‘That ’90s Show’ canceled by Netflix, says star Kurtwood Smith

It’s the end of an era for “That ’90s Show” on Netflix.

The spinoff of popular early aughts TV sitcom “That ’70s Show,” which catapulted Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis as well as Topher Grace and Laura Prepon into stardom, has been canceled by the streaming service, according to its star Kurtwood Smith.

Smith announced the news in a heartfelt Instagram caption on Thursday night, writing that the show’s fans “have been asking” him about Season 3 of the series, telling followers he had “tough news…Netflix will not be renewing.” But Smith surprised fans by announcing they “will shop the show, because good grandparents would try hard to get these kids graduated from high school.”

“I’ve loved every minute of getting to bring Grandpa Red to life for you all. I’ve said it before but it’s worth mentioning again…this show had so much heart behind it and the most wonderful cast, writers, directors, producers and crew an actor could hope to work with,” he wrote in the caption.

The original show followed Eric Forman (Grace), Michael Kelso (Kutcher), Donna Pinciotti (Prepon), Fez (Valderrama), Jackie Burkhart (Kunis) and Steven Hyde (Danny Masterson).

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USA TODAY has reached out to reps for Netflix for comment.

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Smith reprised his role as Red in the Netflix series after originally appearing on “That ’70s Show.”

Like “’70s,” “’90s” is about a group of teenagers in Wisconsin and their antics while their parents aren’t around. Only this time, the group includes Leia (Callie Haverda), the daughter of Donna and Eric, and Jay (Mace Coronel), the son of Michael and Jackie. The show started off in the basement of Eric’s childhood home, where his parents Kitty and Red (Debra Jo Rupp and Smith, the only returning regular cast members) still live. The sequel series received mixed reviews from critics.

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The first season kicked off with a slew of cameos from “That ’70s” stars, including Kutcher, Kunis, Grace, Prepon and Valderrama. However, the sixth original cast member, Masterson, was not involved in the program after “The Ranch” star was charged with and later convicted of rape.

Contributing: Kelly Lawler