Danny Masterson was convicted on two counts of forcible rape back in 2023, and he was ultimately sentenced to 30 years in prison. At present, the former actor is serving time at California Men’s Colony in San Luis Obispo. However, the That ‘70s Show alum is now looking to have that conviction overturned, per a recent legal filing. In those legal documents, Masterson not only blames his former lawyer for the verdict he received but also calls out Leah Remini and others.

This 183-page petition for habeas corpus was filed on Monday, November 17 and, in it, 49-year-old Danny Masterson along with his new lawyer, Eric S. Multhaup called out former Church of Scientology member Leah Remini due to her connection with the case. According to Deadline, Masterson – who was a member of the church – accused Remini of stoking up the police investigation. The King of Queens alum also attended Masterson’s trial but, contrary to speculation, she did not end up testifying.

An opponent of the aforementioned religion in recent years, Remini also produced the acclaimed series Scientology and the Aftermath series, which is mentioned in the filing. Her supposed connection to Masterson’s legal fate is laid out as follows in the petition:

Within the filing, Danny Masterson’s former attorney, Philip K Cohen, is criticized for the approach he took amid the trials. Masterson takes issue with Cohen, in part for “resting without presenting defense evidence” in initial rape trial and the one that preceded it (which was brought about when a deadlocked jury led to a mistrial). With that, Masterson’s filing also reads:

Per Masterson’s filing, he’s also of the belief that he “would have very likely obtained an acquittal but for counsel’s failure to exercise due diligence and make an informed decision whether to present an affirmative defense.” Cohen isn’t the only legal official to be named in this filing either, as Judge Charlaine Olmedo was named as well. During the first trial, Judge Olmedo notably criticized the opening remarks relating to Scientology, and she’s now been accused of displaying bias amid the proceedings.

The former Ranch star also took issue with the way in which the Church of Scientology as a whole played into his case. In his petition, it’s alleged that the church was portrayed “as a villainous force that had discouraged the complaining witnesses from reporting their allegations of rape to the police.” Before being charged with rape in 2020, Masterson was accused of sexual assault by multiple women, who claimed the assaults took place between 2001 and 2003. The two women he was convicted of raping were members of the church when the incidents reportedly took place.

Danny Masterson was moved to Men’s Colony in 2024, with reports initially indicating that the move was initiated for his well-being. However, it was later reported that he was lawfully meant to be there in the first place. That location is where he’ll remain amid his attempt to have his conviction overturned.

Danny Masterson has been in prison since December 2023, serving the first of a 30-year sentence after being convicted of two counts of rape. However, his fight hasn’t ended, as his legal team continues to try to clear the That ‘70s Show star’s name after multiple sexual assault accusations. Alleging that his 2023 trial was “rife with erroneous judicial rulings,” Masterson’s lawyer has filed to appeal the convictions.

On December 18, Danny Masterson’s lawyer Cliff Gardner shared a 246-page opening brief, US Weekly reports, that cites a number of errors that may have violated Masterson’s “rights to confrontation and a fair trial.” The appeal is reportedly based on “two fundamental flaws” in the actor’s convictions. According to the documents:

The defense’s complaints about Danny Masterson’s trial began immediately after his conviction in September 2023, as his attorney said at the time that some of “the top appellate lawyers in the country” had already “identified a number of significant evidentiary and constitutional issues.”

Cliff Gardner echoed those sentiments and continued to show confidence in getting the convictions overturned. The lawyer stated:

The actor, whose career effectively ended when he was fired from The Ranch in 2017 following the rape accusations, was sentenced to 30 years in prison and is not eligible for parole until June 2042, when the actor — who turned 48 in prison this year — will be 66 years old.

The sentencing came after a yearslong investigation into allegations from five women that Danny Masterson assaulted them in the early 2000s. The actor has maintained his innocence, and his That ‘70s Show co-stars Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis have faced backlash for writing character letters in support of Masterson ahead of his sentencing.

The Men at Work actor was first brought to trial in October 2022. Proceedings lasted nearly a month before jury deliberations began, but that ended in a mistrial when two jurors tested positive for COVID and the pool members remained deadlocked. The second trial began in April 2023 and featured harrowing testimony from Danny Masterson’s accusers.

In January 2024, a judge denied a request to release the actor on bond as his legal team worked on his appeal. She said that with “no wife to go home to” after Bijou Phillips filed for divorce, coupled with the length of his sentence, Danny Masterson had “every incentive to flee and little reason to return to state prison to serve out the remainder of his lengthy sentence should his appeal be unsuccessful.” Now that paperwork has been filed, we’ll have to see if the defense’s findings change the trial’s outcome in any way.

The notion of a TV show going through cast changes for one reason or another isn’t all that unusual. In some cases, an actor might choose to leave a show in order to pursue other opportunities. And, at other times, a character naturally runs their course and is written out, leading to a star being ushered out of a production gracefully. However, there have been a number of instances in which an actor has dramatically exited a popular show for more salacious reasons. And we’re going to talk about a number of those situations.

Mackenzie Phillips (One Day At A Time)

Mackenzie Phillips dealt with substance and alcohol abuse during her tenure on One Day at a Time. As her problems increased and she allegedly became erratic on set, the actress was fired after the fifth season of the Norman Lear-produced sitcom. After voluntarily receiving treatment, Philips was invited back to the series at the start of Season 7. But, as mentioned in her Biography special she was fired one more time early in Season 9.

Delta Burke (Designing Women)

Designing Women cast member Delta Burke, who played breakout character Suzanne Sugarbaker, left the beloved CBS comedy after its fifth season. At the time, Burke was having issues with series creator Linda Bloodworth-Thomason. While appearing on the Glamorous Trash podcast years later, Burke said she and the EP “tried to kill each other” but “survived.” They eventually patched things up and teamed up again for a short-lived spinoff series, Women of the House.

John Amos (Good Times) 

Fans, like myself, would probably argue that Good Times – one of the greatest sitcoms of all time – changed tremendously after John Amos’ James Evans Sr. was written out following Season 3. That creative decision was the result of Amos being incredibly vocal about his frustrations with the direction of the show and even threatening the writers. As the actor explained during an interview, series EP Norman Lear called him up personally to tell him he’d been fired. 

Rob Lowe (The West Wing)

Before he dazzled on Parks and Recreation and after rising to prominence as a “Brat Pack” member, Rob Lowe starred on The West Wing. The show was originally set to center around his character, Sam Seaborn, though the focus shifted early on. Feeling underutilized as time went on, Lowe left the show after four seasons.

Roseanne Barr (Roseanne)

Roseanne Barr’s eponymous ABC sitcom was revived for a tenth season that aired in 2018, and it saw considerable success. Following its renewal, Barr was fired after posting a tweet about former government official Valerie Janet that was condemned as being racist. Her dismissal led to the cancellation of Roseanne and the conception of a spinoff sequel series The Conners.

Janet Hubert (The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air)

Two actresses portrayed Vivian “Aunt Viv” Banks on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, the first being Janet Hubert. By the NBC sitcom’s third season, she and lead actor Will Smith began to butt heads. Both were also dealing with situations in their personal lives. Ultimately, Hubert left Fresh Prince due to getting an unsatisfactory new contract offer and, years later, she and Smith made amends during the show’s 2020 reunion.

Kevin Spacey (House Of Cards)

House of Cards experienced a significant shake-up after Kevin Spacey was accused of being inappropriate towards actor Anthony Rapp while he was still a minor. Netflix eventually cut ties with Spacey and, as a result, he was replaced as the lead of the show by co-star Robin Wright.

Charlie Sheen (Two And A Half Men)

When it comes to an exit from a TV series, few get more dramatic than Charlie Sheen’s departure from Two and a Half Men. During the eighth season of the hit CBS show, he made headlines for partaking in wild parties and even entered rehab. Sheen’s fate was sealed, however, when he made disparaging remarks about series co-creator Chuck Lorre. Men would continue for four more seasons, with Ashton Kutcher taking over as co-lead.

Katherine Heigl (Grey’s Anatomy) 

There are a lot of moving parts to Katherine Heigl’s Grey’s Anatomy exit, but it was truly set in motion after the actress kept her name from Emmy consideration in 2008. Heigl did that because she didn’t think the work she’d done for that particular season was Emmy-worthy. In 2009, the Izzie Stevens actress accused series creator Shonda Rhimes and the producers of initiating long work hours for the cast and crew. And, in 2010, amid Season 6 of the drama series, Rhimes released Heigl from her contract early.

Valerie Harper (Valerie/Valerie’s Family/The Hogan Family)

Amid the second season of Valerie, lead actress Valerie Harper became engaged in a salary dispute with both NBC and production company Lorimar. It was after that season that the Emmy winner was fired, and she ultimately sued both of the aforementioned companies for breach of contract. The series aired for four more seasons – and had two more names. But, ultimately, Harper won her case and was awarded $1.4 million and future show profits.

Robert Downey Jr. (Ally McBeal)

Robert Downey Jr. had experienced a number of personal issues by the time he was cast for Season 4 of Ally McBeal, and they continued throughout his tenure. During that season, he was arrested in November 2000 for drug possession and was taken into custody again under suspicion of being under the influence in Culver City in 2001. With that, Downey was fired from McBeal.

