Why isn’t Danny Masterson (Hyde) in That ’90s Show?

Get ready to travel back to Point Place, Wisconsin because Netflix’s That ’70s Show spinoff, That ’90s Show, is here! Fans of the beloved Fox sitcom are excited to find out what’s happened to some of their favorite characters, like Eric and Donna, and meet a new batch of teenagers taking over the Forman basement. Several members of the original cast are back for the new show, including Topher Grace, Laura Prepon, Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis, Wilmer Valderrama, Debra Jo Rupp, Kurtwood Smith, and more. That ’90s Show isn’t the perfect sequel, but the nostalgia factor will certainly have people tuning in.

The main cast of That ’70s Show all return in That ’90s Show in some capacity, except for Danny Masterson as Hyde. The actor played the fan-favorite character in all eight seasons of the original sitcom, and viewers will be feeling his absence in the spinoff. However, there’s a reason Masterson wasn’t invited back to reprise his role.

Trigger Warning: Sexual Assault

Is Hyde in That ’90s Show?

If you started watching the spinoff, which just dropped on Netflix on Thursday, Jan. 19, you’re probably wondering whether or not Hyde will make an appearance. We’re here to confirm the character is not in That ’90s Show at all, nor is he mentioned. Netflix basically ended their relationship with Masterson when they fired him from their sitcom The Ranch after he was accused of sexual assault in 2017.

The actor was accused of sexual assault by five different women, and by 2020 he was arrested on three counts of rape. As anyone who’s been keeping up with the case knows, it resulted in a mistrial in Oct. 2022, though more recently it was reported that he will face a second trial. People are hoping this leads to justice and Masterson will serve time in prison.

Netflix has not released a statement regarding Masterston’s absence in That ’90s Show, but I don’t think they have to. Though Hyde was an integral part of the original series, the show must go on without him, and I’d rather him not be in it.

You can stream all 10 episodes of That ’90s Show on Netflix right now.