‘Crazy Rich Asians’ Gets Series Order At HBO

HBO has given a green light to one-hour original drama series Crazy Rich Asians, a follow-up to the blockbuster film that became the highest-grossing Hollywood studio romantic comedy at the North American box office in nearly a decade. Best on Kevin Kwan’s bestling books, the series, which has been in development at HBO for about two years, hails from the film’s co-writer, Adele Lim, director Jon M. Chu, Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson.

The film’s lead cast, including Constance Wu, Henry Golding and Emmy winner Ronny Chieng will star in the series, along with Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh recurring.

“We are so excited that Adele and the team behind the history-making film are bringing the next chapter of this story to life,” said Casey Bloys, Co-Chair and Chief Content Officer, Skydance Direct-To-Consumer. “Constance, Henry, Ronny, and Michelle are global superstars, and we know the passionate fans of the film and megahit novels can’t wait to see more. We’re glad to be in partnership with this talented producing team and cast.”

The Crazy Rich Asians television series is executive produced by Lim via her production company 100 Tigers; Chu via his production company Electric Somewhere; Kwan, Jacobson and Simpson via their production company Color Force, which developed and produced the film; Chloe Dan and Jeannine Tang for SK Global Entertainment, which co-financed the film; Emmy winner Naia Cucukov Richards via Lim’s 100 Tigers; and Emmy nominee Rose Lam. The series is co-produced by HBO and Warner Bros. Television.

“From a bestselling novel to a blockbuster film and now television, Crazy Rich Asians has solidified its place as one of the most beloved stories in popular culture,” added Channing Dungey, Chairman, Warner Bros. Television Group and US Networks. Kevin Kwan created an irresistible world filled with the perfect blend of glitz, humor, and heart, and the talented Adele Lim returns to adapt this renowned tale for a new television audience. We are equally thrilled to welcome Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Ronny Chieng, and Michelle Yeoh back to reprise their iconic roles. We can’t wait to bring this series to life with our partners at HBO.

Added Lim: “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. 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.”

Crazy Rich Asians (book and film) follows Chinese-American Rachel (Wu) and her fiancé Nick’s (Golding) love story as they travel to visit his family and friends in his native Singapore. There are surprises in store for Rachel to discover before she walks down the aisle—including the fact that Nick’s family is extremely rich.

“I am thrilled that the Crazy Rich Asians family is getting back together thanks to HBO and Warner Bros. Television,: said Kwan. “Our incredible fans around the world have been patiently waiting for this, and it will be worth the wait! Getting to see my stories and characters come to life with the breathing room of an HBO series is a dream come true, and I am so excited to experience the magic that Adele, Jon, Nina, Brad, our amazing writers and iconic cast will create.”

Chu added: “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 bitch, we’re back.”

“We couldn’t be happier to bring this extraordinary gang back together for a series that picks up where the movie left off,” said Jacobson and Simpson. “As producers, the most common question we get is ‘When do we get more Crazy Rich Asians?’ and we are so glad to finally have the answer.”