According to Deadline, Gracie Lawrence (Did You Hear About the Morgans?, Moxie) shares her perspective on her role as a new roommate, Kacey, and how she will not be replacing Renee Rapp’s (Mean Girls, Renee Rapp: Don’t Tell My Mom) character, Leighton. Rapp previously announced her departure in the summer of 2023 and was announced as a guest star instead of a series regular via mxdwn. Lawrence was interviewed by Us Weekly, which is where the information was initially revealed. 

“I think Kacey’s very different [from Rapp’s character, Leighton],” Lawrence informed Us Weekly. “There was no intention of ever feeling like it was replacing [her] or anything like that because that’s an iconic character. Leighton is a beloved iconic character. I don’t think anyone — from the creators of the show to any of the actors — would want to step on the toes of that.”

Deadline states that Kacey likes her space to be clean and is a virgin. Leighton’s departure was a result of her ambition to build on her finance career by transferring to MIT. Different characters were created and more will appear until January 21. So far, it has been Kacey and Taylor, a queer and sober freshman played by Mia Rogers (Trauma, Defending the Guilty). The showrunners attempt to create fresh ideas to keep the show engaging and explore different perspectives. Although the characters have different personalities and drives, the show itself knows the impact Leighton had on the drama. 

“They’re building out the cast with so much respect and homage to what [Rapp] brought to the show,” Lawrence explained in the Us Weekly interview.

Co-creator Justin Noble (Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Never Have I Ever) stated that Leighton “definitely still has some lessons and room to grow ahead of her” after the rumors of Rapp’s departure last year. Rapp was in the middle of her Snow Hard Feelings Tour when the news broke out.