“I am back, baby.” When Fez said this on the show, who knew that That ’90s Show will also promise to be back so early? Set in 1995, the show revolves around the daughter of Eric and Donna who is visiting her grandparents for the summer. As the days of her staycation advance, she makes friends with the new kids who are living in Point Place, WI.
A Netflix Original sitcom and a sequel to the series That ’70s Show, the all-new That ’90s Show was directed by Gail Mancuso and written by creators Gregg Mettler, Bonnie Turner, Lindsey Turner, and Terry Turner. The show has been successful in begetting all the oldies with a giddy and nostalgic feeling, with anticipation reaching its peak. Thus, they cannot wait for more. But will there be more of this? As confirmed on February 3rd, there certainly will be more.
That being said, here’s everything we know so far about That ’90s Show season 2.
Has That ’90s Show been officially renewed for a second season?
On February 3, 2023, Netflix officially announced that the series is renewed for a second season. Not only that, but we have also got the confirmation that the season 2 order will reportedly consist of 16 new episodes. However, it’s quite ambiguous whether these will be split into subsequent parts or not. Making a statement about the renewal of the show, Bonnie and Terry Turner said, “We here in Point Place are thrilled that we’re doing a second season. We’d like to thank all of the fans old and new for tuning in. We’re truly grateful.” adding, “Going to Point Place last season was a real treat for all of us. We’re thrilled to return.”
Gregg Mettler, the co-creator/showrunner/executive producer, also expressed his excitement about the renewal of the season, saying, “All of us at That ‘90s Show were beyond excited by the warm, enthusiastic response to our first season. We can’t wait to return to Point Place for another summer of laughs and surprises. Hello, 1996!”
That '90s Show is returning for season 2! pic.twitter.com/6UtsNQwrGT
— Netflix (@netflix) February 3, 2023
What is the overall performance of That ’90s Show?
According to What’s on Netflix, “For a show like That ’90s Show with a shorter runtime, it’ll likely come down to how big of a drop the show sees with hours watched instead of raw numbers.” Summing up the weekly viewership hours for season 1 of That ’90s Show we infer that approximately 67.33 million hours were watched between January 15 and January 29.
Considering Netflix’s track record with comedy series and how it has been unable to put forth a strong case, we conclude that the bar for renewal could be lower. Not only that, but it is also important to consider how the show has been in the top 10s, which only a few Netflix comedies have been able to achieve. As per CVE, the show was launched with the same viewership as Resident Evil or The Imperfects.
However, this isn’t the best comparison since both of the shows belong to different genres and harness different budget categories. In addition to this, the raw top 10s suggest the areas where the show is performing and where it’s not. Currently, the show is performing exponentially in the United States and Canada. Not only that, but it is also gaining traction in several areas of Nordics, South Africa, and Australia.
What can we expect to happen in That ’90s Show Season 2?
*Spoiler alert*
If you have watched That ’90s Show, then you would probably be knowing that Leia and her parents are living in Chicago, so the drive from the city to Point Place takes a few hours. This alludes to the possibility that if Leia wants to spend any time at Point Place, she will have to wait for any significant occasion to pop up like Christmas, Spring Break, or Summer Vacation. In a conversation with Collider, Reyn Doi mentioned that he thinks the plan would be for the future seasons to schedule around each summer. He said, “I think their plan was to do it every season in the summer. I think they [The Turners] said that in the interview.”
In an interesting turn of events, Leia, before she left Point Place, she almost shared a kiss with Nate, who was Jay’s best friend and Nikki’s boyfriend. However, before anything could happen we find Gwen, Nate’s sister, walking in on the pair. And just like that, the situation between the duo who share the perfect chemistry onscreen has now officially turned awkward. Leia and Nate haven’t addressed the full implications of their feelings which will indubitably complicate the dynamics of the group, not to mention, the long distance that they would have to go through if they continue to talk with each other.
In an interview with Distractify, Callie Haverda, who is reprising the role of Leia expressed how her character will be more confident in season 2, saying:
“I think she’ll kind of move out of her comfort zone with the things that Gwen taught her and we’ll probably see her come back as a more confident person as more like, sure of herself. She’s probably done even more new experiences and met new people while she was gone. Yeah, I’m really excited to see what happens with her, when she comes back.”
Who are the expected cast members of That ’90s Show Season 2?
Although we don’t have the confirmed cast list for That ’90s Show owing to its fresh renewal status, we expect the following members to return for the second season:
- Callie Haverda as Leia
- Kurtwood Smith as Red
- Debra Jo Rupp as Kitty
- Mace Coronel as Jay
- Ashley Aufderheide as Gwen
- Sam Morelos as Nikki
- Reyn Doi as Ozzie
- Maxwell Acee Donovan as Nate
In addition to the above-mentioned list, we also expect to see more guest appearances from the previous cast members of That ’70s Show, including;
- Topher Grace as Eric
- Laura Prepon as Donna
- Ashton Kutcher as Kelso
- Mila Kunis as Jackie
- Wilmer Valderrama as Fez
What is the production status of That ‘90s Show Season 2?
Thanks to the universal TV grandpa, Red Forman, the filming month for That ‘90s Show Season 2 has been released: May 2023. On April 5, Kurtwood Smith tweeted that filming preparations are “almost ready” and he also shared a link for the devoted fans to join the live audience.
We are almost ready…just missing one thing…you! Click link in bio for season 2 audience dates. I’ll be happy to see you…can’t guarantee how Red will receive you. #That90sShow @netflix pic.twitter.com/dnEgOi2BHy
— Kurtwood Smith (@tahitismith) April 6, 2023
According to 1iota, the filming dates for That ‘90s Show season 2 reportedly begin in May 2023 and end in September 2023. Considering the six-month filming duration of the first season, the five-month duration adopted by the second season seems feasible.
The filming dates for 16 episodes for season 2 are as follows (via Netflix Life):
- Episode One: May 5
- Episode Two: May 12
- Episode Three: May 26
- Episode Four: June 2
- Episode Five: June 9
- Episode Six: June 23
- Episode Seven: June 30
- Episode Eight: July 14
- Episode Nine: July 21
- Episode Ten: July 28
- Episode Eleven: Aug. 18
- Episode Twelve: Aug. 25
- Episode Thirteen: Sept. 1
- Episode Fourteen: Sept. 15
- Episode Fifteen: Sept. 22
- Episode Sixteen: Sept. 29.
What is the release date of That ‘90s Show season 2?
Considering the filming for second season is all set to begin in May, besides the relatively early renewal of the same by the streaming giant, we contend that the fans will possibly be able to stream the second season of That ‘90s Show on Netflix earlier than expected.
Additionally, the sitcom being a multi-cam, episodes don’t take very long to produce. Let’s not forget the characteristic tendency of Netflix to sustain the momentum and buzz of the first season and it will only be able to do so by reducing the gap between seasons.
Since the new season is getting a 16-episode order, eight episodes can potentially release by the end of 2023, and another batch in 2024. Considering that the second season will be done filming in five months and let’s take six months for post-production, we can assume that That ‘90s Show season 2 will potentially release on Netflix in March-April 2024, if the show is releasing in one-go.
However, if the season is split into two parts, the fans can expect to stream the first part in January or February 2024.
Are you excited to watch the second season of That ’90s Show? Drop your opinions in the comment section given below!
Don’t forget to stay tuned to Web News Observer, for more release date updates on That ’90s Show Season 2!