All eyes are again on the solid of That ‘70s Present — and Danny Masterson — as Netflix launched the sequel collection, That ‘90s Present, that includes appearances by Laura Prepon, Topher Grace, Mila Kunis, Ashton Kutcher and Wilmer Valderrama.
Masterson, who performed Steven Hyde on the comedy collection, which ran on Fox from 1998 to 2006, wasn’t requested again for the brand new present as he faces a second trial for sexual assault allegations.
The actor made headlines in March 2017 when 4 ladies alleged Masterson had sexually assaulted them on separate events within the early 2000s. A fifth lady subsequently got here ahead.
“From day one, I’ve denied the outrageous allegations towards me. Legislation enforcement investigated these claims greater than 15 years in the past and decided them to be with out benefit,” he mentioned in an announcement on the time. “I’ve by no means been charged with against the law, not to mention convicted of 1. On this nation, you might be presumed harmless till confirmed responsible. Nevertheless, within the present local weather, it appears as if you’re presumed responsible the second you might be accused.”
In June 2020, Masterson was charged with three counts of forcible rape, with Los Angeles County District Lawyer explaining on the time that two of the ladies’s instances had inadequate proof and statutes of limitations. He subsequently pleaded not responsible.
A trial started in October 2022. The next month, information broke {that a} choose declared a mistrial because the jury was unable to return to a unanimous vote. Whereas Masterson’s staff requested to dismiss the case in January 2023, a choose rejected the proposal and a date of March 29, 2023, was set for jury choice for a second trial.
“It seems there are numerous different witnesses the Individuals might select to name or completely different arguments the Individuals might select to make,” Decide Charlaine Olmedo mentioned on the time. “A unique consequence at a retrial is no less than a chance.”
In Could 2023, Masterson was convicted on two counts of forcible rape following his second trial on expenses stemming from the early 2000s. Jurors discovered Masterson responsible of raping two ladies in 2003, and had been deadlocked on a verdict for a November 2001 allegation involving an ex-girlfriend. He’s going through 30 years to life for the 2 expenses.
Masterson’s profession got here to a halt amid the accusations, with Netflix chopping ties with the actor amid manufacturing on season 3 of The Ranch — a present he appeared in alongside Kutcher — in December 2017. Grace, in the meantime, was the primary solid member to deal with the scandal.
“You realize, I hesitate to say that I by no means noticed any of that conduct as a result of I really feel prefer it seems like I’m defending him, however the fact is I by no means noticed any of that stuff,” the actor who performed Eric Forman informed The Hollywood Reporter in Could 2018. “I used to be, of that solid, probably the most boring. So when it got here to going out after the present and partying, I simply was boring.”
When That ‘90s Present premiered in January 2023, Masterson’s Hyde was not talked about and excluded from a flashback scene pulled from the OG present. He was, nevertheless, supportive of the collection when it was initially introduced in 2021.
“That is actually the dopest factor I’ve heard in a decade,” he wrote through Instagram earlier than praising Kurtwood Smith and Debra Jo Rupp, who returned as Pink and Kitty, respectively, to be full-time solid members. “So f—king excited for @therealkurtwoodsmith and @debrajorupp two of the nice people and best actors on this planet. Can’t wait to look at and chuckle. Similar creators / writers / producers as 70s.”
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