Those following entertainment news in recent weeks will likely have heard about theDanny Mastersoncase. In September 2023, the formerThat ’70s Showstar wassentenced to 30 yearsto life in prison on assault charges. Investigations into Masterson first began in 2017, leading to the effective end of his career. He was formally charged with three counts of assault in 2020, with the trial beginning in late 2022. After the jury deadlocked, a new trial began in April 2023, with Masterson convicted on two counts in May.
Masterson’s actions have shed new light on other problematic actions by his'70s Showcostars. With all this negative publicity, it doesn’t seem like an ideal time to reboot the series. But that’s exactly what Netflix did withThat ’90s Show. The show’s first season dropped in January, and a second is set to go into production when the WGA and SAG strikes conclude. But is this really the best idea? Though Masterson has no involvement withThat ’90s Show,many of his costars who did return have expressed public support for him. What effect will this have on the Netflix sequel’s future? Let’s look at some possibilities.
The Buildup
From 1998 to 2006, Danny Masterson starred as Steven Hyde onThat ’70s Show. He enjoyed a pretty steady career throughout the following decade, with his final major role alongside former'70scostar Ashton Kutcher on Netflix’sThe Ranch. When Masterson’s assault claims were publicized, Netflix severed their ties and fired him fromThe Ranchin December 2017.
A prominent Scientologist,the celebrity “church,“was also accused of helping Masterson to silence and intimidate his victims. For the next few years, Masterson’s career stalled as court proceedings dragged on until 2023. A sentence of 30 years to life ensures that his acting gigs are essentially over.
Related:Where The That 70’s Show Cast is Today
Meanwhile, in the midst of this legal drama, Netflix greenlitThat ’90s Showin late 2021. Starring Debra Jo Rupp and Kurtwood Smith alongside a new cast of kids, the sequel follows the daughter of Eric Forman and Donna Pinciotti with her new group of friends.
Unsurprisingly, Steven Hyde did not return for the new series. His whereabouts were never referred to either. The remainder of the original cast, consisting of Topher Grace, Mila Kunis, Ashton Kutcher, Laura Prepon, and Wilmer Valderrama, all made guest appearances throughout the first season. But could Masterson’s bad behavior take the rest down with him?
Costar Support
Despite the serious and disturbing nature of the charges, several of Masterson’sThat ’70s Showcostars came to his defense. Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis, Debra Jo Rupp, and Kurtwood Smith all wrote letters to the judge vouching for Masterson’s character and alleged drug-free lifestyle.
The internet was quick to turn against the cast, with Kutcher and Kunis particularly singled out for their praise of Masterson as a role model. The two didn’t help their case when they postedan “apology” videofor their letters. The apology did not address any of the statements made about Masterson in the letters, instead only clarifying that they intended the letters to remain private.
Related:Danny Masterson’s Crimes and Arrest, Explained
Old video clips of the cast also began to resurface, specificallya 2002 appearanceonThe Rosie O’Donnell Showwhere Kutcher revealed that Masterson bet him $10 to French kiss Kunis. Kutcher was around 19 or 20 at the time, while Masterson was in his early 20s. Kunis was only 14, which Kutcher joked “felt illegal” to him.
Even cast members who did not speak on the sentencing were hit with allegations. Laura Prepon was heavily involved in Scientology with Masterson, even dating his brother Christopher Masterson ofMalcolm in the Middlefor eight years. Wilmer Valderrama is alleged to have been involved with Demi Lovato while she was 17 and he was 29.
It seems that the only one spared from controversy was lead Topher Grace, who publicly admitted he was not close to his costars. Cast members Don Stark (Bob Pinciotti) and Tommy Chong (Leo) do not appear to have made any statements on Masterson’s case either.
’90s in Trouble?
Netflix was quick to renewThat ’90s Showfor a second seasonfollowing its January debut. However, with the production delays caused by the Hollywood strikes, it could be a while before the new season is ready. Ask some fans online, though, and they might say it should never come.
Though most of the original cast is relegated to guest spots, Debra Jo Rupp and Kurtwood Smith still appear in leading roles. While Kutcher and Kunis took most of the backlash, the internet has let Red and Kitty know how badly they messed up with their support letters. Standing in defense of a convicted assaulter, even one they’ve known for 25 years, isn’t something that will go away anytime soon.
Could the show move forward without them? That’s possible but extremely unlikely. Since Red and Kitty’s return as leads drew most original fans back, focusing on just the new kid cast wouldn’t appeal to longtime viewers. Couple that with how problematic the original show was in hindsight, and suddenly, you have a very troubled reboot. If Netflix did choose to dropThat ’90s Show, they could always blame it on the strikes to save face. If not, viewers would probably respond well to a reboot solely focusing on Topher Grace’s Eric Forman and his enduringStar Warslove.
