reflected on the intense racist backlash she endured after being cast as Cho Chang in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005). As one of the few actors of East Asian descent in the predominantly white ensemble, Leung faced online harassment, derogatory comments about her appearance, and criticism that her casting didn’t fit fans’ imagined version of the character from the books. The experience, she has said in past interviews, left lasting scars. “It was really hard,” Leung recalled in earlier discussions about her time in the franchise. The vitriol contributed to her stepping back from the spotlight for years after the series concluded.

Now, with the reboot on the horizon, Leung appears wary of reopening those wounds. By not reaching out proactively, she avoids potential complications or renewed attention tied to her past experiences. Sources close to the production note that no actress has yet been announced for Cho Chang in the HBO series, leaving the door open but Leung uninterested in forcing an introduction.

The differing responses highlight broader dynamics in franchise reboots. Veteran actors often serve as mentors or symbolic torch-passers, as seen with Radcliffe’s letter or even in other series like Star Wars, where original cast members have connected with newcomers. Yet personal histories can complicate that generosity. Leung’s decision underscores how past trauma—particularly racism in fandom spaces—can influence an actor’s willingness to engage.

Fan reactions have been mixed. On platforms like X and Reddit, some praised Radcliffe and Grint for their class and kindness, calling it “the right way to handle a legacy role.” Others defended Leung, arguing she owes nothing after the abuse she faced. “She protected herself then, and she’s protecting herself now,” one commenter wrote on a popular Harry Potter subreddit. Critics of the reboot pointed to Leung’s stance as evidence of lingering issues with the franchise’s handling of diversity.

Leung’s career has flourished post-Harry Potter. Beyond Bridgerton, where she plays the poised and enigmatic Lady T in the Regency-era drama, she has taken on diverse roles in sci-fi, period pieces, and independent films. Her work has earned acclaim for subtlety and range, moving far beyond the “love interest” label that once defined her in the wizarding world.

Meanwhile, the HBO series marches forward. Showrunners have promised a book-faithful adaptation with room for fresh interpretations, and casting continues for supporting roles. Radcliffe has stressed he has no involvement beyond well-wishes, telling outlets he’s happy to see the “torch passed” without needing a physical cameo.

For Leung, the choice is personal. In declining to reach out first, she draws a boundary shaped by experience—one that differs from her co-stars but remains understandable in context. As the reboot takes shape, it serves as a reminder that behind the magic of franchises lie real human stories, some joyful, some painful.

Whether the new Cho Chang ever hears from Leung remains to be seen. For now, the actress is content focusing on her current projects, leaving the past—and any potential outreach—firmly in the rearview.