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Eve’s soon-to-be vacant bedroom has already found a new occupant. Last Man Standing has cast former Dr. Ken star Krista Marie Yu in the recurring role of Jen, a foreign exchange student, TVLine has learned exclusively.
Jen will first be introduced in Episode 4 of the ABC-turned-Fox sitcom. Vanessa takes the young scholar under her wing and convinces Mike to let her stay with them while she completes her schooling in the States. “Vanessa feels particularly tied to [Jen] because she’s interested in geology,” exec producer Kevin Abbott tells TVLine. “Vanessa’s always wanted to encourage [young women] to go into the sciences.”
Word of a foreign exchange student first broke during Last Man Standing‘s panel at the Television Critics’ Assoc. summer press tour in July. At the time, Abbott teased that the character would come from a “different political system,” paving the way for some “wonderful discussions and conflicts” within the Baxter household.
Yu’s arrival is the latest in a string of Last Man Standing casting shake-ups. As previously reported, Molly McCook (The Ranch) will succeed Molly Ephraim in the role of middle daughter Mandy, while Jet Jurgensmeyer (black-ish) will replace Flynn Morrison as Kristin and Ryan’s son Boyd. Kaitlyn Dever, who plays the aforementioned Eve, will only be back on a recurring basis while her character attends Air Force Academy.
Among the former series regulars confirmed to rejoin Tim Allen in Season 7 are Nancy Travis (Vanessa), Amanda Fuller (Kristin), Jonathan Adams (Chuck), Christoph Sanders (Kyle), Jordan Masterson (Ryan) and Hector Elizondo (Ed).
Yu is best known to TV audiences for her role as Ken Jeong’s teenage daughter Molly on Dr. Ken, which once upon a time followed Last Man Standing as part of ABC’s Friday night comedy block. Additional TV credits include Switched at Birth, The Middle and The Thundermans.
Last Man Standing Season 7 kicks off on Friday, Sept. 28 at 8/7c on Fox. (To view the revival’s key art, click here.)
I don’t really think they need to add this character. There are already too many characters as is. Don’t need to add an odd new thing. They already are causing too much odd with recasting so many times now.
You’re absolutely right.
They need political conflict, so she’s it.
She was great on Dr. Ken–good for her.
I can hear the meeting Fox execs had. “Hey, the Asians are hot right now, let’s get one and that’ll cover our bases on attracting anyone other than white to watch this show”
That’s insulting to the actress to contend that they only reason they are casting an Asian actor is to meet some kind of quota. If you’ve ever watched the show, you would see that both sides of issues are fairly depicted on this show. Mike Baxter, his boss, Ed, and his youngest daughter, Eve, are conservative. His eldest daughter, Kristin, and her husband, Ryan, and liberal. HIs wife, Vanessa, argues on both sides, so it’s a mystery as to her. HIs middle daughter, Mandy, and her husband, Kyle, are basically a-political. Their neighbors/friends are liberal. I like the show because it centers around family, it’s funny, and you hear both sides.
I don’t think DV is too far off. Keep in mind that new money in Tinseltown is coming from China now. A LOT of it. This is their attempt at multiculturalism. Can’t just have a show for the conservatives, after all.
Do you hear other conversations? Or just the imaginary ones in your head? Do you enjoy being a tool? Cause you’re sure sounding like one…
Dont like the new Mandy and Don’t like the foreign exchange student, this is all a sign that the show will not get another season!
No Eve No Mandy ? I get it part time Eve and New Mandy , such a fan of the show so I’m going in with high hopes & positive thoughts.Lets be honest it’s all about the writing so let’s hope all or most of those talented people will be back! Either way I’ll be there opening night ..Break a leg LMS
Huge fan as well, if they were weeding out characters they should have gotten rid of Kristin and Ryan. They were beyond annoying last season. I’ll miss Molly Ephraim.
This sounds very disappointing and so off track!! I think LMS is doomed before returning! And, to replace Mandy with a blonde…are you kidding?!
Molly Ephraim declined to return, thus her part was recast. Blonde hair can become brunette with a single trip to the beauty parlour.
Yes, but petite 5”2, does not go to a salon and come out a gangly 6’5!
Give this new actress a chance.
I agree! My husband and I gag every time she talks! We will stick to the re-runs.
Can not wait, I was so disappointed when LMS was cancelled. Will miss Molly in her role as Mandy. Looking forward to much laughter and fun T.Allen style😂😂🤣🤣
I am excited about this addition. I watched Dr. Kim a few times and this young actress is very funny. I was a little skeptical when I first heard about the foreign exchange student thanking it would just be too different and just accentuate the absence of Eve and the original Mandy, but now I’m feeling better about it. I will miss Molly Ephraim, and Eve played by Kaitlyn Dever is my favorite character so I hope that she will be on more than I’m afraid she will be. That said, I’m very glad that Kaitlyn Dever is so busy, she’s a remarkable young actress.
No word on Mike’s father and making appearances?
It’s been announced that Bud will have passed away. Ryan is taking over the pot store
I think it is great that she is on it. I love her on Dr Ken
I’m sorry, but I just can’t into the new Mandy. It’s an insult to the audience to not only replace her, but to replace her with someone that is so wrong and the complete opposite!!! Maybe in a future episode, they can bring back a girl that looks more like Mandy, and have Kyle wake up saying he had a weird dream, and that He dreamt Mandy had gone blonde and it was all just a dream.
Neither the new Mandy or the Asian chick are funny. Quite the loss. Molly Ephaim was hilarious!
Apparently, they have jumped the shark with this exchange student bit. Get rid of her. The rest of the cast can carry the show!
Last Man Standing is a great show, but the exchange student didn’t help the show at all. Also Molly Ephraim was hilarious and the actress they took her spot doesn’t hold a candle to her.