Fresh Off the Boatfeatured the lives of an Asian American family as they moved from the country’s capital to Orlando, Florida, in the mid-1990s. It’s loosely based on the autobiography of renowned chef Eddie Huang, as he was only a boy when his family decided to make a sudden change in their lives. The TV show started off great, and as expected, its detractors were furious with the way some cultures were depicted. Its first seasons were very successful as the sitcom format seemed to fit perfectly with the show’s mocking depiction of ’90s culture.
However, years later, there wasn’t much happiness in the Huang household. Not because the series had lost its quirkiness, but because there was something else going on. Something that would come to light eventually and which the show’s star Constance Wu would be very vocal about.Sexual assault allegationswere what finally made everything come to an end.
Then again, it seems it wasn’t only her. Supposedly people weren’t comfortable with some depictions in the show, and even Huang, the inspiration behind the show wasn’t very happy with how things turned out. This seems weird, as Season 1 was a great window into what the show became: a follow-up to the idea of cultures clashing together in a world that seems too good to be true. But it was Orlando in the mid-90s. How else could you depict it?
As we wait a couple of years until a rewatch is necessary, let’s take a look at the characters ofFresh Off the Boatand the people that portrayed them.
Louis Huang (Randall Park)
ComedianRandall Parkplays Louis Huang with the authenticity the character needs. He’s a goofball that’s always at the service of his family and his own ideals which involve playing around with his boys and trying to satisfy his bossy wife. Louis is a great sitcom dad and one neighbor we all wish we had. No one but Park could have done this and made it all seem funny.
Related:Fresh Off the Boat Cast: Where They Are Today
Audiences may recognize Park from his other roles inAnt-Man and the WaspandWandavision, along with guest roles inThe Mindy Project,BoJack Horseman, andYoung Rock.
Jessica Huang (Constance Wu)
Jessica Huang is a housewife trying to survive the “safer than anything” dynamics of the place she’s just moved to. However, she doesn’t adapt. Everything adapts toher. She’s bossy, convinced of her views, and will stop at nothing until she accomplishes her goal of becoming a writer. She loves Stephen King, is arguably a great mother and wife, and is superbly played by the greatConstance Wu.
The actress is recognizable from her role as Rachel ChuinCrazy Rich Asians. Wu was also inHustlers,Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile, andVelma.
Eddie Huang (Hudson Yang)
Eddie, played byHudson Yang, is an Asian American boy who wants to become a rapper. He likes all things he’s not “supposed” to like according to the culture he grew up in, and is as foul-mouthed, as television allowed him to be. Season 1 revolves around him because his character is based on Eddie Huang, the chef whose autobiography inspired the show. As he grew up, Eddie became kind of annoying, thus making the show drift to other more compelling storylines.
WhileFresh Off the Boatis his largest role, Yang has also had roles inLiv & Maddie,Sofia the First, and the action thriller movieThe Ray.
Emery Huang (Forrest Wheeler)
Emery Huang is the son in the middle. The smart one. The one that had to do everything to be featured in the Huang household. Played byForrest Wheeler, one of the best actors in the show, Emery seems to be the most similar to Jessica. He’s romantic, passionate, and very kind, and his personality is enough to make him explore whenever he has to.
Like Yang,Fresh Off the Boatis Wheeler’s most significant role. However, he has also been a part ofMortal Kombat: Legacy,Sofia the First, andSuch Good People.
Evan Huang (Ian Cheng)
Evan, played byIan Cheng, is Jessica’s favorite, by far. He’s the star student that joins every club in school, skips grades, and even joins the homeowners' community sessions. He’s very mature and has a great talent to convince his parents to do anything he proposes. His panicky “shriek” could easily be thefunniest thing in the show. Cheng has also had roles inModern Family,Grey’s Anatomy,Family Guy, and theShazam!movies.
Jenny Huang (Lucille Soong)
Jenny (Lucille Soong), is the matriarch of the Huang family. She’s laid back and passionate about Garfield. Jenny only speaks Mandarin and acts perfectly as the balance that the Huangs must have at the end of every episode so that the conflict is resolved. She’s sarcastic enough to steal every scene she’s in, as she’s easily the funniest character in the show.
Related:The 10 Most Highly Rewatchable Sitcoms of All Time
Soong has had a long film career dating back to the 1950s. Audiences may recognize her from her work inMission: Impossible III,Raya and the Last Dragon, andDesperate Housewives.
Honey (Chelsey Crisp)
Honey (Chelsey Crisp) could have been seen as a gold-digger at first, as she’s the young blonde bombshell married to the old guyin the suburbs. However, Honey progressed into a character we cared about deeply as she became Jessica’s best friend and often had to compete with her in being a good wife, good neighbor, and ultimately a good mother when she gave birth in Season 5. Crisp has previously been in episodes ofNCIS,Mike & Molly, andNew Girl.
Marvin (Ray Wise)
One of the veterans in the show,Ray Wise, plays Marvin. He’s a wealthy dentist married to the much-younger Honey. He’s one of Louis' friends and uses every opportunity to have a good, naive laugh. Wise’s Marvin is sadly too secondary in a show that features the actor seemingly having the best time he’s ever had. Wise previously had roles inHow I Met Your Mother,Mad Men, andPsych.
Eddie’s Posse
Trent (Trevor Larcom), Dave (Evan Hannemann), Walter (Prophet Bolden), and Brian (Dash Williams). Eddie’s group of friends from school and the posse he’s always relying on. Every one of them has their own issues, and their personalities are key to making Eddie’s plots hilarious. Nicole (Luna Blaise) is Eddie’s best friend who helps him when he arrives at the new school as she’s also his neighbor and Marvin’s daughter from another marriage.
The Valuable Team of Cattleman’s Ranch
Cattleman’s Ranch is the restaurant opened by Louis that everyone would have thought sold Chinese food. A great misunderstanding as the Ranchserves all-American mealsin the best style of ’90s Orlando food joints. Hector (Noel Gugliemi) is the chef, Nancy (Jillian Armenante) is a bad waitress, and Mitch (Paul Scheer) is the host that screws up constantly. In the end, they made Cattleman’s Ranch a place we all wish we could have visited in the ’90s.
