That '90s Show has just hit Netflix, and its cast is out promoting the freshman series. Although the series is a sequel to That '70s Show, the cast wanted to make it clear that the new series stands on its own.
Netflix's That '90s Show, Callie Haverda plays Leia Forman, the daughter of Eric (Topher Grace) and Donna (Laura Prepon), who decides to stay with grandparents Red (Kurtwood Smith) and Kitty (Debra Jo Rupp) in Point Place for the summer. In Point Place, she meets her own gang, consisting of Kelso (Ashton Kutcher) and Jackie's (Mila Kunis) son Jay Kelso (Mace Coronel), Gwen (Ashley Aufderheide), Nate (Maxwell Acee Donovan), Ozzie (Reyn Doi), and Nikki (Sam Morelos).
In an interview with Hollywood Life, the cast of That '90s Show spoke about the series. Morelos stressed that the new kids of Point Place were their own characters. “At the end of the day, we’re all just teenagers and we’re playing teenagers. That ’70s Show was really about a friend group, and now we’re just a different friend group," Morelos said. "So it does stand on its own in that way.” This was a continuation of Aufderheide's thoughts, who said, “I feel like that’s something we wanted to bring to That ’90s Show, the same sense of camaraderie, but also have our own characters that aren’t just copy-paste of That ’70s Show, so it’s like a good balance between the two.”
The cast did talk about welcoming back the That '70s Show cast and continuing its legacy. Haverda says her character is an independent person, but still shares some qualities with her parents. "I mean, in the beginning, with the character of Leia I didn’t want her to be a carbon copy of Eric and Donna," Haverda said. "It was trying to find that simple medium — her being her own character, so having mannerisms from her parents, obviously, that she takes on and tone inflections like Eric’s perfect little high-pitched voice, stuff like that. I think I can say for all of us it was just insane when we booked it. It was definitely a joyous celebration.”
This approach is exactly how That '90s Show can succeed. Though the series is finding its own identity, it still respects the original series and chooses to incorporate small details into the background. Haverda's performance, in particular, is inspired. She channels Eric and Donna but makes the role her own. Like Eric, she's an awkward, nerdy person, while, like Donna, she's stubborn and hotheaded.
That '90s Show brings back fan-favorite characters, and that's an exciting prospect. However, the show must keep this balance to have a future. Once the show finds its footing, the nostalgic appeal will only be a bonus.
That '90s Show is now streaming on Netflix.
Source: Hollywood Life