HBO Greenlights 'Crazy Rich Asians' Series with Original Film Cast

HBO has greenlit an eight-episode "Crazy Rich Asians" television series, with Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Ronny Chieng, and Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh returning from the 2018 film. That movie grossed $239 million worldwide. Adele Lim, who co-wrote the original, will showrun and executive produce the hour-long drama.

The series adapts Kevin Kwan's bestselling trilogy beyond the events of the first film and is HBO's first greenlight since Skydance completed its acquisition. It comes as a co-production between HBO and Warner Bros. Television.

"It's a CRAZY RICH family reunion! This series is the sequel we've been waiting for, but instead of one movie, we get eight episodes to delve into the characters and worlds of Kevin Kwan's brilliant books," Lim said in a statement. "Our writers room is humming and we can't wait to share what we've come up with."

Who's behind the camera?

The series reunites the original creative team. Jon M. Chu, a Critics Choice Award winner, returns through his Electric Somewhere banner. Lim runs the show via 100 Tigers. Author Kevin Kwan also executive produces, alongside Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson — Emmy winners who developed the film through their Color Force shingle. SK Global Entertainment, which co-financed the movie, is represented by Chloe Dan and Jeannine Tang.

What are the principals saying?

Chu framed the return as personal. "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," he said. "Bringing everyone back together feels like coming home." He added: "bok bok bitch, we're back."

Kwan echoed the sentiment. "Our incredible fans around the world have been patiently waiting for this, and it will be worth the wait," he said. "Getting to see my stories and characters come to life with the breathing room of an HBO series is a dream come true."

Why a series and not a sequel film?

The 2018 movie told of an American who travels to Singapore to meet her boyfriend's family, only to find him among the country's wealthiest. Its $239 million gross and the existence of Kwan's trilogy kept sequel talk alive for years, but no follow-up film materialized. Henry Golding confirmed last year that a series, not a movie, was in development.

"Constance, Henry, Ronny, and Michelle are global superstars," said Casey Bloys, Co-Chair and Chief Content Officer of Skydance Direct-To-Consumer. "We know the passionate fans of the film and megahit novels can't wait to see more."

Channing Dungey, Chairman of Warner Bros. Television Group and US Networks, called the property "one of the most beloved stories in popular culture." She added: "Kevin Kwan created an irresistible world filled with the perfect blend of glitz, humor, and heart."

What the cast brings back is the chemistry of a film that launched four international careers. With the writers room humming and Skydance's first HBO greenlight pointed at this franchise, the question of whether an eight-episode drama can stand in for a sequel film will be answered when the first season airs.