A family reunion is taking shape at HBO. Eight years after its theatrical release, Crazy Rich Asians is hitting the small screen with four familiar faces: Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Ronny Chieng, and Michelle Yeoh, who will reprise their respective roles.
The former two play the central couple, Rachel Chu and Nick Young, while Chieng returns as Nick’s cousin, Eddie. All three are listed as series regulars, while the Oscar-winning Yeoh is appearing in a recurring capacity as Eleanor Sung-Young, Nick’s tiger mum. Adele Lim, who co-wrote the 2018 rom-com hit of the same name, serves as showrunner and executive producer, alongside original director Jon M. Chu, Kevin Kwan, the author of the books on which the film and series are based, Nina Jacobson, and Brad Simpson.
“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,” wrote Lim. “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.”
The show was first reported to be in the works in 2025 and will serve as a sequel. Production is expected to begin in 2027, with Chu, who directed In the Heights and two Wicked films in the years since, reflecting on how the trajectory of the cast’s careers has changed prior to and after the film’s release:
“Eight years ago, Crazy Rich Asians changed my life, and I got to make it with the most creative and hilarious group of people I’ve ever known. Since then, this cast has become movie stars, superheroes, arena-filling performers and even an Oscar winner, so bringing everyone back together feels like coming home.”
“It’s been incredible watching audiences make this movie part of their lives, from mahjong nights to becoming the ultimate airplane movie, and I can’t wait to share what comes next. Finally, I get to answer the question I’ve been asked almost every day for eight years: ‘When are we getting the sequel?’ Well… bok bok b***h, we’re back,” added the filmmaker. =
The original movie follows Rachel, a Chinese American professor, who travels to Singapore with Nick and is shocked to discover that Nick’s family is one of the richest families in the country. It became a cultural phenomenon upon its release, grossing over US$239 million worldwide against a reported budget of US$30 million, and was praised for its predominantly Asian cast and representation in Hollywood. Other cast members include Awkwafina, Gemma Chan, Lisa Lu, and Ken Jeong, though there’s no word on whether they will return to the series, which currently has no premiere date.
After the film adaptation shot the Kwan’s novel to widespread popularity, the writer released two more instalments featuring the same characters: 2015’s China Rich Girlfriend and 2017’s Rich People Problems. A theatrical film sequel was also reportedly in development, but the project has stalled multiple times over the years.
Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.
Kevin Low
