That '90s Show has hit Netflix with a double dose of nostalgia. The series brings the That '70s Show characters back to the small screen after 17 years. Though the in-universe time difference is only 15 years, the real-life time gap helps sell the story. Not only have the characters grown into adults - their portrayers have aged roughly the same amount, and it's clear that these characters aren't in the same place audiences left them.
That '90s Show, however, is meant to stand on its own, so, while tidbits about what the characters are up to make their way into the series, they're not the main focus. Red (Kurtwood Smith) and Kitty (Debra Jo Rupp) are main characters once again, so their stories are fleshed out a bit more than other returning cast members. That doesn't mean everyone else doesn't get some off-screen development, however.
What Happened to The Gang From That '70s Show?
To put it simply: they grew up! That '90s Show welcomes back the cast of That '70s Show, but it looks like things have changed a lot for the main friend group. It appears that, though they were best friends in high school, they don't get together all that much anymore. Both Kelso (Ashton Kutcher) and Jackie (Mila Kunis) appear within the first episode, and it's clear that Kitty has not seen the two of them for some time. It doesn't look like the Formans have any more than a passing familiarity with Jackie and Kelso's son, Jay (Mace Coronel), either.
Donna (Laura Prepon) is also unaware that Jay is dating her own daughter, Leia (Callie Haverda) - something Jackie would probably gossip about if the two were in contact. It's also curious that Kitty does not know about a falling out Fez (Wilmer Valderrama) and Jackie had 15 years ago - and it's possible that Fez no longer talks to Jackie or Kelso (Kitty also does not know that Jackie and Kelso will be getting remarried).
On the other hand, Fez later refers to Eric (Topher Grace) as his "best friend". Though Fez is known for his sentimentality, it's possible the gang still gets together, even if the Formans' basement is no longer their go-to hangout spot. Fez and Donna do briefly interact within the series, and there's a casualness there that suggests they've seen each other in the recent past.
Eric and Donna
Eric and Donna are happily married. The two were the central emotional focus of That '70s Show, and it looks like they finally managed to make things work after Eric left for Africa. Considering their daughter, Leia, turns 15 in the middle of the summer of '95, the two of them ended up having a baby not long after That '70s Show ended. Eric continued his desire to be a teacher, and eventually became an adjunct professor (with his own parking space for his bike!) with his course, fittingly, being The Religion of Star Wars. Eric continues to be as nerdy and dorky as ever - and now that Leia's turning 15, he finds himself unable to let her grow up and form her own interests.
Donna, meanwhile, is a novelist. Kitty and Red mention that she's recently published a book ("Oh, you read my book?" "No, the review!"), but the contents of that book, and its level of success, are left unknown. Donna now lives in Chicago with Eric, and they're both far more permissive parents than their own were. When Leia is suspected to be having sex, Kitty calls Donna in a panic - but while Donna is terrified at the thought of her daughter growing up, she also gives her some supportive advice (using the "real words" this time), and even buys her daughter condoms. She also briefly pops in on two of Leia's friends sitting in a circle with Fez, and doesn't seem too perturbed by it.
Both Eric and Donna are struggling with their middle-age. In the first episode, "That '90s Pilot", the two rue spending the night in with Kitty and Red, but find that they're too sensible to do anything else. The two have really come into their own.
Kelso and Jackie
Kelso and Jackie's ending is one Mila Kunis 'called bs' on - the two had been apart for the last four seasons of That '70s Show, and Jackie ended up with Fez in the series finale. As it turns out, that didn't last. Fez and Jackie went on a trip to Jamaica, where Fez discovered that Jackie was making calls to Kelso. Jackie left Fez the next day, and Fez doesn't seem over it in the present day. Kelso and Jackie also had a kid pretty early on - Jay is around Leia's age.
It seems as though Kelso and Jackie have fallen into old patterns and have changed the least since their days on That '70s Show. Kelso is still as goofy and lovable as ever, while Jackie is still as acerbic and fashionable as ever. The two are apparently on their second remarriage - they're registered at Bloomingdales and Jackie will judge guests on their gifts. Kelso hopes that the third time's the charm, but the two aren't seen after this, so it's hard to judge what went on afterwards. Maybe they'll pop up again for season 2?
