When Crazy Rich Asians first came onto our screens in 2018, it did more than just stun audiences with couture fashion, lush Singaporean landscapes, and opulent mansions. At its heart was the love story of Rachel Chu, the NYU economics professor and Nick Young, who just so happened to be heir to one of Asia’s wealthiest families. Years later, their story is about to continue. Yes, Crazy Rich Asians sequel is happening! Here’s all you need to know about Crazy Rich Asians 2.
But there’s a huge twist. The follow-up isn’t coming as a movie. Instead, it’s heading to the small screen as a television series. The big reveal came during a screening of Another Simple Favor, where Henry Golding (who plays the charming Nick Young) confirmed the news that Crazy Rich Asians 2 is officially in development.
All you need to know about Crazy Rich Asians sequel
Director Jon M. Chu has also confirmed that the sequel will happen in an episodic format. This is an unexpected twist, but one that promises more time to revel in the lavish world that made the first film a cultural phenomenon.
Earlier, Golding shared a few behind-the-scenes details in an interview with E! News. “Adele Lim is helming. She’s our showrunner. She was one of the writers in the first one with Peter Chiarelli,” he said. “But she came over to London maybe four weeks ago to see me and Gemma [Chan] to talk about our characters. So things are happening.”
What is the plot of the Crazy Rich Asians sequel?
The Crazy Rich Asians sequel series is expected to have a fresh story, pulling inspiration from Kevin Kwan’s beloved novels China Rich Girlfriend and Rich People Problems. According to Cosmopolitan, the next chapter will follow Rachel as she journeys to China to reconnect with her biological father—a storyline that promises to add emotional depth and a whole new set of stunning locales.
Who will star in the Crazy Rich Asians sequel?
Familiar faces will be returning. Constance Wu is set to reprise her role as the brilliant and grounded Rachel, while Golding returns as the effortlessly suave Nick. And yes, Michelle Yeoh will be back as the formidable Eleanor Young, because what would a Crazy Rich Asians sequel be without her icy stares and love for tradition?
The original film captivated audiences with more than just high-stakes romance—it brought representation to the forefront, spotlighted Asian excellence in all its forms, and delivered it with a touch of fairy-tale magic. Now, with a series format, there’s room to explore even more—more drama, more heart, and certainly more extravagance.
Production is scheduled to kick off later this year. So if you’ve been waiting for another glittering deep dive into the world of the Young family, it’s almost time to book your (fictional) ticket back to Asia. One thing’s for sure: love may be complicated, but in the world of Crazy Rich Asians, it’s always spectacular.
What caused the delay in the sequel?
Back in 2019, a major shake-up hit the project when screenwriter Adele Lim walked away over a reported pay gap between her and co-writer Peter Chiarelli. Chu addressed the situation publicly, saying, “Because I am close with Adele, when I discovered she was unhappy with the initial offer, the producers, myself, and the studio executives leapt into action to ensure we got to a place of parity. Unfortunately, by the time we came up with several different ways to satisfy everyone’s needs, a lot of time had passed and she declined the offer.”
Delays also came down to packed schedules. Chu went on to direct In the Heights and Wicked, while Michelle Yeoh’s star soared and she won the Oscar for Everything Everywhere All at Once. As author Kevin Kwan put it in a 2024 GMA interview, “It blew up the careers of Jon Chu and all the actors… But I think now everyone’s ready to get back and make Crazy Rich Asians 2.”
There’s also been a commitment to quality. In a 2024 episode of Deadline’s Crew Call, Chu made it clear he wasn’t going to rush the project. “I won’t bring everyone back unless it’s worth it. There’s too much on the line for everybody.” He added, “I want the best thing. I want it to be worthy of what Crazy Rich Asians 1 was.”
Now, with the team reassembled and a series format in the works, it looks like the wait might finally be worth it.