Nostalgia is a hell of a drug. It makes us remember things as better than they actually were, but it also makes us fiercely protective of the characters we grew up with in the basement. When Netflix announced a sequel to That '70s Show, the internet collectively held its breath. People were terrified. We’ve all seen the "legacy sequel" trend go south fast, but That 90s Show cast managed to do something pretty rare: they captured the original's weird, hazy magic without just doing a cheap impression of it.
Honestly, the chemistry is what saves it. If you look at the new crew led by Callie Haverda, you’ll see they aren’t just archetypes. They’re kids. Awkward, sweaty, 1995-era kids who don't know who they are yet. That’s the secret sauce.
Meet the New Basement Dwellers
Red and Kitty’s basement isn't empty for long. The story kicks off when Leia Forman, the daughter of Eric and Donna, decides to spend the summer in Point Place. Callie Haverda plays Leia with this perfect mix of Eric’s neuroticism and Donna’s groundedness. It’s a tough tightrope to walk. You want to see the parents in her, but you also want her to be her own person. Haverda nails it by being deeply uncool in a way that feels authentic to a fifteen-year-old girl in the mid-90s.
Then you have the neighbors.
Ashley Aufderheide plays Gwen Runck, the riot grrrl who lives in Donna’s old house. She’s basically the catalyst for the whole show. Without Gwen, Leia would probably just be sitting upstairs doing a puzzle with Kitty. Gwen brings that "alt" energy that defined the decade—think flannel shirts, Doc Martens, and a general disdain for the mainstream. Her brother, Nate, played by Maxwell Acee Donovan, is the lovable jock who isn't actually a jerk. He’s huge, he’s kind of a dummy, and he’s incredibly charming.
The group is rounded out by:
- Ozzie (Reyn Doi): He’s cynical, sharp-tongued, and openly gay in a town that isn't exactly a progressive hub. Doi has the best comedic timing of the bunch.
- Jay Kelso (Mace Coronel): Yes, a Kelso. He’s Michael and Jackie’s son. Coronel has the hair, the look, and the "flirty but dim" vibe down to a science, but he’s slightly more sensitive than his dad was.
- Nikki (Sam Morelos): Nate’s girlfriend who is overachieving, ambitious, and surprisingly edgy when she wants to be.
The Legacy Returns: More Than Just Cameos
Let's be real. A lot of people tuned in specifically to see Topher Grace, Laura Prepon, Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis, and Wilmer Valderrama. And yeah, seeing them back in Point Place was a massive hit of serotonin. Seeing Jackie and Kelso still bickering while being wildly successful (and apparently on their third marriage to each other) was a highlight of the pilot.
But the real MVP of the That 90s Show cast is the returning duo of Kurtwood Smith and Debra Jo Rupp. Red and Kitty Forman are the glue.
Kurtwood Smith hasn’t missed a beat. Red is older, maybe a tiny bit softer in his old age, but he still threatens to put a foot in everyone’s ass with terrifying regularity. Debra Jo Rupp’s Kitty is still the heart of the house, though her laugh is a little more frantic now that she has a whole new generation of "dumbasses" to feed. Their performance provides the bridge between the two eras. Without them, the show would just feel like a generic teen sitcom. With them, it feels like home.
Why the 1995 Setting Changes the Dynamic
The 90s were a weird time. It was the last decade before the internet truly took over everything. You couldn't just text your friends to see where they were; you had to go to their house and knock on the door. Or, more likely, just walk into their basement.
The That 90s Show cast has to portray a world of physical connection. There are no iPhones to hide behind. They deal with video stores (remember Blockbuster?), flannel-heavy fashion, and the looming presence of "The Circle."
Speaking of the Circle—it’s back. And it’s still the best way the show handles the "activities" the kids get up to. The camera work, the hazy smoke, the wandering conversations about nothing—it all works because the actors lean into the absurdity of being a teenager with too much time on your hands. Mace Coronel and Callie Haverda especially shine in these scenes, capturing that specific brand of "deep" teenage philosophy that makes absolutely no sense when you’re sober.
The Evolution of the Characters in Part 2 and 3
As the show progressed into its second and third parts, the cast really started to find their footing. The first few episodes of any sitcom are usually a bit stiff as actors figure out their chemistry. By the time we hit the later episodes, the new kids aren't just shadows of the original cast anymore.
Leia’s struggle with being a "summer kid" is a great narrative engine. She knows her time in Point Place is finite, which adds a layer of stakes to her romances and friendships. When she has to leave, it actually hurts. That’s a testament to Haverda’s performance. She makes us care about a kid who is essentially a tourist in her own family history.
