The Crazy Rich Asians family is reuniting, with Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Ronny Chieng and Michelle Yeoh set to reprise their roles in an upcoming HBO sequel series based on Kevin Kwan’s bestselling novels.
The one-hour drama series will continue the story following the events of the 2018 blockbuster film, with Wu and Golding returning as series regulars Rachel Chu and Nick Young, respectively. Chieng will reprise his role as Eddie Cheng, while Yeoh will return as Nick’s formidable mother, Eleanor Young, in a recurring role.
The original film followed Rachel, an American economics professor who travels to Singapore with her boyfriend, Nick, only to discover that he belongs to one of the country’s wealthiest families. Their relationship faces unexpected challenges when Rachel encounters Nick’s disapproving mother and navigates the expectations of his affluent social circle.
The sequel series will be led by Adele Lim, who co-wrote the original film, as showrunner and executive producer. Kwan, director Jon M. Chu and producers Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson will also serve as executive producers.
Lim described the series as the long-awaited continuation of the story, saying the television format would allow the creative team to explore the characters and world of Kwan’s novels across eight episodes.
Chu previously explained that the team had struggled to fit everything it wanted to explore into a second film, making television a more suitable format for developing the story and giving its characters greater attention.
Kwan also welcomed the reunion, expressing excitement about bringing his characters back to the screen with the creative team and the support of HBO and Warner Bros. Television.
Reflecting on the original film, Chu said its cast had experienced significant career growth since its release, with members becoming movie stars, superheroes, performers and, in Yeoh’s case, an Oscar winner.
Released in August 2018, Crazy Rich Asians became a cultural phenomenon, earning acclaim for its predominantly Asian cast and its contribution to representation in Hollywood. The film also became the highest-grossing Hollywood studio romantic comedy at the North American box office in nearly a decade.
