That ’70s Show Star Explains Why He’s Returning For That ’90s Show

That ’70s Show star Kurtwood Smith explains why he’s returning for That ’90s Show. Released in 1998, That ‘70s Show aired on Fox for eight seasons. Focusing on the lives of an eclectic group of teenage friends and their misadventures, tribulations, and relationships, the popular sitcom helped to launch the career of many of its cast members. Set in the suburbs of Point Place, Wisconsin, That ‘70s Show centers on Eric Forman (Topher Grace), who lives with his parents, Kitty (Debra Jo Rupp) and Red (Smith), and his relationship with his neighbor and love interest, Donna (Laura Prepon).

Last year, Netflix announced That ‘70s Show would be getting a sequel series, titled That ‘90s Show. Featuring the return of Rupp and Smith as Kitty and Red Forman, That ‘90s Show will follow the daughter of Eric and Donna, Leia Forman (Callie Haverda), who spends the summer in Point Place with her grandparents. Recently, it was announced that a majority of the original That ‘70s Show cast would reprise their roles for the spinoff, including Grace, Prepon, Wilmer Valderrama, Ashton Kutcher, and Mila Kunis.

Now, Smith opens up about stepping back into the role of Red for the follow-up to That ‘70s Show. Speaking with ComicBook.com, Smith says the first That ’90s Show episodes 1 & 2 are complete, and the reception of the series has been terrific so far. He reveals that playing Red opposite Rupp again, as well as having original show writer Gregg Mettler attached, is what enticed him to join the project. Read Smith’s full comment below:

I can’t tell you too much, but I can tell you that the big thing for me was getting to play that character again and getting to play that character with Deborah Jo Rupp playing my wife Kitty. Those two things were enough to entice me to want to do the project. I thought that, and then third was the fact that Gregg… I’m spacing on his last name, that Gregg who was a writer from the original show was a writer on this, not just the writer, excuse me. He’s pretty much the creator on the show. Mettler is his last name.

I’ll just say one other thing about That ’90s Show and that is that we’ve had some tests. We finished two episodes and the response has been terrific. So I think you’re going to be very happy.

Helmed by showrunner Mettler, That ’90s Show has paved the way for That ’70s Show cast members to return while diving into the misadventures of the new basement group. At this time, it’s unknown if anyone besides Leia Forman is related to the original characters from That ’70s Show. Set in 1995, That ’90s Show can offer the familiarity of Red and Kitty while showing a fresh side to the duo as they tackle a new era in their lives as grandparents. Netflix recently released the first look at That ’90s Show with an image of Red and Kitty in their updated kitchen.

Slated for 10 episodes, the new period sitcom appears to be off to a great start. For now, it’s unknown how big of a role Eric, Donna, Fez, Kelso, and Jackie will play in the next installment. However, the focus of That ’90s Show will be put on Red, Kitty, Leia, and her group of friends. Fans of That ’70s Show, as well as a new generation of viewers, can look forward to seeing Red and Kitty in a different decade while reliving the pop culture, fashion, and influences from 1995 in That ’90s Show.