Fez
Fez is working with what he loves: hair. He's become a local celebrity around Point Place as he's opened his Chez Fez (it rhymes) chain of hair salons. He appears to have become something of a playboy in the intervening years, continuing a development which began in season 8 of That '70s Show. He begins a relationship with the Forman's next door neighbor, Sherri (Andrea Anders), a flighty woman who rivals Bob (Don Stark) in being able to annoy Red.
Fez breaks up temporarily with Sherri, but they're together by the end of the season. He confesses to Kitty that his breakup with Jackie hurt him deeply, and Kitty helps him overcome that. Fez is the returning character that appears the most in That '90s Show: he's a recurring character with some decent plot relevance. Valderrama is clearly game for more involvement in the series, and he jumps right back into the role. He even brings along his old grudge with Fenton (Jim Rash), his old landlord and nemesis.
Kitty, Red, and Bob
Kitty, Red, and Bob are all loving grandparents. Don Stark's Bob Pinciotti is perhaps the person on the planet Red would like to be shackled to the least, and he rues the fact that Eric has combined their families through Leia. Both Bob and Red continually try to one-up each other and be the better grandpa, but it's clear that Leia loves the both of them deeply. Bob still lives in Florida after having moved away in season 8 of That '70s Show, but Kitty notes he's always welcome. Maybe he can join the Formans in retirement back in Wisconsin.
Red is very much the same man he was by the end of That '80s Show. He's hardheaded, stern, and always willing to be the voice of reason and frustration. He appears to be enjoying retirement still; the only thing ruining his peace is Leia's new friends.
Kitty is as active as ever. After That '70s Show, she settled into the role of a grandma, but still views Eric as her little boy. Kitty seems far less content with staying still, but worries her age means that her active years are behind her. Still, later on in the season, she applies to be the school nurse at the high school and returns to work. She's also still got a bit of a wild streak, and prefers to let the kids do their own thing rather than stifling them.
Other Characters
Danny Masterson was confirmed to be the only cast member not returning to That '90s Show, and the show does not even mention what became of Hyde. He's seen in flashbacks and some of his belongings remain in the basement, but the character is never once referenced by name. Other characters from That '70s Show do, however, appear.
Various minor characters are mentioned throughout the series, if not seen; Pastor Dave (Kevin McDonald) was a recurring character in the original series. Here, Kitty sees him (off-screen) entering an adult section at the video store, which causes her to flee in embarrassment. Red mentions that Kitty's sister Paula (played by the late Valerie Harper) is still alive, and Kitty mentions her mother, Bea (played by the late Betty White) has passed away. As mentioned previously, Fenton does make his return for a memorable appearance. He's still as catty towards Fez as ever; though they squash their beef, Fez later pulls a prank on him that Fenton might not appreciate.
Tommy Chong reprises his role as Leo in That '90s Show, and the affable hippie hasn't changed one bit. He's as spacey and stoned as ever. Though the other characters remember him well (and Kitty later remarks that she probably shouldn't have let a grown man hang out with teenagers), Leo hardly ever recalls his old friends - a gag which carries over from That '70s Show. He's also seen auditioning for The Real World.
Some notable names are not mentioned in the show. Alongside Hyde, Donna's mother Midge (played by the late Tanya Roberts) is not mentioned. It is possible the character has also passed away - she's not mentioned during Leia's birthday party despite her absence - and Kitty tries to get Donna to call her 'mom'. It's possible that she may be mentioned in future seasons, off-screen and happy. Laurie (played by the late Lisa Robin Kelly) is also not mentioned. It's briefly mentioned that the Formans have two children, but Laurie's name is not brought up. Before the end of That '70s Show ended, Kelly was recast and replaced by Christina Moore. Moore could make a comeback as the character, but it's more likely that the writers will not mention Laurie out of respect for Kelly's passing.
That '90s Show hasn't forgotten the older generation of Point Place. Though its focus has shifted to the '90s, the sitcom very much continues the spirit of That '70s Show - and hopefully old cast members will continue to pop up and have their stories told if the series continues beyond season 1.
That '90s Show is now streaming on Netflix.