Red and Kitty Forman are set to arrive at a new dumb family. Via The Hollywood Reporter, Netflix ordered a spinoff of That 70s Show called That 90s Show, and veteran actors Kurtwood Smith and Debra Jo Rupp to return to revive their roles as well.
That 70s Show ran eight seasons since 1998, making household names from young stars such as Topher Grace (Eric), Mila Kunis (Jackie), and Ashton Kutcher (Kelso), as well as Laura Prepon (Donna ), Wilmer Valderrama (Fez), and the now embarrassed Danny Masterson (Hyde). The stoned antics of their characters are moving forward, but the stakes always come from the fear that Red and Kitty will find out.
Now, a new generation is threatening to get Red’s foot up on their asses. While the youngsters aren’t far away, they will be taken in the character of Leia Forman, daughter of Eric and Donna. That’s the ’90s Show set far back in 1995, while Lei was visiting her grandparents for the summer and hanging out with a new group of teenagers in Point Place, Wisconsin.
Series creators Bonnie and Terry Turner have joined the team, and longtime sitcom maker and writer Greg Mettler will serve as showrunner. That said, Netflix wanted to see more members in the original launch of the guest roles, but for now, only Smith and Rupp have been announced. In principle, at least, Topher Grace seems to be interested.
One actor who probably won’t show up is Masterson. The origins of Steven Hyde’s character are set standing on three separate rape charges in Los Angeles.
This isn’t the first time that has done so That 70s Show tried to make a spinoff. In 2002, Fox aired a season of Kana ’80s Show, starring Glenn Howertown (It’s Always a Day in Philadelphia, AP Bio), as Eric Forman’s cousin Corey Howard. It was canceled before the final episode aired.