Jeffrey Tambor (Transparent)

In 2017, amid the MeToo Movement, Jeffrey Tambor was accused of inappropriate behavior by his former assistant. Shortly after, one of Tambor’s Transparent co-stars accused him of misconduct as well. Amazon, which had renewed the Emmy-winning dramedy for a fifth and final season, officially fired Tambor in early 2018. His character, who was the lead, was ultimately killed off in the musical series finale special.

Esther Rolle (Good Times)

Esther Rolle took issue with some of the creative decisions made on Good Times, not unlike her co-star, John Amos – who was fired after Season 3 even though Rolle was more publicly vocal about her disdain. Given her discomfort, Rolle left after the fourth season when her contract expired. She did, however, return as a main cast member for the sixth and final season. 

Suzanne Somers (Three’s Company)

Some TV devotees may not be aware that Suzanne Somers exited Three’s Company after five seasons due to a salary dispute with ABC’s execs. Her attempts to renegotiate a new deal proved to be unsuccessful, and her contract was not renewed. Throughout the remainder of the show's run, Somers' Chrissy Snow would be succeeded by two other characters.

Chad Michael Murray (One Tree Hill)

Many were likely surprised when Chad Michael Murray was one of two major stars to exit One Tree Hill ahead of its seventh season. At this point, there’s been no clear reason as to why Murray, who played Lucas Scott parted ways with the show. Some contend that he was ready to leave, but Murray was even recorded saying that the network wanted to drop him to save money.

Lori Loughlin (Fuller House)

Veteran actress Lori Loughlin was starring on Netflix’s Fuller House when she was indicted as part of the 2019 college admissions scandal. In 2020, Loughlin pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud and was sentenced to two months in prison. Given her legal woes, Loughlin’s Aunt Becky was excluded from the sitcom’s final season.

Isaiah Washington (Grey’s Anatomy)

It was in October 2006 that Isaiah Washington made headlines after it was reported that during an on-set conflict with Patrick Dempsey, he insulted their fellow Grey’s Anatomy co-star, T.R. Knight, with a homophobic slur. Washington reportedly issued an apology though, by the summer of 2007, his contract with ABC was eliminated after Season 3. Washington did, however, reprise the role for a Season 10 episode.

Thomas Gibson (Criminal Minds)

Criminal Minds fired Thomas Gibson amid production on Season 12. As has been reported, Gibson, who was directing an episode at the time, had a disagreement with the episode’s writer. The scribe was on set at the time and, during an encounter with Gibson, the actor apparently kicked him. Gibson subsequently expressed regret over his actions.

Shannen Doherty (Charmed)

Few TV deaths were more tragic than that of Shannen Doherty’s Prue Halliwell during Charmed’s third season finale. In the years since she departed the show, Doherty has claimed that her on-set tension with co-star Alyssa Milano caused her to be let go. For her part, Milano said she was “sad” that Doherty blamed her for how everything panned out.

Danny Masterson (The Ranch)

While starring on Netflix’s The Ranch, Danny Masterson was investigated by police due to allegations of assault by multiple women. Masterson was soon fired from the series amid production on Season 3 and, in 2023, he was sentenced to prison.

Ruby Rose (Batwoman)

After leading Batwoman for just one season, Ruby Rose exited the Arrowverse show in 2020. The actress initially attributed her decision to the “taxing” nature of heading up a TV show as well as an allergic reaction to the latex in her costume. However, Rose later made claims of an abusive workplace against her ex-co-stars, The CW and more. Warner Bros. TV denied the allegations as did Rose’s former scene partners.

Cindy Williams (Laverne & Shirley)

Laverne & Shirley lost co-lead Cindy Williams early into the show’s eighth and final season. Williams became pregnant early into production and, as she explained to Today, she wouldn’t sign a new contract due to the producers having her work on her due date. So Penny Marshall’s Laverne DeFazio finished out those last episodes without Williams’ Shirley Feeney.

Chevy Chase (Community)

It’s been well documented that Community’s Chevy Chase had creative differences with series creator Dan Harmon over his character, Pierce Hawthorne. While working on Season 4, the veteran funnyman reportedly had an on-set tirade during which he dropped the N-word. Chase departed the show shortly after that.

Daniel Dae Kim (Hawaii Five-0)

Daniel Dae Kim’s exit from CBS’ Hawaii Five-0 reboot after seven seasons came down to a salary dispute with the network. After the news of his departure was reported, Kim himself (who was one of the procedural’s most recognizable stars) addressed the situation, confirming that he and the network couldn’t agree to terms on a new deal.

Lisa Bonet (A Different World)

Cosby Show spinoff A Different World finished its first season on NBC in early 1988 and, afterward, lead actress Lisa Bonet announced her pregnancy with then-husband Lenny Kravitz. The sitcom’s incoming showrunner, Debbie Allen, wanted to keep Bonet on the show and depict her character, Denise Huxtable, as a single mom. But, as Allen explained years later, series creator Bill Cosby preferred that Bonet be dropped from the show.

Columbus Short (Scandal)

After three seasons on ABC’s Scandal, Columbus Short was removed from the cast of the hit drama series. It was during that time that the actor was dealing with personal issues and was even arrested on a domestic violence charge. Short later explained that he was cut due to his struggles with drugs and alcohol.

Gina Carano (The Mandalorian)

MMA fighter-turned-actress Gina Carano established a polarizing social media presence during her two-season stint on The Mandalorian. Among the controversial posts she shared was a message that seemingly compared being a modern-day conservative to being a Jewish person during the Holocaust. Disney and Lucasfilm fired Carano in 2021 ahead of the highly popular Star Wars show’s third season.

Nicollette Sheridan (Desperate Housewives)

Desperate Housewives star Nicollette Sheridan was written out of the show after the show’s fifth season, with her character, Edie Britt, being killed off. Several years later, the actress filed suit against Marc Cherry, the show’s creator and ABC. Sheridan alleged that Cherry assaulted her on the set and that she was fired for reporting it. Cherry provided an account of events and, in time, the harassment claims were thrown and Sheridan was unsuccessful in getting a retrial.

T.R. Knight (Grey’s Anatomy)

In 2009, T.R. Knight – who played Dr. George O’Malley on Grey’s Anatomy – left the show after the fifth season. Knight said his reason for leaving was due to a “breakdown of communication” with series EP Shonda Rhimes, his own decision to come out as gay and more. This also all came a few years after Knight was allegedly insulted with a homophobic slur by ex-co-star Isaiah Washington. 

Hilarie Burton (One Tree Hill)

Much has been said about Hilarie Burton’s exit from One Tree Hill after the sixth season. The most common assertion has been that the Peyton Sawyer actress couldn’t agree with the network on a new deal. Interestingly, while Burton recalled filming her final scene for the show, she noted that while shooting another sequence, a producer announced on set that the show was renewed for Season 7. However, both Burton and co-star Chad Michael Muray were surprised as they apparently hadn’t been offered new deals.

Justin Roiland (Rick And Morty)

Rick and Morty actor and co-creator Justin Roiland was fired from the Adult Swim show in 2023 after it was revealed that he was facing a domestic violence charge and other offenses in court. Roiland’s case was eventually thrown out later that year. However, the animator and voice actor was later accused of assault and messaging underage girls.

John Rhys-Davies (Sliders)

The sci-fi cult classic Sliders lost cast member John Rhys-Davies when the actor opted to depart after three seasons amid other cast changes. Sometime later, Rhys-Davies explained that he left due to conflicts with the writers. The veteran actor later explained that by the time he left the show, the scripts had become “incomprehensible gibberish.”

Here’s some simple TV math: the longer a series airs, the less likely its original cast will remain intact, regardless of how beloved the show or actor is. The majority of popular series over the years have gone through at least one major exit, and it’s bad enough when changes are revealed early, and characters’ last episodes are planned out and logical. It's far worse, however, when actors suddenly exit projects without any on-screen closure.

Surprise departures can curb audiences' enjoyment of a show, whether from disrupted cast dynamics or shoddy storytelling. And depending on how controversial the exits are, a key departure can completely derail a show's success. So let’s take a look back at some of the most memorable instances when stars parted ways with projects without closing their characters' stories.

Anna Faris (Mom)

During Mom's hiatus following Season 7, co-star Anna Faris suddenly revealed she was leaving the show, which reportedly shocked the creative team as much as fans. Allison Janney & Co. went forward with the eighth season, occasionally referencing Faris’ character Christy, but it was canceled without any kind of conclusion for the character, though the creators made it clear they didn’t want to kill her off.

Chevy Chase (Community)

Community already suffered the exodus of creator Dan Harmon and more creatives in Season 4, and then Chevy Chase allegedly used a racial slur on the set, leading him to drop out of the NBC comedy through mutual agreement with network execs. His character Pierce appeared multiple times after his official exit, due to episodes airing out of order, as well as that hologram cameo in the Season 5 premiere, but the SNL vet never returned as a regular, and was unceremoniously killed off via dialogue two episodes after the cameo.

