How Does That '90s Show Explain Danny Masterson's Absence? What to Know

The cast of That '70s Show is reuniting for a new spin-off series titled That '90s Show, but one major character won't be featured.  After being

charged in 2020 with forcibly raping three women in separate incidents between 2001 and 2003, Danny Masterson will not reprise his role as Steven Hyde on the new Netflix

series.  The actor pleaded not guilty to all three charges in January 2021 and stood trial the following year. In December 2022, the rape trial was declared a mistrial

after the jury said they were unable to reach a verdict on any of the three criminal charges Masterson faced, according to Deadline and the Associated Press.  The new

series, which was first announced in October 2021, takes place two decades after the original series during the summer of 1995.  As the show largely centers around the

teenage kids of the original characters, several That '70s Show stars make guest appearances, including Topher Grace as Eric Forman, Mila Kunis as Jackie Burkhart, Ashton Kutcher

as Michael Kelso, Laura Prepon as Donna Pinciotti and Wilmer Valderrama as Fez.  Following the show's debut on Netflix, here's what to know about Masterson's absence. 

How does That '90s Show address Danny Masterson's absence? Despite being a main character on That '70s Show, the absence of Masterson's character Steven Hyde isn't addressed

on the new show. In fact, there is no mention of Hyde at all on the series. Though the show doesn't explain his absence, it does reveal what the rest of the characters have been

doing since the That '70s Show finale.