‘Crazy Rich Asians’ Author Developing Scripted Series With STX (Exclusive)

As the long-awaited movie adaptation of Crazy Rich Asians enters production in Singapore and Malaysia, author Kevin Kwan is preparing to bring a new story to the small screen.

STXtv, the television division of STX Entertainment, has acquired the rights to an untitled scripted drama from Kwan and co-creator David Sangalli.

The series will be separate from Crazy Rich Asians, and plot details are under wraps, but the premise will involve the same type of globe-trotting, multinational, glamorous ensemble that made Kwan’s trilogy, which concludes with the May 23 publication of Rich People Problems, an international best-seller.

“With the final book coming out, loyal readers have already been asking, ‘What’s next?'” Kwan said in a statement. “There’s no better home than STXtv for my next act. We can’t wait to take my fans and a whole new audience into an extraordinary world they’ve never seen before.”

STX is a fitting partner for the project, which will follow characters across the United States, Europe and China. The 3-year-old studio’s backers include China’s Hony Capital and Tencent Holdings, as well as Hong Kong-based telecom giant PCCW. STX also has a co-production and co-financing deal with Chinese studio Huayi Brothers Media.

“This project is the perfect embodiment of the type of talent-driven, premium content series with a unique East-West appeal that STXtv was created to develop,” according to STX. “Kevin and David are crazy gifted storytellers, and we’re proud to bring their newest creation to life on new platforms around the world.”

STXtv previously produced the NBC Katherine Heigl drama State of Affairs and currently is developing about a dozen other scripted series in addition to Kwan’s. ICM Partners brokered the deal on Kwan’s behalf, and Kwan and Sangalli are represented by attorney Peter Nichols at Lichter Grossman.

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