Danny Masterson (The Ranch)

That ‘70s Show vet Danny Masterson reteamed with Ashton Kutcher on Netflix’s sitcom The Ranch, but was fired in December 2017 after multiple assault allegations against him were publicized. Masterson later faced trial, was convicted and sentenced to prison in September 2023, and did not return as Rooster Bennett, who was written as missing and presumed dead via motorcycle accident.

Suzanne Somers (Three's Company)

Three’s Company's early seasons were bolstered by the popularity of Suzanne Somers’ Chrissy Snow, but network execs reportedly refused the actress’ salary increase requests, leading to a unique stalemate agreement. Somers made only contractually obligated appearances in Season 4 episodes' closing tag scenes, which she filmed separately from her co-stars. Somers was fired by the season’s end, with Chrissy said to be caring for her sick mom in Fresno.

Corey Hawkins (The Walking Dead)

Corey Hawkins joined The Walking Dead Season 6 as comic book fan-favorite Heath, but Straight Outta Compton's release that same year shot him to Hollywood’s stratosphere. In one of TWD’s most baffling moments, Heath disappeared in Season 7, and was never seen from again. Reportedly, Heath would have returned for the movies, but those plans have been shut down.

Emmy Rossum (Shameless)

The final two years of Shameless' 11-season run were without Emmy Rossum’s Fiona Gallagher. The actress announced her shocking exit in 2018, and Fiona’s final appearance came in the emotional Season 9 finale. Despite fans’ hopes, Rossum opted not to return for cameos in the remaining seasons, and the series finale wrapped without any major Fiona updates.

Mandy Patinkin (Criminal Minds)

Criminal Minds began its lengthy run with Mandy Patinkin’s Jason Gideon running the BAU, but that changed ahead of the third season when Patinkin left the show entirely over his disgust with the violent storylines. (He called joining the crime drama his “biggest public mistake” in 2012.) Gideon was replaced and killed off-screen seven seasons later, with Ben Savage guest-starring as young Gideon in flashbacks.

Columbus Short (Scandal)

Ahead of Scandal's Season 3 finale, co-star Columbus Short was arrested over a physical altercation at an L.A. restaurant, and eventually confessed he’d developed drinking and drug habits while dealing with a divorce and custody disputes. Short was fired from Scandal in April 2014, and his character Harrison Wright was revealed in Season 4 to have been killed off.

Gina Carano (The Mandalorian)

Former MMA badass Gina Carano landed the role of Star Wars merc Cara Dune in The Mandalorian, but lost the gig in February 2021. Following a series of controversial social media moves, Lucasfilm announced she would no longer be involved in the show. Cara Dune was not recast, and has not returned to the franchise since the Season 2 finale.

Valerie Harper (Valerie)

The Hogan Family began its existence as Valerie, starring the Emmy-winning Valerie Harper as its lead matriarch for two seasons. She was later fired after salary disputes and sued NBC and production company Lorimar. While her initial claims were dismissed, a judge ruled Harper was indeed wrongfully terminated, netting her a financial win. Her character suffered an offscreen death, leading to the series' name changes.

Robert Downey Jr. (Ally McBeal)

Following a string of 1990s scandals, Robert Downey Jr. landed the role of love interest Larry Paul in Season 4 of Fox’s hit dramedy Ally McBeal, which earned him a Golden Globe. But additional arrests in late 2000 and 2001 led creator David E. Kelley to cut ties with RDJ completely. The fifth season, which would have chronicled Ally and Larry’s post-wedding bliss, had to be completely rewritten.

Shannen Doherty (Charmed)

Though Charmed’s eldest sister Prue Halliwell was the trio's most powerful, the third season finale left Shannen Doherty’s character facing possible death. Though presumptions held that she’d return for Season 4, tensions and more issues surrounding Doherty and Alyssa Milano led to Doherty’s firing via phone call. As such, Prue’s wounds turned out to be fatal, but Doherty did not return for the funeral episode.

Clayne Crawford (Lethal Weapon)

Fox’s iteration of Lethal Weapon paired Rectify vet Clayne Crawford with Damon Wayans. But instead of buddy cop love, reports indicated strife and hostility building between the co-stars, along with complaints about Crawford's directorial work. His exit was reported on the day of the Season 2 finale, which ended on a cliffhanger for his character Riggs, who was unsurprisingly revealed to have succumbed to his wounds. Seann William Scott joined Season 3 as a replacement.

Grace Park (Hawaii Five-0)

After seven seasons portraying Kono Kalakaua for CBS’ Hawaii Five-0 reboot, Grace Park opted to vacate her role alongside Daniel Dae Kim after their attempts to secure pay equality with co-stars Alex O’Loughlin and Scott Caan were turned down by CBS Television Studios. Kono was revealed to have relocated to Carson City, Nevada, as part of a trafficking task force, with Danny sharing their break-up update in Season 9.

Thomas Gibson (Criminal Minds)

Various Criminal Minds stars exited the drama for different reasons, but Thomas Gibson’s case. stands out. Despite the show still being early into filming Season 12, ABC Studios and CBS Studios revealed the actor’s termination via a joint statement in August 2016, less than a week after Gibson was suspended over an on-set altercation with a writer-producer. A later episode revealed his character Aaron “Hotch” Hotchner entered Witness Protection after discovering serial killer Peter Lewis stalking his son Jack.

Roseanne Barr (Roseanne)

One of the '90s' biggest sitcoms returned to ABC in 2018, with Roseanne bringing comedian Roseanne Barr back as its matriarch. But that return only lasted for a single season, as Barr tweeted a message about former White House Advisor Valerie Jarrett that was considered racist, and two months after its Season 11 renewal, Roseanne was effectively canceled. The network relaunched without Barr as The Conners, which kicked off its run by killing off Roseanne Conner via drug overdose.

Charlie Sheen (Two And A Half Men)

Two and a Half Men thrived on the chemistry between Charlie Sheen and Jon Cryer, but the show went into hiatus in 2011 due to Sheen’s then-latest rehab stint, at which point the actor began slamming CBS and Chuck Lorre in a variety of high-profile interviews. Season 8 was then shut down mid-production, with Sheen’s firing later capping things off. His public meltdowns continued capturing headlines as Ashton Kutcher helped fill the Charlie void, and unfortunately didn't make good on rumors of his series finale return.

Lisa Edelstein (House)

Across her years as Dr. Lisa Cuddy, House star Lisa Edelstein went from playing contentious boss to adoring lover. Upon Season 7’s end, she and two co-stars were asked to take salary cuts during contract negotiations, with Edelstein being the lone holdout. She announced her exit ahead of Season 8, and Cuddy was later revealed to have quit as Dean of Medicine, with Omar Epps’ Eric Foreman taking on the duties for the final season.

James Garner (Maverick)

For three seasons, James Garner portrayed Maverick's title character Bret Maverick, but the 1960 writers' strike helped bring that run to a sudden close. When Warner Bros. attempted to lay Garner off due to a lack of scripts, he fought back and successfully sued the studio for breach of contract. According to the actor, he personally turned down an offer to return with a raise, saying, “I want out,” and though Bret appeared in an airing-delayed Season 4 ep which was filmed far earlier, Garner did not return, with fill-in stars Roger Moore and Robert Colbert added later.

Katherine Heigl (Grey's Anatomy)

Katherine Heigl took a temporary leave from Grey’s Anatomy in Season 6 to shoot a movie and spend time with her adopted daughter, which sparked her to request to be released from her contract 18 months early. Disputes have raged on over how her sudden exit was handled, considering Izzy never experienced an official “farewell” scene. Alex Karev’s final ep specifically noted that he and Izzy were back together and raising twins in Kansas. While Heigl notably reunited with former co-stars at the Emmys, giving fans hope that Izzy could return, she has yet to justify those hopes.

Jeff Garlin (The Goldbergs)

Nine months after The Goldbergs co-star George Segal died at 87, lead actor Jeff Garlin vacated the show following multiple HR investigations into allegations of misconduct. The departure was said to be a mutual agreement between the actor and the producers and network, and because it happened in the middle of filming Season 9, the producers used CGI, physical stand-ins, and archival audio to make it appear as if Murray was still around. The writers ditched that idea going into Season 10, though, and revealed Murray's off-camera death.

Freema Agyeman (New Amsterdam)

Freema Agyeman portrayed New Amsterdam's oncology chief Dr. Helen Sharpe for four seasons, and while many expected her back for the fifth and final season, the actress shockingly announced her exit amid the summer hiatus, cheekily pleading for fans to continue Sharpe’s story via fan-fiction. She went on to co-star in the series Dreamland, cementing Sharpe and Dr. Goodwin’s break-up, and though the character did appear on TV in a later Season 5 episode, it was without any overarching updates.

Hartley Sawyer (The Flash)

In 2017, actor Hartley Sawyer landed his stretchiest role yet as The Flash’s Ralph Dibny, a.k.a. Elongated Man. Three years later, in response to his comments about Black Lives Matter, social media users pulled up multiple derogatory and offensive tweets the actor posted between the years of 2009-2014. He publicly apologized for the posts, but a week after waves were made, Warner Bros. TV and The CW fired Sawyer from The Flash, which used an uncredited body double for Season 7’s “Mother” to write Ralph out alongside Sue Dearbon.

