Two original That ‘70s Show actors have confirmed that they won’t be back in That ‘90s Show season 2, but a surprise cameo could be the perfect replacement for their roles. Netflix’s sequel series, That ‘90s Show, has found a great balance between cameos from That ‘70s Show actors and celebrities most famous for their work in the 1990s. While fans of the original may be more eager about the former appearances, That ‘90s Show season 2 has already confirmed plenty of exciting cameos from ‘90s-era celebrities, suggesting more surprises are still in store for role reprisals from the original sitcom.

The official trailer for That ‘90s Show season 2 revealed a few exciting cameos from ‘90s stars like Carmen Electra, Kevin Smith, Jason Mewes, Lisa Loeb, and Kadeem Hardison. Additionally, the footage confirmed that original That ‘70s Show characters Bob Pinciotti (Don Stark), Donna Pinciotti (Laura Prepon), Leo (Tommy Chong), and Mitch Miller (Seth Green) will all return in the upcoming episodes. Of course, the question remains about which other original That ‘70s Show characters could make surprise appearances in the Netflix sitcom, especially now that Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher won’t be reprising their roles as Jackie Burkhart and Michael Kelso in season 2.

Brooke Shields’ Pam Burkhart Could Perfectly Replace Jackie & Kelso For Jay’s That ’90s Show Family Representation

Jay Kelso’s family can be represented by Jackie’s mother

Mila Kunis confirmed that she and Ashton Kutcher won’t appear in That ‘90s Show season 2 as Jackie and Kelso, which is more surprising after the reveal that they’re the parents of new character Jay Kelso. While most of the That ‘70s Show teens’ parents were missing from the original sitcom other than the Formans and Pinciottis, the Kelsos have higher expectations for representation in That ‘90s Show over the other teens’ parents due to their presence in the original series. Without Jackie and Kelso returning in That ‘90s Show season 2, the sitcom has a missed opportunity to further explore the multigenerational representation of the Kelsos with Jay.

However, there is a possible solution for That ‘90s Show season 2 to replace Jackie and Kelso as the parental representative of Jay’s family. In That ‘70s Show, Michael Kelso’s father appeared in only one episode while his mother was entirely absent, with the only recurring character from his family being his older brother Casey Kelso. Meanwhile, Jackie’s father only made a few appearances early into the series, whereas Jackie’s mother Pam made a season 1 appearance before being recast, at which point she became a significant character. When Pam Burkhart returned in That ‘70s Show season 6, she was played by famous actress Brooke Shields, which finally allowed the sitcom to further explore Jackie’s familial dynamics.

Jackie and Kelso may not be back to interact with Jay in That ‘90s Show season 2, but it’s possible that Brooke Shields’ Pam could fill this familial role. Pam Burkhart is the only major member of Jackie and Kelso’s families other than Luke Wilson’s Casey Kelso to play a recurring role on That ‘70s Show, and her return to the sitcom’s story could have a relatively simple justification. In order to explain why Jackie and Kelso are missing, That ‘90s Show season 2 could have the couple travel for a few weeks over the summer of 1996, leaving Jay in the care of his grandmother, Pam.

Brooke Shields Returning As Pam Would Fit Better With That ’90s Show Season 2’s OG Character Cameos

That ’90s Show has a greater focus on the teens’ grandparents

While there’s been no indication by Shields that she could make a return as Pam in That ‘90s Show, the actress’ cameo would fit well with the other That ‘70s Show characters who have made multiple appearances. With Leia spending the summers with Red and Kitty, That ‘90s Show has placed a greater emphasis on the teens’ grandparents. Furthermore, Leia’s grandfather Bob Pinciotti also made an appearance in That ‘90s Show season 1, and Don Stark is set to reprise his role yet again in season 2.

Pam is the only other plausible recurring figure from That ‘70s Show who has a grandchild in the main group of That ‘90s Show’s teen characters, so her appearance in the sequel series would make sense as she connects with Jay. Additionally, Bob’s confirmed return in That ‘90s Show season 2 could set up a comical storyline with Pam, as the two previously dated in That ‘70s Show. While the romance didn’t end well in the original series, their reunion in Point Place could provide some entertaining scenes as Leia’s grandfather and Jay’s grandmother open old wounds.

Netflix’s Recent Rom-Com Hits Make A Brooke Shields That ’90s Show Cameo More Likely

Brooke Shields already has a successful history with Netflix

The potential for Brooke Shields to make a cameo in That ‘90s Show season 2 becomes more likely after the success of her two recent Netflix romantic comedy movies. Shields starred in the 2021 movie A Castle for Christmas and the more recent 2024 film Mother of the Bride, both of which proved popular regarding viewership numbers on Netflix. With Netflix often working with the studio’s lead actors again on various projects, the fact that it also produces That ‘90s Show makes it seem more plausible that Shields could be recruited for another collaboration on the sitcom.