HBO has given a series order to "Crazy Rich Asians," a continuation of the 2018 film built on Kevin Kwan's books. Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Ronny Chieng and Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh are set to play their original roles, according to Variety, IndieWire and The Hollywood Reporter.
The show is a one-hour drama. Adele Lim, who co-wrote the film, will serve as showrunner and executive producer. IndieWire reported that the story picks up right after the events of the movie, and Lim has described the run as eight episodes.
Who is returning, and in what capacity
Variety reported that Wu, Golding and Chieng have signed on as series regulars, with Yeoh in a recurring capacity. IndieWire's account differs, listing all four stars as series regulars. The sources do not reconcile the two descriptions.
Jon M. Chu, who directed the film, is coming back as an executive producer through his Electric Somewhere company, alongside Lim through 100 Tigers and Kwan. Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson of Color Force, which developed and produced the film, are also on board. The list continues with Chloe Dan and Jeannine Tang of SK Global Entertainment, which co-financed the film, plus Naia Cucukov Richards and Rose Lam. HBO and Warner Bros. Television are co-producing.
The Hollywood Reporter said filming is set to begin in 2027. Lim, in a statement, said the writers room is already underway: "Our writers room is humming and we can't wait to share what we've come up with."
Why a series, not a sequel
The film grossed more than $239 million worldwide against a reported $30 million budget, according to Variety, which also noted a 91% critical approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The Hollywood Reporter described it as one of the highest-grossing rom-coms of the decade. Kwan's novels run to three books: "Crazy Rich Asians" in 2013, "China Rich Girlfriend" in 2015 and "Rich People Problems" in 2017.
A feature sequel was long discussed but never moved ahead. The Hollywood Reporter said a follow-up based on "China Rich Girlfriend" fell apart after Lim left over a pay parity dispute with Warner Bros., and scheduling problems, including Chu's commitment to direct the Wicked movies, also contributed. A series was reported to be in development in early 2025, and IndieWire noted that Golding hinted last year that a show, rather than a film, was coming and that he planned to return.
Lim framed the format as a benefit, saying the show offers eight episodes to explore the characters and worlds of Kwan's books rather than a single movie. Kwan said the "breathing room" of an HBO series was a dream come true.
A first pickup in a new corporate era
Both The Hollywood Reporter and IndieWire framed the order as HBO's first major move since becoming part of Skydance. The Hollywood Reporter said it arrived two days after the merger of Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery became official, and that Casey Bloys, who led HBO and HBO Max before the deal, now also oversees Paramount+. The two services together have about 200 million global subscribers, the outlet reported.
Bloys called the four returning actors global superstars and said fans of the film and the novels are eager for more. Chu, for his part, said he has been asked about a sequel nearly every day for eight years, and that the series finally answers it. Jacobson and Simpson said the series picks up where the movie left off.
For fans, the order ends a long wait for a follow-up, with the original cast and creative team largely intact. No premiere date has been announced in the sources.
Reporting sources: Variety, “‘Crazy Rich Asians’ HBO Series Sets Cast: Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Michelle Yeoh, Ronny Chieng Returning” · IndieWire, “‘Crazy Rich Asians’ Series Ordered at HBO with Film’s Original Cast Returning” · The Hollywood Reporter, “‘Crazy Rich Asians’ Series Greenlit at HBO With Film’s Stars, Creative Team Returning”.