Crazy Rich Asians isn’t done — HBO sequel officially set with the original cast

Crazy Rich Asians frankly did the unthinkable back in 2018 – a major Hollywood studio put forward an all-Asian lead cast in a modern setting, properly for the first time since The Joy Luck Club in ’93. Not only did it get the big crowd in, pulling in over $239 million worldwide, but it also landed a trio of notable awards-season nods: Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy at the Golden Globes, a Screen Actors Guild ensemble nomination, and a win for Best Comedy at the Critics' Choice Awards. Though honestly, it walked a fine line between broad romcom glitz and a properly heartfelt family drama; there was much more meat to it than just designer handbags and wedding fountains.

Credit where it’s due: the film pulled off that rare trick of feeling posh and universally relatable at the same time, and it did so whilst embracing Chinese culture in a way that actually felt authentic rather than surface gloss. That all started, of course, with Kevin Kwan’s page-turning book trilogy, which has now shifted more than 5 million copies worldwide. Add in a frankly golden cast – Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Gemma Chan, Michelle Yeoh, Awkwafina, Ken Jeong – and you can see why this film became a genuine cultural phenomenon rather than just another summer hit.

Crazy Rich Asians premiered in 2018 and took in more than $239 million at the global box office.

A TV Series Finally Happens

Ever since the film raked it in, there’s been an endless loop of rumours about a TV continuation – and yes, a proper film sequel did bob about in development hell for a good while. Now it turns out that the small screen is where this story is really going next. Variety has the confirmation: HBO is officially pressing ahead with a brand new Crazy Rich Asians drama series, with production scheduled to kick off in 2027. So after all that speculation, it’s finally happening – not as a sequel film, but as an eight-episode TV event.

What’s especially impressive is just how much of the original crew they’ve managed to round up. Four key cast members are coming back as series regulars: Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Michelle Yeoh, and Ronny Chieng. Behind the camera, Adele Lim – who co-wrote the original film – is running the show as both showrunner and executive producer. Here’s how Lim herself summed up the plans:

‘It’s a “Crazy Rich” family reunion! This series is the sequel we’ve been waiting for, but instead of just one movie, we get eight episodes to delve into the characters and worlds of Kevin Kwan’s brilliant books,’ Lim said. ‘Getting to work with the original creative team with the support and vision of HBO and Warner Bros. Television has been a dream. Our writers room is humming and we can’t wait to share what we’ve come up with.’

And she’s not the only one chuffed to bits – author Kevin Kwan is executive producing too, alongside returning director Jon M. Chu (now stepping behind the scenes), plus producers Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson. So what you’re looking at is the film’s creative core returning wholesale, but with the storytelling space of a prestige cable drama. Given the show is set to pick up directly after the 2018 film, this is a proper second chapter rather than a reboot or side story.