In Netflix's That '90s Show , a new generation of Point Place teens camp out in the Formans' basement, but the cast of the original That '70s Show remains in the mix. Now, grandparents Katie (Debra Jo Rupp) and Rhett (Kurtwood Smith) are paying tribute to Eric (Topher Grace) and Donna (Laura) at their home in Wisconsin. Prepan)'s daughter Leia (Carly Havilda) opens her summer vacation. Not only do all of these actors appear individually in the pilot, Mila Kunis (Jackie) and Kelso (Ashton Kutcher) also make quick cameos. When Wilmer Valderrama later reprises his role as Fez, there was only one original star noticeably absent: Danny Masterson, who played Steven Hyde for the sitcom's entire eight seasons.
While the That '70s Show spinoff didn't directly address why Hyde didn't return to Point Place, there's an obvious reason why Masterson didn't join the series. When Netflix announced the cast of That '90s Show in February 2022, the actor was awaiting trial on three rape charges. The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office announced on June 17, 2020, that following a three-year investigation, an arrest warrant had been issued for Masterson, accusing him of assaulting three different women between 2001 and 2003. His bail was set at $3.3 million, and the actor was booked into the Los Angeles County Jail and released on bail that day.
Masterson's attorney, Tom Mesereau, maintained his client's innocence in a statement to NBC News at the time. "Obviously, Mr. Masterson and his wife are completely shocked, considering that these nearly 20 years of accusations have suddenly led to these charges, but they and their families are relieved to know that the truth will eventually come out," Mesereau said of the photo of the actor, who married actor and model Bijou Phillips in 2011. "Those who know Mr. Masterson know his character and know that these allegations are false."
Masterson, who faces a possible maximum sentence of 45 years to life in state prison, has pleaded not guilty to three counts of forcible rape and his trial is set to begin on October 11, 2022. During the proceedings, all three plaintiffs testified, drawing attention to Masterson's status as a well-known member of the Church of Scientology. According to JaneDos, the actor's status in the church gave him the "right" to have sex with them. Two of the women testified that they reported the allegations to church officials but were dissuaded from reporting the attacks to police. All three women, including an ex-girlfriend, have left the church.
In an October 2022 statement to The New York Times , a spokesman for the Church of Scientology denied that they pressured any of the alleged victims. "The Church will not prevent anyone from reporting any suspected criminal conduct, nor will it tell anyone not to report any suspected criminal conduct," the statement read in part.
On November 30, the jury remained deadlocked on the verdict, and a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge declared a mistrial. At the time, the District Attorney's Office said they would consider "next steps related to prosecuting this case." They made the decision on Jan. 10, 2023, with Deputy District Attorney Reinhold Mueller telling the court that his office would hold a second trial against Masterson. "It would be unjust if the jury couldn't give these victims another chance to sit down and consider all the evidence — win, lose or draw," Mueller said, according to Variety . The jury ignored supporting testimony.
Defense attorney Philip Cohen argued that the jury was unlikely to vote unanimously to convict Masterson and moved to dismiss the case. However, the judge rejected the defense request and set a jury selection date of March 29.
After the news broke, two women who testified at the actor's first trial released a statement. "We are pleased that Danny Masterson will not be allowed to simply evade criminal responsibility," they said. "Despite years of intimidation and harassment, we are fully committed to attending the next criminal trial as requested by prosecutors and Testify once again about Mr. Masterson’s depravity.”
However, on February 16, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Charlaine Olmedo slightly postponed Masterson's second criminal trial, pushing the start of jury selection from March 29 to April 11. The reason for delaying the proceedings was reportedly to accommodate potential witnesses. Deadline also reports that various hearings are still on the schedule, including motion hearings on March 27 and 28.
According to the Associated Press, after a second trial, the jury found Masterson guilty of two of the three counts of rape on May 31. On September 7, Olmedo sentenced Masterson to 30 years to life in prison. , which is the maximum sentence allowed by law. Masterson, 47, will be eligible for parole after serving 25 1/2 years.
"I know you're sitting here adamantly claiming your innocence, so there's no question that you feel like a victim of a justice system that's a judicial system," Olmedo told Masterson before sentencing, according to the Associated Press. The system failed you." "But Mr. Masterson, you are not the victim here. Your actions 20 years ago took away another person's voice and choice. No matter what, you have to live with your past. behavior and its consequences.”
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, you can call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or visit hotline.rainn.org.
