That ’90s Show Season 2’s Missing Original Actors Makes Complaints About 1 Character’s Return After 19 Years Worse

A recent update on the returns of two original That ‘70s Show actors in That ‘90s Show season 2 means complaints about one 19-year-old storyline are bound to worsen. Arriving over a year after the series premiere, That ‘90s Show season 2 is hitting Netflix in summer 2024, and while story details are still largely under wraps, there have been some updates on which characters will return to Point Place for the summer of ‘96. Unfortunately, two of That ‘70s Show’s main characters who had cameos in That ‘90s Show season 1 won’t be back for the sophomore outing, which complicates a sequel series mystery.

Though the pair made brief appearances in That ‘90s Show season 1 to confirm their roles as new character Jay Kelso’s parents, Mila Kunis (Jackie Burkhart) and Michael Kelso (Ashton Kutcher) won’t return for season 2. While Jackie and Kelso are confirmed to be absent, the status of the other members of the original gang who appeared in season 1 is still unclear, including Eric (Topher Grace), Donna (Laura Prepon), and Fez (Wilmer Valderrama). Other than Kitty and Red, the only confirmed returning That ‘70s Show character is Eric’s rival Mitch (Seth Green), which doesn’t bode well for That ‘90s Show season 2 bringing back one mysterious family member.

Kelso & Jackie’s Absences Suggest That ’90s Show Season 2 Won’t Bring Back Jay’s Older Sister Betsy

Kelso’s oldest child isn’t likely to return in That ’90s Show season 2

One of the biggest unanswered questions after That ‘90s Show season 1 had to do with the Kelso family, as the sequel sitcom opted to make one member of the new generation a main character. While That ‘90s Show season 1 saw several inconsistencies with the last few seasons of That ‘70s Show, especially related to the teens’ ages, there were some other canon omissions from the original series that were quite shocking. Among the biggest mysteries was what happened to That ‘70s Show’s Betsy Kelso, Michael Kelso’s daughter who was born at the beginning of season 7 and last seen in a 2005 episode.

With Jay Kelso being Michael’s child and one of That ‘90s Show’s main characters, it was curious why his sister Betsy was ignored entirely. While not all siblings are close, especially if they presumably live in other cities, it’s odd given the fact that within That ‘70s Show canon, Betsy is only about a year older than Jay. Kelso’s daughter was born in 1979, and with Jay being about 15 years old in That ‘90s Show season 1, he had to have been born in 1980. Even though Betsy’s half-brother and father appear in That ‘90s Show season 1 (her mother, Brooke, moved to Chicago in That ‘70s Show season 7), the character isn’t mentioned once.

Betsy Kelso also being around the same age as Jay, Leia, and the rest of Point Place’s new generation of teens made it seem likely that the character would finally appear in That ‘90s Show season 2. She hadn’t been seen since she was a baby, so it would be exciting to see a teenage Betsy discover Point Place alongside the original teens’ other children. However, with Jackie and Kelso being absent from That ‘90s Show season 2, it seems unlikely that Betsy will finally be introduced in Netflix’s sequel show, as there presumably won’t be much focus on Jay’s family.

That ’90s Show Season 2 Ignoring Betsy Makes Even Less Sense After 1 Big Forman Family Change

Betsy & the Formans are seemingly still living in the same city

While That ‘90s Show ignoring Betsy Kelso could be excused by the idea that she lives in Chicago while the story is set in Point Place, this doesn’t work as well given the fact that Eric, Donna, and Leia also moved to Chicago. After Leia dated Jay Kelso in That ‘90s Show season 1, it seems likely that Eric and Donna would have reconnected with Jackie and Kelso. If so, the Formans and Kelsos could have potentially even met up with Betsy and Brooke in Chicago if she’s still in contact with that side of her family.

How Betsy Kelso Could Still Return In That ’90s Show Season 2

Betsy could still come to Point Place over the summer

Though the likelihood of Betsy appearing in That ‘90s Show season 2 went way down after the news of Jackie and Kelso’s absences, she could still potentially return for the sequel series. One way could be for Betsy to come visit Jay and their parents for the Fourth of July, which could still be accomplished without actually having Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis appear on-screen. This could parallel Casey Kelso being introduced in That ‘70s Show season 4, as Michael Kelso’s older brother finally appeared in the sitcom without also having to introduce their parents.

There could also potentially be an episode in which the characters leave Point Place and travel to Chicago. So far, That ‘90s Show’s story has stayed in Point Place, but That ‘70s Show would often see the characters take road trips around Wisconsin and even to Chicago. Consequently, if That ‘90s Show season 2 or 3 were to see the teens take a road trip to Chicago one weekend, they could potentially reunite with Betsy Kelso for the day.