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

Key points

• HBO has given a series order to a new 'Crazy Rich Asians' drama, marking its first major pickup since the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger.
• Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Ronny Chieng, and Michelle Yeoh will reprise their roles from the 2018 film.
• Adele Lim will serve as showrunner and executive producer, alongside director Jon M. Chu and author Kevin Kwan.
• The series is based on Kevin Kwan's novels and will consist of eight one-hour episodes, shifting from the film's romantic comedy format to a drama.
• Filming is scheduled to begin in 2027, following a development period that started in early 2025.

Background

The 2018 film 'Crazy Rich Asians' grossed approximately $240 million worldwide on a $30 million budget, becoming a major box office success. A feature film sequel based on the book 'China Rich Girlfriend' had been in development but stalled due to pay disputes and scheduling conflicts. This new series order follows the recent merger of Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery, which formed Skydance.

How outlets are covering it

Deadline and Variety emphasize the return of the original cast and the 'family reunion' aspect of the project. The Hollywood Reporter highlights the timing of the order, noting it is the first series pickup for HBO since the Skydance merger. IndieWire points out that the project has been in development since early 2025, originally set up at HBO Max before moving to HBO proper. All sources agree on the core details regarding the cast, producers, and the shift to a drama format.

Why it matters

This series represents a significant expansion of a major IP into television, leveraging the success of the original film and the popularity of the source material. It also serves as a key early move for HBO under its new ownership structure, signaling a focus on high-profile, established properties.

What to watch

Production is set to begin in 2027. The series is expected to air on HBO, with no specific premiere date announced yet. The writers' room is currently active, developing the eight-episode season.