Jill Marie Jones (Girlfriends)

Jill Marie Jones crushed it as Girlfriends’ ego-driven Toni Childs for six seasons but was the only main cast holdout who exited the dramedy ahead of Season 7 over her contract expiring. Jones' exit was explained through Toni moving to New York City at the end of Season 6, but Jones spoke openly in 2007 about feeling that Toni’s story wasn’t over and that she'd be willing to return if the writers put something together. Alas, the show was canceled in 2008 before that could happen.

Lori Loughlin (Fuller House)

Lori Loughlin returned to her Full House role of Rebecca for the Netflix continuation series Fuller House, but her appearances ceased in Season 4 after she was fired by Netflix over her and her husband Mossimo Giannulli’s actions regarding the 2019 college admissions bribery scandal. Though the actress was later able to reprise her When Calls the Heart character, Aunt Becky didn't return at all for Season 5.

Kevin Spacey (House Of Cards)

Alongside Robin Wright, Kevin Spacey made streaming TV normal with Netflix’s House of Cards. In the weeks ahead of Season 6's production, Spacey faced widely publicized accusations from actor Anthony Rapp, was subsequently fired by Netflix and was removed from executive producer duties. His character Frank Underwood was revealed to have been poisoned and died ahead of the Season 6 premiere.

Leanna Creel (Saved By The Bell)

Leanna Creel’s Tori Scott remains one of pop culture's biggest curiosities, having slid into NBC’s Saved by the Bell for its final season during a run of episodes lacking Tiffani Thiessen’s Kelly and Elizabeth Berkley’s Jessie. The leather-clad character shook things up for Zack & Co. for just ten episodes, and was never heard from again.

Wayne Rogers (MASH)

Three years after joining CBS' MASH, actor Wayne Rogers grew discouraged by his character Trapper John not reaching his expectations, and unexpectedly opted to quit the hit series ahead of its fourth season. But while fellow exiting co-star McLean Stevenson was able to be written out of the Season 3 finale, Trapper John's absence had to be explained away in the Season 4 premiere without Rogers around.

Ruby Rose (Batwoman)

Batwoman’s first foray into live-action saw Ruby Rose wearing Kate Kane's cape and cowl, but she left the Arrowverse series shortly after the first season ended. Reports noted she was fired over on-set behavior, with Rose claiming the show’s taxing nature led her to suffer back surgery following an alleged on-set accident. Replaced as a lead by Javicia Leslie's Ryan Wilder, Kate later returned in a different physical form without Rose’s involvement.

Kate Jackson (Charlie's Angels)

O.G. Charlie’s Angels star Kate Jackson won viewers’ hearts for three years as Sabrina Duncan, which is when she followed former co-star Farrah Fawcett out the door. Jackson spoke warily of the writers’ scripts, and after being denied the opportunity to join Kramer vs. Kramer due to scheduling, she intentionally caused an on-set mess that led to her dismissal ahead of Season 4. Replaced by Shelley Hack’s Tiffany Wells, Sabrina was revealed to have left the agency to become a mother.

Jon Seda (Chicago P.D.)

Jon Seda’s Antonio Dawson jumped from Chicago Fire to P.D. to Justice and back again for seven years. Surprisingly, NBC and Wolf Entertainment chose not to renew Seda’s contract ahead of Chicago P.D.'s seventh season, and he was let go. Later episodes revealed the character fell back into pill addiction following the prior finale's cliffhanger, and he was checked into rehab, eventually moving to Puerto Rico after resigning from the force.

Selma Blair (Anger Management)

Charlie Sheen followed Two and a Half Men with the comedy Anger Management, co-starring Selma Blair for part of its run as his colleague and fling interest Dr. Kate Wales. Conflict between Blair and Sheen bled into the tabloids, and a reported ultimatum from Sheen led producers to fire Blair, with her character suddenly being explained away as having moved to India.

In May of 2023, Danny Masterson was found guilty of two counts of rape, and in September, it was announced that he had been sentenced to up to 30 years in prison. Now, he’s been behind bars for months, and he recently turned 48, marking his first birthday in prison. So, what do inmates eat on their birthday? It’s been revealed what the disgraced actor reportedly was served on this significant day.

According to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) food menu Radar Online obtained, the former That ‘70s Show actor got a normal breakfast of “cold cereal, fried eggs, diced turkey ham, country potatoes and a biscuit.” He also got ketchup and jelly as condiments with options for coffee, juice or milk for a drink. 

For lunch, he reportedly got a “roasted turkey sandwich on two slices of whole wheat bread, vegetables, fresh fruit and two snack packs.” On the side, it sounds like he received a “sugar-free beverage.”  

Masterson’s birthday dinner reportedly was chicken parmesan. According to the report, the menu had “chicken breast with parmesan cheese and marinara sauce” as the main course for the evening. That was reportedly paired with a salad that had cucumbers and Italian dressing along with white beans, tomatoes, onions and peppers. 

There was no dessert on the menu, so no cake on this birthday. Reportedly, Masterson got fruit and a sugar-free drink to cap off the day. 

It sounds like there wasn’t anything out of the ordinary on the menu on March 13, and Masterson was served what everyone else was. 

Along with learning about what inmates eat on their birthdays, which seems to be whatever is on the menu, we’ve also learned other things about living in prison since Masterson got there. For example, it was reported while he was going through reception that he got one phone call per month. Once that process was over, he reportedly got “full prison privileges.” 

Back in February, Danny Masterson was moved from Corcoran State Prison to California Men’s Colony, where he resides now. After he was processed at North Kern State Prison first, he was moved to Corcoran because the Men’s Colony he's now in was full. So, now that he’s there, it’s possible that he’ll stay there for the rest of his sentence.

Based on the California Incarcerated Records of Information Search database, it’s looking like Masterson’s possible date for a consultation regarding parole will be in May of 2038, with a possible parole eligibility date in June 2042. So, he’ll be living life with a menu like the one described above for a very long time. 

As we learn more about Danny Masterson’s case and what it’s reportedly like living in prison, we’ll be sure to keep you posted. 

Danny Masterson is likely going to be in prison for a long time after being convicted on two counts of rape, but where he will live out that 30-year prison sentence has been a bit of a question mark lately. The actor was recently transferred out of one of California’s most infamous maximum-security prisons to a lower-security facility for his “well-being,” among rumors of attacks or threats, but new reports suggest the reason was much less dramatic.

Just a couple of weeks after arriving at Corcoran State Prison — the notorious prison that houses hundreds of convicted murderers and dozens of death row inmates — Danny Masterson was transferred again, this time to the California Men’s Colony. However, instead of the move being for the ex-That ‘70s Show star’s safety, TMZ reports that was where he was supposed to be all along.

The site reports that after Danny Masterson was processed at North Kern State Prison, where he was reportedly only allowed one phone call per month during the process, he was supposed to move to the Men’s Colony, however, that facility was full, so he was sent to the secondary option, which was Corcoran. When an opening became available at the Men’s Colony, Masterson was then moved there.

TMZ’s sources further claimed that there was no attack on the disgraced actor while he was at Corcoran State Prison, nor were there any credible threats to his safety, despite the rumors and reports that the latest transfer was due to concerns for his well-being. It would seem that the Men’s Colony, which is a medium- to minimum-security prison, will be where Danny Masterson stays, after the actor has been moved around quite a bit over the past half-year or so. 

Following his conviction, The Ranch actor was held at the L.A. County Men's Central Jail, which famously once housed O.J. Simpson. In late December, Danny Masterson was transferred to North Kern State Prison, which is reportedly just a reception center and was never intended to be the actor’s permanent residence. Once the intake process was finished, he was sent to Corcoran just until there was space at the Men’s Colony, the primary prison designated for him to serve out his sentence. There he’ll have access to a wide variety of activities, including classes he can take.

While Danny Masterson isn’t eligible for parole until June 2042, per the California Incarcerated Records and Information Search database, his legal team has expressed confidence in eventually getting his convictions overturned, saying they have “identified a number of significant evidentiary and constitutional issues” that ultimately “led to verdicts which are not supported by the evidence.” However, due to the length of Masterson’s sentence, he was dubbed a flight risk, and therefore the request to have the actor released as they continue the appeals process was rejected.

We’ll keep an eye on this situation to see if he’ll be waiting it out at the Men’s Colony, or if another move is in the cards.

Danny Masterson’s recent transfer to Corcoran State Prison took some by surprise when it was first revealed. The prison, long considered one of California’s most notorious, is home to dozens of death row inmates, as well as hundreds of additional murderers and many of the state’s most hardened inmates. It turns out the former That 70s Show star won’t be a long-term resident there, however, as he was transferred again just weeks after arriving, apparently for his own safety.

Deadline spoke to a source in the California Prisons, who said Masterson had to be transferred for his “well-being.” The outlet claims his stay lasted barely over two weeks before he was abruptly moved to The Men’s Colony, where he’s currently staying according to California Prison records. The facility is a medium to low security prison in San Luis Obispo that’s widely considered to be more relaxed than Corcoran and has a wide variety of activities and classes the inmates are allowed to take. 

Over the years, it has previously housed high profile inmates like Suge Knight, Ike Turner and Timothy Leary. It has a capacity of almost 4,000 inmates and has separate dormitories with varying levels of security. It’s unclear which Masterson is serving time in. 