And we have to talk about Andrea Anders as Sherri Runck, Gwen and Nate’s mom. She’s the new "neighbor" dynamic, and her interactions with Red are gold. She’s messy, she’s dating weird guys, and she treats Red like a surrogate father figure, which he absolutely hates and secretly loves.
👉 See also: Jeff Goodrich Oh Lord My Redeemer: The Song That Almost Didn't Happen
What People Get Wrong About the New Cast
A common criticism early on was that the new kids were "too Disney." I get it. Some of the actors came from that background. But if you actually sit through the season, that goes away. The humor gets dirtier, the situations get more "70s Show" esque, and the kids start to feel like real people.
People also complain that nobody can replace the original six. And they're right! You can't replace the lightning-in-a-bottle chemistry of Kutcher, Kunis, and the rest. But That 90s Show cast isn't trying to replace them. They’re trying to show what it’s like to be the next generation in a small town where nothing ever changes, even when the music shifts from disco to grunge.
Critical Reception and the "Discover" Factor
Why did this show blow up on Google Discover? Because it hit the perfect intersection of Gen X/Millennial nostalgia and Gen Z curiosity. The 90s are "aesthetic" right now. Kids are wearing the clothes that Gwen wears in the show. They’re listening to the music.
The cast became a talking point because they didn't ruin the legacy. Usually, these reboots are universally hated. This one wasn't. It stayed true to the "hangout sitcom" roots. It’s not about a high-stakes plot. It’s about who is dating who, who got caught with a beer, and why Red is yelling.
Key Cast Members and Their Roles
| Actor | Character | Vibe |
|---|---|---|
| Callie Haverda | Leia Forman | The nerdy-cool lead trying to find herself. |
| Mace Coronel | Jay Kelso | Charming, slightly dim, very handsome. |
| Ashley Aufderheide | Gwen Runck | The rebellious heart of the group. |
| Reyn Doi | Ozzie | The sarcastic truth-teller. |
| Maxwell Acee Donovan | Nate Runck | The "golden retriever" jock. |
| Sam Morelos | Nikki | The smart girl with a hidden wild side. |
| Kurtwood Smith | Red Forman | The grumpy legend. |
| Debra Jo Rupp | Kitty Forman | The sweetest woman in Wisconsin. |
The Impact of Guest Stars
One of the smartest things the producers did was sprinkle in the old cast rather than dumping them all in the first episode. We got Leo (Tommy Chong) back, looking exactly the same as he did thirty years ago. We got Fez (Wilmer Valderrama) as a successful hair salon owner with the same ridiculous accent.
These cameos don't overshadow the new That 90s Show cast; they validate them. When Fez gives Jay Kelso advice, or when Donna talks to Leia about being a teenager in Point Place, it feels like a torch is being passed. It turns the show from a remake into a continuation.
The Verdict on the Point Place Newcomers
Is it as good as the original? That’s subjective. The original That '70s Show had eight seasons to build a legend. That '90s Show is still in its infancy. But the cast has the talent to carry it. They’ve managed to survive the "reboot curse" by being genuinely likable and leaning into the specific weirdness of the 1990s.
If you haven't watched it because you're afraid it'll ruin your childhood memories, honestly, give it a shot. It’s a comfortable watch. It’s like putting on an old flannel shirt that you forgot you had. It might be a little dusty, but it still fits.
How to Dive Deeper into Point Place
If you’re looking to get the most out of the series and understand the nuances of the new cast, here’s what you should actually do:
- Watch the "Originals" Episodes First: Before jumping into the new seasons, re-watch the pilot of That '70s Show and then the pilot of That '90s Show. The parallel shots and mirrored jokes are everywhere once you look for them.
- Follow the Cast on Socials: Unlike the 90s, these actors are online. Callie Haverda and Mace Coronel often share behind-the-scenes clips that show their actual chemistry is pretty close to what you see on screen.
- Look for the Easter Eggs: The show is packed with props from the original set. From the Vista Cruiser to specific items in the basement, the set design is a character in itself.
- Focus on the Soundtracks: The 90s was a peak era for music. Pay attention to the transitions; the show uses era-appropriate covers and deep cuts that tell you a lot about the characters' headspace.
The show isn't just a trip down memory lane. It’s a reminder that being a teenager is universal, no matter if you’re wearing bell-bottoms or baggy jeans. The basement is still the basement, and as long as there are "dumbasses" to fill it, Point Place will be just fine.