Fans recently learned that “Last Man Standing,” which originally aired on ABC, had been picked up by Fox for another season — but now there’s news that two of its stars won’t be making the move.
According to Deadline Monday, the Tim Allen lead series will return in the fall for a seventh season minus Molly Ephraim, who played Allen’s daughter Mandy on the series. Flynn Morrison, who played Allen’s grandson Boyd Baxter, also will not return.
Actor Tim Allen attends the 100th episode celebration of ABC’s “Last Man Standing” at CBS Studios – Radford on January 12, 2016 in Studio City, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)
Recasting for both roles is currently underway for the series return this fall, the outlet confirmed.
Another report in Variety said that Kaitlyn Dever, who played Allen’s youngest daughter Eve Baxter, had already signed on to star in a Netflix drama called “Unbelievable.” She is reportedly in talks with Fox for a recurring role on the upcoming season.
Last week, the 65-year-old comedian announced the premiere date for the show Thursday night on Fox. ABC canceled the popular series last May.
“Mark your calendar for Sept. 28th! @LastManStanding #LastManStanding,” Allen tweeted along with a shot of him embracing actress Nancy Travis, who plays his wife on the show.
Mark your calendar for Sept. 28th! @LastManStanding #LastManStanding pic.twitter.com/JMHMFzXZ0R
— Tim Allen (@ofctimallen) June 28, 2018
News that Fox picked up the sitcom last month for the seventh season not only had fans thrilled, but the “Home Improvement” star made it clear he was more than a little excited.
“Excited?” Allen told Fox News at the time. “Team LMS was in the sixth inning, ahead by four runs, stands were packed, and then for no reason, they call off the game. It leaves you sitting in the dugout, holding a bat and puzzled. Now we get the news from Fox that it’s time to get back out on that diamond! Hell yes, I’m excited!”
“When I heard the offer to create more episodes of ‘Last Man Standing,’ I did a fist pump so hard I threw my back out,” he added. “It’s the fans! I could not be more grateful for the fans who wrote petitions and kept up the passion and incredible support for the show.”
“And a fist pump — ouch — for Dana Walden and Gary Newman at Fox for not only listening to the fans but for making the bold move to bring ‘Last Man Standing’ back,” he continued. “I’m sure audiences will be curious to see what we look like after all these years. Oh, has it only been one year? Well, just goes to show you, a lot can happen in a year.”
The series is about a married man who is outnumbered by his wife and three daughters and how he maintains his manliness.
