That '90s Show Season 2 Finally Has A Release Window

Back in the 1990s, most TV shows weren’t serialized stories. Broadcast networks were still king, and syndication was the goal of every program; non-sequential story-telling was the standard sitcom structure. Though That ‘90s Show appears to mimic the That ‘70s Show sitcom style, Season 1 has a pretty strong arc with a definitive ending. However, there are plenty of loose ends for That ‘90s Show Season 2 to pick back up, and Netflix is totally letting it happen.

Warning: Spoilers for That ‘90s Show Season 1 follow. Set over the summer of 1995, the first season of That ‘90s Show covered several significant firsts of Leia Forman’s life. While spending the summer in Wisconsin with her grandparents, she experienced everything from her first kiss to her first boyfriend to her first breakup. She also discovered getting high and drinking beer. She was even given her first car.

But the finale episode of Season 1 added an extra first Leia never saw coming: Her first time having feelings for someone else’s boyfriend. After Jay Kelso broke up with her before she left, she and Jay’s BFF Nate (Gwen’s brother, who’s been dating Nikki for months) found themselves in a heated moment. Gwen (smartly) told Leia to let it go; after all, she was returning to Chicago. But with Jay hoping she’ll return next summer so they can get back together and her grandparents eager to host her again, Season 2 could bring a lot of drama.

Here’s what is known so far about the show’s rad renewal.

It Was Picked Up Sooner Than Expected

Netflix typically waits for its series to stream for about a month before deciding whether it will be renewed. That ‘90s Show’s premiere date was Thursday, Jan. 19, so fans weren’t really expecting to hear whether Season 2 was confirmed or not until mid to late February 2023.

However, Netflix gave fans a pleasant surprise by announcing Season 2 earlier than usual, on Feb. 3. “All of us at That ‘90s Show were beyond excited by the warm, enthusiastic response to our first season,” the show’s co-creator, executive producer, and showrunner Gregg Mettler said in a statement about the renewal. “We can’t wait to return to Point Place for another summer of laughs and surprises. Hello 1996!”

Expect Lots Of That ‘70s Show Cameos

With That ‘90s Show’s renewal, at least a few characters are def expected to be back. Callie Haverda will need to return as Leia Forman, as will Kurtwood Smith and Debra Jo Rupp as her grandparents, Red and Kitty Forman. It would also be nice if Laura Prepon and Topher Grace made more guest appearances as Callie’s parents, Donna and Eric, though it’s probably not strictly necessary.

Fans would also want Leia’s basement gang to return. That includes Ashley Aufderheide as Leia’s BFF, Gwen Runck, Maxwell Acee Donovan as her brother Nate, Sam Morelos as Nate’s girlfriend Nikki, Mace Coronel as Nate’s BFF Jay, and Reyn Doi as the indispensable Ozzie.

Others who could be back include Andrea Anders as Nate and Gwen’s mom, Sherri, and Wilmer Valderrama as her boyfriend, Fez. Also, Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis could make cameos again as Jay’s parents, Michael and Jackie. Tommy Chong could come back as the stoner-next-door Leo, Don Stark as Leia’s other grandparent, Bob, and Jim Rash as the Runck’s landlord, Fenton.

It’ll Be A Trip Back To 1996

With Leia coming to visit as a summer activity, a second season would likely bring her back again as the school year lets out toward the end of June 1996. There’s a lot that the show could do with that beyond the brewing drama between Leia, Jay, Nate, and Nikki. The big Independence Day blockbuster came out in the summer of 1996, and the Macarena hit No. 1 that summer; and Beanie Babies and Tickle Me Elmo swept the nation.

A Release Window Has Been Confirmed

The new season doesn’t have an exact release date yet, but Netflix has confirmed it will begin streaming sometime in the summer of 2024.