It’s been a hectic half year or so for the actor, who was sentenced to prison back in September after being convicted of two counts of rape. His initial transfer was to North Kern State Prison from DTLA, where he went through all the entry procedures, during which Masterson only got one phone call a month and didn’t have access to his personal belongings. 

Following that probationary period, he was moved to Corcoran State Prison, which is probably most famous for being the longtime home of Charles Manson, the infamous leader of the Manson Family who was convicted of murdering Hollywood starlet Sharon Tate, among several others. 

Danny Masterson’s lawyers have been very vocal about filing an appeal and their confidence his convictions will eventually be overturned. Their motion to keep Masterson at home until those proceedings were finished was denied by a judge, but they’ve continually expressed confidence they will eventually secure his release. Unless something changes, he’s not currently eligible for parole until June 2042, though he can begin the process formally with consultations in 2038. 

There are currently other legal problems Masterson is facing, as well, however. His longtime wife Bijou Phillips filed for divorce after his conviction, and he’s currently a co-defendant in a civil lawsuit that’s targeting The Church Of Scientology, as well as him, for allegedly conspiring to intimidate the victims and cover up the rapes he was convicted for. Those allegations include everything from spying to murdering a dog. It’ll likely take years for all those proceedings to play out. Whether or not Masterson will still be housed at The Men’s Colony or this will prove yet another brief stop in his journey when that happens is unclear. 

Danny Masterson may have limited access to the outside world after being transferred to North Kern State Prison in Delano, California, to continue serving his 30-year prison sentence. But his legal team has continued its attempts to have that conviction overturned. It seems that the That ‘70s Show actor will remain behind bars for the duration of the appeals process, after a judge denied a request for bail, citing the actor as a flight risk.

The actor was found guilty in May 2023 of raping two women in the early 2000s, with the verdict coming after a years-long investigation into allegations from multiple women. His decades-long sentence was handed down in September, and per documents obtained by Deadline, the length of the sentence apparently played into Judge Charlaine Olmedo’s decision to deny Danny Masterson bond pending appeal. Olmedo wrote in a court order January 24: 

In addition to the 30 years Danny Masterson has been sentenced to — his parole eligibility date is listed as June 2042 on the California Incarcerated Records and Information Search database — the Los Angeles Superior Court judge also referred to Masterson’s ongoing divorce proceedings with Bijou Phillips as another reason to keep him locked up. 

Bijou Phillips, who married The Ranch star in 2011, filed for divorce from Danny Masterson in September, citing “irreconcilable differences.” Phillips’ lawyer said this process has been “unimaginably hard” for the actress, whose top priority remains her and Masterson’s 9-year-old daughter Fianna. 

Her wishes to move forward came even as the actor’s lawyers expressed confidence that they would be successful in their appeal of the convictions. Following Danny Masterson’s sentencing, his lawyer Shawn Holley said the team had identified “a number of significant evidentiary and constitutional issues” that “led to verdicts which are not supported by the evidence.”

The decision to keep the actor, who famously played Steven Hyde on That ‘70s Show, in prison as they continue to work on supporting the above claims was possibly tough for him to hear, considering what the first months of his stay entail. 

Danny Masterson was transferred from L.A. Men’s County Jail to the North Kern facility in late December 2023. The reception and classification process — which reportedly can take up to 90 days — dictates that inmates can receive only one phone call per month. Masterson also can have no family visits or use of his personal property during this time, and has only limited access to entertainment. After the reception process, he will receive full prison privileges at the medium-security facility, and due to the judge’s rejection of his bond request, it seems that’s where he’ll remain for a long time. 

Seven months after Danny Masterson was found guilty of raping two women and began serving a 30-year prison sentence, it was learned that the disgraced actor had been transferred to North Kern State Prison in Delano, California. Now, the conditions of his first days at the state facility have been reported, and it sounds like the That ‘70s Show alum will be under some pretty hefty restrictions that include limited contact with the outside world.

Danny Masterson, whose guilty verdict came six years after three women accused the actor of sexually assaulting them in the early 2000s, had been incarcerated in the L.A. Men’s County Jail until December 27, when he was transferred to North Kern. TMZ reports that The Ranch actor is going through a reception and classification that dictates “he only gets one call per month” through the end of the process, after getting to make one phone call in the first week of his arrival.

The reception process reportedly can take up to 90 days, the site reports, and minimal phone privileges aren’t where the restrictions end. According to the California Department of Corrections, Danny Masterson is also not allowed to have family visits at this time. He also has limited access to entertainment and no access to his personal property.

The actor, who was fired from The Ranch after the investigation into the rape allegations began in 2017, will reportedly get full prison privileges upon completion of the reception process, and for the time being, he still has access to the yard and recreation services.

Danny Masterson’s 30-year prison sentence was handed down in September, with the judge denying the defense’s request for the two 15-year sentences to be served concurrently. Both victims who the actor was found guilty of raping were present at the sentencing to give impact statements. 

According to the California Incarcerated Records and Information Search database, the tentative date for consultation regarding parole for Danny Masterson is set for May 2038, with a parole eligibility date set for July 2042 (though the site notes that those dates are subject to change). There are also instructions for how his victims can attend parole hearings and/or obtain notice of when Masterson is eventually released.

The trial that wrapped in May was the second time Danny Masterson faced legal action over the accusations. He was initially charged in June 2020 of raping three women, but a mistrial was declared in November 2022, after members of the jury tested positive for COVID. When the new trial began in April 2023, additional corroborating and expert witnesses were brought in, resulting in Masterson being found guilty of two of the three counts of rape.

As the actor begins his stay in state prison, Danny Masterson’s legal team continues to work on an appeal, with his lawyer expressing confidence in getting his conviction overturned. 

After the retrial of The Ranch star Danny Masterson saw the actor convicted of two counts of rape, the justice system has continued to process that verdict in due course. While Masterson’s lawyer was “confident” in overturning the conviction, it seems they might be waiting a little longer for any movement on that front. As the That ‘70s Show actor has now been transferred to state prison, further details of his incarceration have now been made available. 

Through his entry in the California Incarcerated Records and Information Search database, it has been confirmed that Danny Masterson has now been transferred to North Kern State Prison. With parole eligibility set for June 2042, the earliest consultation date on the books is set to take place in June 2038; which would be an estimated 15-19 years into Masterson’s sentence.

Of course, there’s a chance that further proceedings or infractions might alter that window. Right in the language that lays out the potential scenarios for Masterson and his parole proceedings, “court orders, changes in law, and routine audits” are all mentioned as potential factors that could affect his ongoing stay at North Kern.

Not to mention, there are instructions on how his victims can attend those parole eligibility proceedings, as well as obtain notice of when he’s eventually released. But once more, the window that's currently set for such events is far away enough that it's not an immediate concern for any involved parties.

It’s a story that’s been ongoing since 2017 when the police investigation into Danny Masterson began after three women came forward saying he had sexually assaulted them in the early 2000s. Initially, the first Masterson trial ended in a mistrial in November 2022, but an eventual second round of proceedings led to the current guilty verdict. After that judgment, the actor was held at the L.A. Men’s County Jail this past June as he awaited further steps. 

That venue served as home while Masterson’s eventual sentencing this past September saw him handed a 30 years to life sentence for his perceived crimes. He was found guilty of two counts of rape involving two victims, the third charge got a split verdict. This brings us to the current state of affairs, resulting in Danny Masterson being held in the medium-security establishment he’ll now reside in until further notice. 

After six years of legal wrangling, the system has spoken, and now the punishment has begun. Wherever the road leads in the case of Danny Masterson’s rape conviction, it’s clear that at the moment the wheels of justice seem to be turning. 

We now know that Danny Masterson will spend a long time North Kern State Prison following his guilty verdict. As his sentence continues, we'll be sure to keep you posted about the situation. 

Danny Masterson was retried for rape earlier this year and was ultimately found guilty of raping two women. As a result, Masterson was later sentenced to 30 years in prison. In the aftermath of the verdict, it was revealed that several of the That ‘70s Show alum’s colleagues wrote character letters on Masterson’s behalf. Among them were married couple Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis, who faced significant backlash for their actions. The two have mostly remained silent over the past few months but, in honor of Thanksgiving, Kutcher shared a message, in which he discussed what he’s “thankful for” this holiday season. And his sentiments seemed to correlate with the flak he took for his letter. 

It was on X (formerly known as Twitter) that Ashton Kutcher shared his holiday-oriented comments. The 45-year-old father of two named life, health and friendship as a few of the elements in his life that he’s most grateful to have. Kutcher also went on to say that he’s thankful for two particular words that are part of the English language as well as a few other concepts. And one can’t help but get the feeling that he’s alluding to the situation that went down with his longtime co-star: 

While Danny Masterson is not mentioned anywhere in the message, the sentiments shared near the end could be applied to the situation involving the character letters. The Your Place or Mine actor seemed to indicate through his post that he’s thankful for having the ability to speak out and listen to others when it’s warranted.

