Harry Shum Jr. is ready to revisit two major parts of his screen career — if schedules and the new productions allow it.
The current Dancing with the Stars contestant has expressed interest in returning to both Crazy Rich Asians and Glee, following new series orders for the two franchises. HBO ordered a Crazy Rich Asians series on October 7, while Disney+ and Hulu ordered a Glee reboot on October 21.
Neither potential return is confirmed. However, Shum made clear that he remains enthusiastic about both projects.
“You know what? I love those two franchises,” he told Entertainment Weekly. Addressing Crazy Rich Asians specifically, he added, “Obviously, the last of [Crazy Rich Asians] ended on the characters that Gemma [Chan] and I play, so I would love to try and find a way to make it work.”
A storyline waiting to continue
Shum played Charlie Wu in the 2018 romantic comedy Crazy Rich Asians, directed by Jon M. Chu. His appearance came during a mid-credits scene that teased a love story between Charlie and Gemma Chan’s Astrid.
That brief scene carried possible significance for the franchise’s future: Charlie was expected to become the main focus of a Crazy Rich Asians sequel. The newly ordered project, however, is an HBO television series, and it remains unclear whether Shum will reprise the role.
His comments nonetheless signal that he would like to explore the thread established between Charlie and Astrid. For now, that interest has not been matched by a confirmed casting announcement.
Could Mike Chang return to Glee?
Shum also has an extensive history with Glee. He played Mike Chang, who was introduced in the fourth episode of the show’s first season.
After recurring during the first two seasons, Shum was promoted to a series regular for Seasons 3 and 4. He continued appearing as Mike during the Fox series’ final two seasons.
The Disney+ and Hulu reboot announcement did not identify any actors who might reprise their roles. Shum acknowledged that his current workload could complicate a return, saying he is “currently really, really busy now.” Even so, he added that he “would love to keep continuing because I love those franchises.”
Other original Glee cast members have been connected to the reboot, though those potential returns are also not yet settled. Deadline reported that Heather Morris and Chord Overstreet were in talks to come back. Lea Michele was also reported to be in talks to reprise her role as Rachel Berry.
The discussions involving Morris, Overstreet and Michele do not establish whether Shum will join them, and the reboot’s initial announcement offered no confirmation about returning performers.
ShowBiz Take
Shum’s possible involvement is notable because both continuations connect directly to unfinished or long-running parts of his earlier roles. Crazy Rich Asians left Charlie and Astrid’s story poised for further development, while Glee featured Mike Chang across all six seasons after his early introduction.
The timing also puts Shum in an unusual position: within two weeks, new series were ordered for two franchises in which he had established roles, even as he competes on Dancing with the Stars.
His interest is clear, but enthusiasm is not the same as a deal. The key questions are whether the Crazy Rich Asians series intends to continue Charlie and Astrid’s teased storyline and whether the Glee reboot will bring back Mike Chang alongside any other original characters.
What Happens Next?
Attention now turns to casting announcements for both projects. Shum has said he would like to find a way to return despite being busy, but neither HBO’s Crazy Rich Asians series nor the Disney+ and Hulu Glee reboot has confirmed his involvement.