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More than half a decade since the groundbreaking release of Crazy Rich Asians, the fans finally have something to hold on to. The much-awaited television series adaptation of the franchise hit appears to be gaining traction. Henry Golding, the original actor who played Nick Young in the 2018 film, recently confirmed that yes, there is certainly some actual movement in the works in the background.
Though news is scarce, recent remarks again fueled interest and speculation as to the destiny of the franchise. According to Deadline, Golding responded,
"Something’s being made. I think we’re actually going to do a series. That’s what they’re trying to give us. Aiming for like first quarter, even, next year.”
Even that short statement has created international interest.
For a project that has spent years dormant and in stasis, this is the most optimistic sign yet that something is actually underway. It is not clear what the next project will be, a spinoff or continuation in direct form, or an all-new story, but Golding's statement is a strong indication the franchise is out of sleep.
The Years in the making of the Crazy Rich Asians series: From series to screen
The concept of bringing the Crazy Rich Asians franchise to the television screen has been in production for a short time after the blockbuster hit of the first movie. Centering around Henry Golding and Constance Wu, the 2018 film was directed by Jon M. Chu and produced from Kevin Kwan's 2013 bestseller of the same name. The 2018 film was the first major-studio film with an all-Asian cast in 25 years.
The film was successful in terms of box office and was a landmark that saw Hollywood making its transition towards greater representation gradually. Shortly after the success of the release, news emerged that Warner Bros. was also shopping other material from the Crazy Rich Asians franchise. These were not only sequel films from the second and third books of Kwan's trilogy (China Rich Girlfriend and Rich People Problems), but also a TV spin-off in the works.
The series would supposedly focus on the character Astrid Leong, played by Gemma Chan, and her love relationship with Charlie Wu, played pro tempore by Harry Shum Jr.
What is really being made?
Though Golding's statement is ambiguous as to whether production of the series is ongoing, it does at least guarantee that part of the Crazy Rich Asians franchise is being produced. Whether or not that is the Astrid-centric spin-off, a China Rich Girlfriend direct-to-series adaptation, or something else entirely set in the same universe, that remains to be seen. Warner Bros. Television and all of the other creative teams involved with the original project have remained mum on this point.
This ambiguity raises more questions than answers. Is the new series a continuation of the originally conceived spin-off? Does it include any of the original cast members beyond Golding? And is it an independent project or just the start of some grand serialized franchise? To date, Golding's enigmatic but promising announcement is the sole concrete news from a major franchise player.
Challenges and delays in early development in the Crazy Rich Asians series
There were a few reasons why this project was slow to come together. Screenwriter Adele Lim exited the sequel project following the film's release on account of pay differences, leaving script development incomplete. While Peter Chiarelli was already a writer who was attached to the project, the loss was considered with waves in the project schedule. Meanwhile, calendars to book for an international cast—the majority of whom had meantime performed starring roles elsewhere—were virtually made complicated.
Moreover, the entertainment industry has seen an enormous structural shift over recent years. The COVID-19 pandemic led to worldwide production shutdowns, and a growing need for serialized programming in the streaming market may have spurred strategic redirection from film sequels to episodic programming. Such realignment may have led to the postponement and restructuring of how the Crazy Rich Asians novel would be built into a series.
Will the original cast return in the Crazy Rich Asians series?
No indication has yet been made whether or not any of the other original cast members of this series are joining the cast in the new series. While Golding is still heavily invested in the franchise, whether or not this undertaking he discusses brings his character, Nick Young, along or simply if he is merely discussing the activity within the franchise remains to be determined. Equally good, Jon M. Chu, who previously committed to directing the sequel films, has not been publicized in regards to the television show.
Gemma Chan, Awkwafina, Constance Wu, and Michelle Yeoh—all now bigger than life after Crazy Rich Asians—each carry commitments, and so a whole cast reunion is pretty much out the window. If Astrid and Charlie's spin-off is the sequel production, then Chan and Harry Shum Jr. would take center stage, although nothing has been discussed.
No platform, no timeline—yet
No indication has been given, however, as to where the series will be broadcast. Warner Bros. Television would not say if the show is currently in production for linear broadcast, cable, or streaming outlet like Max (formerly HBO Max), which would be the natural assumption since it's owned by WarnerMedia. Keeping hope suspended, there has been no mention of the director, writers, episode count, or wide release window.
Industry experts observe that the shoot schedule isn't just going to be highly budget-dependent, casting, and story specifics either. With the scale and scope of the original film, primarily based on expensive sets and a cast of actors, it is still in question whether the TV series would be eyeing similar production budgets.
Fan reaction and cultural significance of the Crazy Rich Asians series
Though skimpy on detail, Golding's blessing has sparked a heated online debate. The fan base has been so eager for anything, and even this small blessing has revived hope. Apart from entertainment, Crazy Rich Asians also holds more cultural importance. Its comeback, in whichever format, will likely draw not just attention from fans but also media, cultural critics, and diversity activists following Asian representation in Hollywood.
Its success opened the door for a string of other Asian productions on television and in the movies. Its legacy still plays a part, so any direct or otherwise tenuously related sequel remains a source of interest for the industry overall.
After weeks of silence, Henry Golding’s five words — “something’s definitely being made” — offer a rare and exhilarating glimpse into the future of the Crazy Rich Asians franchise. While details remain scarce, his confirmation marks a meaningful shift from speculation to something more tangible. With no official word yet from the studio or creative team, fans are left to wait as the puzzle slowly pieces itself together.
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One thing, however, is clear: the Crazy Rich Asians universe is far from over. Whether through sequels, spin-offs, or entirely new storylines, a return to this world of extravagant wealth, cultural tension, and romantic drama feels more like a matter of when, not if. Until the next official announcement drops — hopefully more than just a tantalizing sound bite — the anticipation continues to grow.
Also read: Crazy Rich Asians 2: Everything we know so far about the rom-com sequel
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