It was reported in early September that Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis (and co-stars Debra Jo Rupp and Kurtwood Smith) had written letters that were submitted to the judge presiding over the rape retrial in the lead-up to the verdict. When writing about his former co-star, Kutcher reportedly said he was a “role model” when they worked together, while Kunis referred to his “exceptional character.” When Kunis and Kutcher later broke their silence on the matter, they apologized and explained that Danny Masterson’s family reached out and asked them to pen the messages. While the pair aimed to write about the Masterson they knew years ago, they said they were aware of the “pain” their letters had caused and stressed that they support victims.

The two continued to receive backlash following the apology video, which at least one PR expert found to be ineffective. As a result of the situation, the Guess Who star also resigned from his post as the chairman of Thorn. The aim of the organization’s leads is to combat human trafficking and prevent the exploitation of children. 

All the while, Danny Masterson remains in police custody and, since his sentencing, he’s worked out arrangements with his estranged wife, Bijou Phillips. After Masterson was sentenced, Phillips filed to divorce him after nearly 12 years of marriage, citing “irreconcilable differences.” The Men at Work actor also agreed to give Phillips full custody of their 9-year-old daughter, Fianna. 

It seems that Ashton Kutcher, for his part, is now looking to move past the drama surrounding his former on-screen partner. Time will tell how Kutcher – as well as Mila Kunis – navigate their lives from a professional perspective as time goes on. But at present, it sounds like Kutcher is just thankful for what he currently has in his life.

It was nearly two weeks ago that Danny Masterson was formally sentenced following his rape retrial. The former That ‘70s Show actor was given 30 years to life behind bars for raping two women. As of this writing, his legal team is reportedly working on his behalf, and his lawyer is “confident” the case will be overturned. Now, it would appear that the attorneys will have to deal with another legal situation, as Masterson’s wife, Bijou Phillips, has formally  filed to divorce him. On that note, her own lawyer released a statement on the matter

The 43-year-old actress’ legal move was reported this week and was eventually confirmed by her attorney, Peter A. Lauzon. She apparently cited “irreconcilable differences” as the reason for her decision to end her marriage to Danny Masterson after nearly 12 years. While addressing the matter, Lauzon not only declared his client’s intent to move on but also explained what her top priority is at this point: 

The two actors are parents to 9-year-old daughter Fianna and, per People, Bijou Phillips is asking for full legal and physical custody of the child. She’d also like the Ranch alum to be afforded visitation rights. Additionally, Phillips is seeking to “terminate the court's ability to grant support.” Peter A. Lauzon shared additional information on the situation, laying out how recent events have allegedly impacted Phillips. He shed a bit of light on the It's Alive star’s current view of her soon-to-be-ex-husband: 

Bijou Phillips, a Scientologist like her estranged spouse, has reportedly made a few other specific requests in her divorce filing. According to the trade, she wants both her and Danny Masterson’s assets to be split up and considered separate property. (It’s currently unclear as to whether the pair had any kind of prenuptial agreement in place.) Phillips is also asking that Masterson handle the costs of her legal fees. As of this writing, the convicted actor’s legal team has yet to respond to the divorce filing. 

Throughout the Men at Work alum’s case, his spouse was present in the courtroom alongside other members of his family. She most recently appeared at his sentencing, during which she was allegedly “distraught” over the decision. Shawn Holley, a lawyer part of the Masterson legal team, admitted to being “disappointed” by the prison sentence. However, she says there are “a number of significant evidentiary and constitutional issues” that are going to be reviewed that could allegedly turn the tide for the actor. 

The divorce is just one part of the fallout from the legal proceedings, which has most recently seen Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis receive backlash. After the sentencing, it was revealed that they wrote character letters on their That ‘70s Show’s co-stars behalf before the judge made the decision. Kunis and Kutcher have since broken their silence on the situation and apologized for their actions. Kutcher also stepped down as chairman of his anti-sex abuse organization. 

When it comes to Danny Masterson and Bijou Phillips’ split, it’s hard to say just how long it’ll take for the matter to be settled. What also remains to be seen is whether Masterson’s legal team will be successful in obtaining an appeal.

The rape trial of embattled actor Danny Masterson was filled with a considerable amount of drama, and that’s seemingly carried over into the aftermath of his guilty verdict and sentencing. After Masterson was given 30 years to life in prison for raping two women, it was revealed that former co-stars, including Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis, wrote character letters on his behalf. The celebrity couple ultimately received backlash, and that ensued after Kunis and Kutcher broke their silence on the matter via an apology video. Now, a PR expert is weighing in on why that clip ultimately proved to be ineffective.

Celebrity apologies are not uncommon, as there have been rare instances in which major Hollywood stars issued statements as a way to address certain actions on their part. Many of those are handled by a public relations team, and veteran crisis rep Molly McPherson is familiar with those kinds of statements. McPherson recently analyzed the video that was put out by the That ‘70s Show alums, and she believes it falls short in one key regard. In her eyes, it lacks any sense of responsibility on the two stars’ part: 

In their video, Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher explained that Danny Masterson’s family reached out to them months ago, asking if they’d write the letters. Kutcher, who referred to Masterson as a “positive influence” in his statement, said the letters were meant to “represent the person that we knew for 25 years.” Kunis later added that she and her spouse “support victims” and that their messages “were not written to question the legitimacy of the judicial system or the validity of the jury’s ruling.” The clip ultimately closed out with Kutcher saying that they never meant to “retraumatize” those impacted by their co-star’s reported actions and apologized if that had taken place. 

Many social media commentators have weighed in on the apology at this point, making note of several aspects. Aside from questioning the wood-paneled background, some have postulated that the two appear uncomfortable in the footage. Molly McPherson, in her email to Insider, believes there’s a specific reason for that: 

As previously alluded to, That ‘70s Show’s Michael Kelso and Jackie Burkhart actors weren’t the only two series alums to write letters on their colleague’s behalf. Kurtwood Smith and Debra Jo Rupp – who played Red and Kitty Forman, respectively – also spoke to the convicted actor’s character. At this point, Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher are still dealing with the fallout, which has seen Kutcher resign as the chairman of his anti-sex abuse organization, Thorn.

Since confirming his decision to step down from that position, neither the Your Place or Mine star nor his wife have made any further comment on the letters or Danny Masterson’s situation. Whether the couple choose to speak out again or take any further action remains to be seen.

Following news that That ‘70s Show star Danny Masterson was sentenced to 30 years in prison for raping two women last week, news broke that his former co-stars, Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis, had written character statements in support of Masterston prior to the ruling. With the couple facing backlash for their decision to take part in his trial, Kutcher has now made the decision to resign from his role as Board Chair for the anti-sex abuse organization Thorn, which he co-founded with Demi Moore back in 2012. 

Kutcher decided to resign following it becoming known that he, Mila Kunis, and reportedly other That ‘70s Show stars penned character statements during Masterson’s trial, on his behalf. He addressed the organization’s board with a statement, which was published by Thorn. He wrote, in part: 

Thorn categorizes itself as “a leader in the child safety ecosystem” that is proactive in defending children from sexual abuse. The organization has worked with the tech industry to create and implement prevention tools and resources to protect children who may be targeted. Kutcher continued with these words: 

Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis worked closely with Danny Masterson on That ‘70s Show for eight years. Masterson was first accused of sexual assault in 2017 when at least four women came forward with allegations of rape between 2001 and 2003, which was when the actor was on the hit sitcom. The women went on to file a suit against him and the Church of Scientology (of which he is a member) in 2019 for purported harassment and stalking in connection to their rape claims.

In the character statement from Kutcher, the actor reportedly called Masterson “an extraordinarily honest and intentional human being” who had been a “positive influence" on him. Kunis wrote “Danny has proven to be an amazing friend, confidant, and, above all, an outstanding older brother figure to me” within her letter. 

Masterson was formally charged in 2020 before he pleaded not guilty in 2021. In late 2022, a trial began that ultimately was declared a mistrial due to a hung jury. Masterston was back on trial in April 2023 which resulted in a guilty verdict, and his current sentencing of 30 years in prison. 

Kutcher’s letter continued to apologize for the hurt his character statement may have caused, and he explained:

Kutcher’s decision to step down from his role at Thorn comes after he and Mila Kunis broke their silence about writing the character letters last week. The couple shared an understanding of the “pain” their letters caused, and emphasized their support for victims and their commitment to “continue to do so in the future.” 

As Kutcher steps down in his position from Thorn, the organization shared it would not be where it is without his contributions for the “significant role in the impact” the anti-sex abuse organization has made. 

Danny Masterson was formally sentenced this past week months after being found guilty of rape during his retrial. The former That ‘70s Show actor was given 30 years in prison for raping two women. In the aftermath of that legal development, subsequent details regarding the lead-up to the sentencing have come to light. The most significant information that’s since cropped up is arguably the fact that Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis and more of Masterson’s former co-stars wrote letters on his behalf. Now, Kunis and Kutcher have broken their silence on the matter.

