WARNING! This article contains minor SPOILERS for That '90s Show season 1!The majority of That ‘70s Show’s original cast returns for That ‘90s Show, with a few major exceptions. That ‘90s Show is set in the summer of 1995, picking up about 15 years after That ‘70s Show’s series finale. The sitcom follows Eric Forman and Donna Pinciotti’s teenage daughter Leia Forman as she stays in Point Place for the summer with Red and Kitty, introducing a new generation of teens hanging out in the basement. In addition to many new figures around Point Place, That ‘90s Show brings back plenty of familiar faces from That ‘70s Show throughout the first season.

The cast of That ‘90s Show season 1 includes Debra Jo Rupp (Kitty), Kurtwood Smith (Red), Topher Grace (Eric), Laura Prepon (Donna), Wilmer Valderrama (Fez), Ashton Kutcher (Michael Kelso), Mila Kunis (Jackie), Tommy Chong (Leo), and Don Stark (Bob) reprising their roles from That ‘70s Show. The majority of the returning That ‘70s Show actors only appear in recurring or guest capacities, but this is because the sequel series is focused on the next generation of teens, which includes Donna and Eric’s daughter Leia and Jackie and Kelso’s son Jay. However, That ‘90s Show season 1 is still missing four major characters from the original series.

Related: Bob’s That '90s Show Return Keeps 1 Good Season 8 Change

Steven Hyde

Steven Hyde in That '70s Show series finale

Since the rest of That ‘70s Show’s original main teens return, the absence of Steven Hyde in That ‘90s Show season 1 is particularly noticeable. The character is never referenced throughout the spinoff series, with his fate after That ‘70s Show’s finale continuing to be a mystery. In fact, That ‘90s Show’s ending makes a point of excluding him from Fez’s Circle vision. Missing the old gang, Fez imagines the original characters as their younger selves in the Circle, with That ‘90s Show including clips of Eric, Jackie, and Kelso from scenes in That ‘70s Show. Since adult Donna appears alongside Fez in That ‘90s Show’s Circle, the only character missing is Hyde.

However, Steven Hyde’s physical absence from That '90s Show's Easter egg-filled first season is for good reason. The spinoff would be making a mistake by recasting the character, and his original actor will not be returning. Danny Masterson has been standing criminal trial for multiple counts of sexual assault, so That ‘90s Show is right to exclude the actor – who was fired from Netflix’s The Ranch in 2017 – from the spinoff. While Hyde won’t physically appear on That ‘90s Show, the series could eventually give an update on his fictional fate.

Laurie Forman

Lisa Robin Kelly as Laurie Forman on That 70s Show

Also missing from That ‘90s Show season 1 is That ‘70s Show’s beloved character Laurie Forman, the eldest child of Kitty and Red and the older sister of Eric. Laurie was one of the original series’ most prominent recurring characters, who frequently appeared in That ‘70s Show seasons 1 through 6. Laurie was recast in That ‘70s Show season 6 after her original actress Lisa Robin Kelly left the series, with Christina Moore replacing her for six episodes. However, the character was entirely absent in That ‘70s Show seasons 7 and 8, so it’s not too surprising that she doesn’t appear in That ‘90s Show season 1.

The reason why Laurie Forman isn’t included in That ‘90s Show season 1 seems to be that Lisa Robin Kelly passed away in 2013, though Christina Moore could potentially reprise her short-lived role as the character. Still, it’s odd that Laurie isn’t referred to by name throughout That ‘90s Show season 1 given the spinoff is focused on her family again. That ‘90s Show season 2 will hopefully give an update on the fate of Laurie Forman, even if she doesn’t actually appear.

Related: That '90s Show Season 1 Ending: What's Next For Every Character

Randy Pearson

Josh Meyers as Randy in That '70s Show

While Randy was widely hated by fans upon his introduction in That ‘70s Show season 8, he’s the only missing major character who could reasonably return. Randy entered That ‘70s Show season 8 as the replacement for Eric and Kelso, as Topher Grace and Ashton Kutcher both departed the series early. Josh Meyers’ character took on a main role in the final season while dating Laura Prepon’s character, yet Randy only appeared in one scene of That ‘70s Show’s series finale after Donna broke up with him. With That ‘90s Show season 1 ignoring most major changes from That ‘70s Show season 8, Randy Pearson is excluded entirely from Netflix’s sequel series.

Midge Pinciotti

That 70s Show

That ‘70s Show’s beloved recurring character Midge Pinciotti will not return in That ‘90s Show. However, it’s still upsetting that Bob’s ex-wife and Donna’s mother was never mentioned in the sequel series’ inaugural season. Midge Pinciotti actress Tanya Roberts sadly passed away in early 2021, so the character won’t appear in the Netflix sitcom. Since Midge didn’t appear in That ‘70s Show season 8 after moving back to California, it seems the character is still living there in That ‘90s Show, as the Netflix sitcom hasn’t given any indication of her fate otherwise.

Next: That ‘70s Show: Why Donna’s Mom Disappeared After Season 3