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HBO has commissioned the drama series as a follow-up that picks up after the events of the hit movie, which drew from Kevin Kwan’s bestselling novels, according to an announcement from the network and Warner Bros. Television. Adele Lim, who co-wrote the 2018 film’s screenplay, will serve as showrunner and executive producer through her 100 Tigers banner. The producing team also includes Kwan, film director Jon M. Chu via Electric Somewhere, and Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson through Color Force, the same group that backed the original movie. Production on the series is scheduled to begin in 2027.
In a statement accompanying the announcement, Lim described the project as a long-awaited continuation. “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.” Jacobson and Simpson added that they were pleased to reassemble the cast and crew for a format that extends the narrative beyond the film’s conclusion.
The 2018 film became the highest-grossing Hollywood studio romantic comedy at the North American box office in nearly a decade, a milestone HBO highlighted in its announcement. Rolling Stone reported that the movie made history as the first from a major studio to feature an all-Asian cast in leading roles in a generation. It earned two Golden Globe nominations and topped domestic charts upon release, paving the way for greater representation in mainstream Hollywood productions according to multiple industry assessments. The success fueled ongoing fan demand for further stories from Kwan’s trilogy of books published between 2013 and 2017.
Constance Wu will reprise her role as Rachel Chu, Henry Golding returns as Nick Young and Ronny Chieng is back as Eddie Cheng, all as series regulars, Variety reported after reviewing the casting details. Michelle Yeoh, who won an Oscar in a different project after portraying Eleanor Young in the film, will appear in a recurring capacity. Further casting announcements are expected, though the network has not yet detailed whether additional original ensemble members may guest star in the new drama format. The shift to television allows expanded exploration of the affluent Singaporean family dynamics and cultural themes that defined the source material.
Casey Bloys, co-chair and chief content officer for Skydance Direct-To-Consumer, welcomed the reunion in comments distributed with the announcement. “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,” Bloys said. “We are glad to be in partnership with this talented producing team and cast.” Channing Dungey, chairman of Warner Bros. Television Group, echoed the sentiment by noting the story’s evolution from novel to film and now series. The project marks one of the first major series orders following recent corporate changes at Warner Bros. Discovery.
Kwan’s original books have sold millions of copies worldwide since the first installment debuted, building a dedicated international readership that the series aims to engage, according to figures cited across entertainment trade coverage. The television adaptation maintains the blend of humor, romance and social commentary while adapting deeper elements from the later novels. HBO released a short promotional video featuring clips from the original movie to coincide with the announcement, signaling confidence in the established audience connection.