The celebrity couple discussed the situation in a video that was posted to Kutcher’s Instagram account. The two spoke intermittently while explaining their decision to write letters on behalf of Danny Masterson. Ashton Kutcher started the clip off by acknowledging the “pain that has been caused” by their choice before providing further context:

Mila Kunis went on to state that she and her husband support victims of sexual assault. She later added that the documents they submitted were not intended to delegitimize any part of the legal process in their former co-star’s case:

The pair closed out their joint message by stating that they never intended to “retraumatize” the victims and apologized if that had taken place. You can see the video in its entirety down below:

Danny Masterson first became embroiled in sexual assault allegations in 2017, when at least four women accused him of raping them between 2001 and 2003. The ladies eventually filed suit against the actor as well as the Church of Scientology (of which Masterson is a member) in 2019 for purported harassment and stalking in connection to their rape claims. Masterson was formally charged in 2020 and, in 2021, he pleaded not guilty to the accusations. A trial began in October 2022, but it would ultimately be declared a mistrial due to a hung jury. The case was retried in April 2023, and the guilty verdict was delivered in May.

Post-sentencing, letters written to the judge by family and friends (which are customary in these cases) were divulged, including those of Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis. Details on the contents of the documents were initially scarce, but EW and other outlets have since obtained them. In his letter, Michael Kelso actor Kutcher referred to his ex-That ‘70s Show and The Ranch co-star as “an extraordinarily honest and intentional human being” that had been a “positive influence" on him. Kutcher also acknowledged the charges and that the women are seeking justice but also hoped that his testimony would be considered. Jackie Burkhart actress Kunis, also said, “Danny has proven to be an amazing friend, confidant, and, above all, an outstanding older brother figure to me.”

Other responses came from fellow ‘70s Show veterans Kurtwood Smith and Debra Jo Rupp, who played Red and Kitty Forman, respectively, on the classic sitcom and its Netflix sequel series, That ‘90s Show. Rupp referred to the Steven Hyde actor as a “respectful and kind” individual. She concluded the letter by sharing her thanks for “allowing me to tell you about the Danny Masterson that I love.” Masterson’s on-screen surrogate father figure, Smith, called him “a good friend” and later stated that “Danny treated all women on the show with respect, not only the women in the cast, but women on the crew as well.” He also called Masterson “a wonderful father to his daughter.”

As of right now, Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis are the only high-profile individuals to have spoken out about writing character letters. Time will tell if any others will choose to address the situation. 

Months after being found guilty of rape, former actor Danny Masterson was sentenced this past week. The judge ultimately sentenced him to 30 years in prison for raping two women. Amid this development and throughout the legal process, Masterson’s former That ‘70s Show co-stars have mostly remained mum on his situation. It would seem, however, that he did receive some support from a couple of the sitcom’s alums ahead of his sentencing. It would appear that Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis wrote letters on his behalf. 

News of the 47-year-old’s sentencing was reported by a number of sources, including ABC7 reporter Lisa Bartley. After she shared the news to X (formerly known as Twitter) this past Thursday, she provided an update. Bartley shared that she’d obtained letters that were sent to the presiding judge from the Men at Work alum’s loved ones. It was in that post that she revealed that his two fellow actors – who are married – wrote acknowledgements of their own: 

Knowledge on the specific content of the letters is scarce at this point. Per Good Morning America though (via Hello! Magazine), the pair of stars were complementary. Ashton Kutcher – who co-runs a foundation that combats child sex trafficking – allegedly referred to his former co-star as a “role model.” It’s reported that Mila Kunis made note of the actor’s “exceptional character” within her own remarks.

The married couple has a considerable amount of history with the embattled performer, mostly due to That ‘70s Show, which ran for eight years on Fox. Around a decade after the hit series’ conclusion, Ashton Kutcher reteamed with Danny Masterson for Netflix’s The Ranch. Masterson was ultimately fired from the show in 2017 due to the rape allegations he was faced with. Earlier this year, Kutcher addressed his colleague’s legal troubles during an interview with Esquire. The father of two maintained that he didn’t want to see Masterson “elude the law”  but hoped “for the truth to show he's innocent.”

Danny Masterson – a noted Scientologist – was accused of sexual assaulting multiple women between 2001 and 2003. At least four women came forward with the claims in 2017, and the trial (which saw the Church of Scientology get embroiled in the matter) ultimately began in the fall of 2022. However, due to a hung jury, Masterson’s case was declared a mistrial. The retrial began in the spring of 2023 and ended with the actor being found guilty of rape. Following his sentence, his lawyer, Shawn Holley, revealed that she’s “confident” the conviction will be overturned. She cites “significant evidentiary and constitutional issues” during the case as reasons for that thinking.

As of this writing, neither Ashton Kutcher or Mila Kunis have yet to publicly acknowledge these reported letters. The documents themselves have not been released to the general public in their entirety, at this point. For now, we can only wait and see if more information on the documents comes to the light.

Danny Masterson was found guilty in his retrial back in May and officially sentenced to 30 years to life in prison for multiple counts of rape earlier this week, but according to his lawyer, there are a lot of reasons to believe the conviction will eventually be thrown out. Shawn Holley, who represents the popular actor, says a team of “top appellate lawyers” has been looking into the case and found “significant” issues.

The litigator spoke about Masterson and her confidence about getting the conviction thrown out during an impromptu media scrum yesterday. She said she has great respect for the jury in the case but various “errors” in the case led to them rendering a verdict that won’t hold up. She also reiterated that her client, Danny Masterson, is innocent and did not commit the charges against him. You can read her full statement below, which was captured by Court TV…

The case against Danny Masterson was a complicated two decade ordeal. All of the alleged rapes and sexual assaults occurred between 2001 and 2003 and involved claims from at least four different women. Three came forward in early 2017, which triggered a three year investigation from the LAPD and allegations from at least one other woman. Netflix subsequently fired the actor from his show The Ranch. There was also a lawsuit filed by the accusers against Masterson and The Church Of Scientology for allegedly harassing and stalking them. There was even allegations family pets were poisoned. 

Eventually prosecutors decided to move forward and formally charged Masterson with three counts of rape. The first trial resulted in a hung jury. The case was retried and Masterson was found guilty in the second trial on two of the three counts. Both trials attracted a ton of media attention, both because of Masterson’s popularity as an actor and because of The Church Of Scientology’s involvement. Masterson is a longtime member of the Church, and there have been accusations that officials played a prominent role in the proceedings.

At this point, it’s unclear what “errors” Holley and the unnamed appellate lawyers have discovered or if they’re really as significant as they’re claiming. Given how long the whole process took and how many accusers and investigators were involved, there’s certainly no shortage of possibilities. Expect to hear a whole lot more in the coming months, as appeals are filed and briefs delivered. 

More than six years after Danny Masterson was first accused of sexual assault by multiple women, which led to him getting fired from and written off of Netflix’s The Ranch, the actor was officially convicted in May of raping two women. Several months and attempts to appeal the verdict later, and Masterson now knows exactly how long he’ll be heading to prison for, as the sentencing was handed down in a Los Angeles court.

As decided by presiding Judge Charlaine Olmedo, Danny Masterson was sentenced to 30 years behind bars, which matches up with expectations. According to court reporter Meghan Cuniff, the defense requested for the two 15-year sentences be served concurrently, but that request was denied.

Ahead of the sentencing announcement, Judge Olmedo ruled on and rejected the defense’s last-minute motion for a new trial. As well, the two victims that Masterson was convicted of raping in 2003 were in the courtroom to share impact statements. One of the women chastised the actor for the “theft” of her spirit, and called him “pathetic, disturbed, and completely violent.” She further shared the opinion that him being in prison has made the world better off. 

The second woman told the judge the following, as Masterson and his legal team watched:

Here's what Masterson's lawyer had to say to the judge, though its impact in the final decision is unclear.

According to The Messenger, Masterson's wife Bijou Phillips was present at the trial, and was visibly and audibly upset through the proceedings. The actor himself is not expected to share any verbal reactions in the aftermath, with his lawyer saying as much while in the courtroom. It comes as not much of a surprise, since Masterson previously chose not to take the stand.

The trial that led to the Scientologist's guilty verdict marked the second time he faced legal action over sexual assault and rape charges. The first one came after he was initially charged in June 2020, but that effort resulted in a mistrial declaration in November 2022 due to juror substitutions tied to COVID diagnoses. A new trial began in April 2023, which worked similar to the first, only with new witnesses taking the stand. In the end, the jury found him guilty of raping two of the three women accusing him.

San Diego Comic-Con looks a tad different this year, as a number of major studios backed out due to the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike and WGA writers strikes. Despite that, there are still events and attractions in place to potentially keep attendees entertained. As is the case just about every year, a number of classic shows are well represented at the event. Beloved sitcom That ‘70s Show is among the series to have a big presence at the Con, and the setup is enough to get a fan excited. You probably shouldn’t expect to see cast member Danny Masterson represented, though, as he’s mostly been cut out of the festivities.

This might be hard to believe, but 2023 marks the 25th anniversary of That ‘70s Show, which made its Fox debut on August 23, 1998. (Anyone feeling old yet?) To mark the occasion, a panel featuring series alums Debra Jo Rupp and Kurtwood Smith had been set but, as confirmed by EW, it’s since been cancelled due to the actors strike. The show is still well-represented, however, thanks to an elaborate activation that features the iconic 1969 Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser from the series. The beloved vehicle is surrounded by a semi-recreation of Eric Forman’s garage and driveway, even including a basketball court. 

There’s also a screen that plays clips from the fan-favorite opening sequence, which shows the characters singing while riding in the Vista Cruiser. With that, those who pass by can listen to and rock out to the catchy tune “In the Street.” While the experience is sure to enthuse someone who has a fondness for the long-running comedy, they’re sure to notice the diminished presence of core character Steven Hyde. This is due to the high-profile legal situation surrounding the actor who played the young rebel. 

Danny Masterson was faced with three charges of rape in 2020 and went on trial in October 2022. After weeks of legal proceedings, a mistrial was declared that November as the result of a hung jury. The case was retried in April, and the trial ended in May, with Masterson being found guilty of rape.

Now, at SDCC 2023 months later, the actor’s character has nearly been scrubbed from That ‘70s Show’s activation entirely. There’s no Hyde standee, while there are recreations of the other main characters, including the late Lisa Robin Kelly and Tanya Roberts. The only brief glimpses of Hyde apparently occur in the clips of the opening credits, which show him in the back of the Cruiser. 

The fact that the series is still relevant enough to be a draw at Comic-Con is a true testament to fans’ enduring love for it. The comedy, which ran for eight seasons, continues to reach new generations through syndication and streaming. People are apparently so passionate that they had plenty of thoughts when the show was removed from Netflix years ago. That continued popularity is arguably what convinced the streamer to team up with the original producers for sequel series That ‘90s Show, which has been renewed for a second season. Debra Jo Rupp and Kurtwood Smith headline the spinoff, while Topher Grace, Laura Prepon, Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis, Wilmer Valderrama, Tommy Chong and Don Stark have all guest-starred. 

With or without Danny Masterson, it’s clear that ‘70s Show is thriving in the years since it’s been off the air. So don’t be surprised if you see a few fan pics from the SDCC activation on social media in the near future. And if you’re actually lucky enough to be there, do us all a favor and live it up like it’s 1976!

Anyone else who couldn’t attend but is feeling nostalgic can stream every episode of the show using a Peacock subscription. Also, grab yourself a Netflix subscription if you want to stream That ‘90s Show.

The sexual assault case revolving around Danny Masterson finally came to an end this past week, as he was found guilty in the retrial verdict. The veteran actor was convicted on two count of forcible rape and is currently facing up to 30 years in prison. After the decision was delivered, the Ranch star was taken to prison, where he’ll await his sentencing. In the aftermath, alleged details of his incarceration are starting to reach the surface, and it now seems his prison stint will have something in common with O.J. Simpson’s.

At present, the That ‘70s Show alum is being held at L.A. County Men's Central Jail, which is the same facility that once housed O.J. Simpson. In 2008, the former football player was notably found guilty on 12 counts stemming from an armed robbery situation. “The Juice” isn’t the only famous face to have stayed at the jail either, as music producer Suge Knight has as well. The former exec – who’s had his fair share of legal issues over the years – is incarcerated now, though he’s currently serving out his 28-year sentence at San Diego’s RJ Donovan Correctional Facility. 

As Danny Masterson continues his own stint at Men’s Central Jail, he’s apparently been put under “administrative segregation.” TMZ reports that this measure has been instituted for the actor’s well-being. 

The 47-year-old actor’s conviction stems from rape charges involving multiple women, who claim that he sexually assaulted them between 2001 and 2003. While he was found guilty on two counts, a third left the jury deadlocked. Eight jurors voted in favor of a guilty verdict, while the other four voted not to convict in that regard. Said charge stemmed from allegations made by the star’s ex-girlfriend, Chrissie Carnell, who chose to identify herself as one of his accusers. 

It’s said that after the verdict was read, Danny Masterson’s friends and family who were in attendance were allegedly left gobsmacked by the decision. Masterson’s wife, Bijou Phillips, allegedly had a particularly visceral reaction, as reports claim she wept after he was led out of the courtroom in handcuffs. Since the end of the trial, a few notable individuals have spoken out. Leah Remini – who was once a Scientologist as Masterson currently is – reacted to the verdict, calling it “the beginning of our plan” to hold the Church of Scientology “accountable.” Remini actually attended the trial herself and later shot down claims that she would take the stand to testify. 

The King of Queens actress’ presence during the proceedings was far from the only notable development to take place over the course of the retrial and the original case, which was declared a mistrial due to a hung jury. The first time around, Judge Charlaine Olmedo chastised the opening statements of both the prosecution and the defense due to the heavy influence that Scientology had on their remarks. And in this latest trial, the former Netflix star’s ex-girlfriend shared a harrowing testimony about her reported experiences with him. 

A sentencing hearing is currently scheduled for August 4. Danny Masterson’s defense team also requested that he remain free until that time, though that move was ultimately struck down by the judge. While he’s at L.A. County Men's Central Jail, he’ll receive occasional cell phone privileges and recreational time, which may have been conditions that O.J. Simpson and others were subjected to.

Former That 70s Show star Danny Masterson was found guilty of rape yesterday. The Los Angeles jury convicted the forty-seven-year-old actor on two counts of rape, while the last count resulted in a hung jury. He could face between thirty years to life for the sexual assaults that took place in the early 2000s. The guilty verdict has generated a lot of statements from those involved, but few are getting as much traction as the one from Leah Remini, who was a regular presence in court.

The noted actress has been an outspoken critic of Scientology. She left the Church back in 2013, and in the time since, she’s produced documentaries, TV shows and a podcast criticizing the Church for a variety of issues. Masterson is a Scientologist and he was also sued alongside the Church for allegedly harassing and intimidating the women making the allegations. At one point, the Church was even accused of murdering two dogs one of the women had.

After the verdict was read, Remini took to social media to drop an extended statement calling the guilty verdicts “a relief.” She said the women “faced vicious attacks and harassment from Scientology” and claimed the Church played a significant role in “obstructing justice.” You can read a portion of the statement below…

Remini also spoke directly to the women at the heart of the trial. She called them “heroes” and said the accuser who didn’t get a guilty verdict was still responsible for helping bring “justice” to Masterson. She also thanked those involved in the trial, as well as the LAPD for continuing to investigate despite “relentless harassment” from Scientologists. 

You can read the entirety of Remini’s long statement below…

Exactly what Remini's plan to bring the Church to justice for its alleged crimes are, but at this point, it's pretty clear she's going to keep trying. She's seemingly made it her life's work to call out Scientology and its senior members for perceived wrongdoing. She even filed a police report claiming leader David Miscavige's wife was missing, as the two were previously friends and she has disappeared from the public eye.

Masterson is currently in custody and is due back in court on August 4th for a hearing. It'll be the next step in a legal process that has lasted almost twenty years. The assaults allegedy took place between 2001 and 2003. One of the accusers originally went to police in 2004 but no charges were filed. Later, the three women found each other and all went to the police together. Police reinvestigated and Masterson was charged back in 2020. A trial happened late last year. The case resulted in a hung jury, but prosecutors ultimately elected to retry Masterson and were able to secure a guilty verdict the second time around. 

Six years after investigations began in regards to multiple women accusing Danny Masterson of sexual assault, the That ‘70s Show vet was found guilty of two counts of rape, in a series of verdicts that somewhat successfully ended prosecutors’ retrial efforts. The actor was taken into custody following the decisions, with sentencing to come down the line. He faces up to 30 years in prison. 

Masterson was found guilty on forcible rape charges involving two female victims stemming back to 2001-2003, while a third charge earned a split verdict from the jury that comprised seven women and five men. THR reports that the charge that split the group was in relation to his ex-girlfriend Chrissie Carnell Bixler, who came forward and publicly identified herself as one of the accusers. Eight of the jurors favored a guilty verdict in her case, while four opposed. 

According to the Associated Press, the verdict left the nearby family and friends of Danny Masterson with "stone-faced" expressions. His wife Bijou Phillips was reportedly weeping as he was led out of the courtroom in handcuffs.

The women whose rape charges landed the guilty verdicts shared their harrowing testimonies on the stand during the retrial. One of them shared the following statement after the verdict was announced that convicted him of raping her inside him home in 2003:

The split verdict didn't inspire quite the same reaction, though Bixler's statement does address her finding overall value in the actor being sent to jail.

The verdict was reached after a seven-day deliberation that took place across two weeks, with the Memorial Day weekend falling in the middle. The retrial's opening statements took place in April 2023, after the initial March start date was rescheduled, and the proceedings themselves were slightly different than how the first trial was handled. For one, more attention placed on the Church of Scientology, of which all three accusers were members between 2001 and 2003. Though she didn't attend the first trial, Leah Remini did show up for the retrial, and claimed attempts were made to keep her out of the courtroom for the opening arguments, based on false reports that she would take the stand as a witness, which she was not listed as. 

The first trial, which was also initially delayed, started in October 2022 and lasted right around a month before jurors went into deliberation. That process was also split into two sessions by a holiday (Thanksgiving), with two jurors being replaced due to COVID-19 diagnoses. After no progress was made toward landing a clear verdict, the judge declared it a mistrial on November 30.

Danny Masterson's acting career essentially ended when he was fired from Netflix's The Ranch in December 2017, months after the rape allegations surfaced. While he'd commented on the existence of Netflix's That '90s Show when it was ordered, he understandably wasn't part of the continuation series at all. 

At this time, a sentencing date for Masterson has not yet been set.

Trigger Warning: This story contains graphic details related to alleged sexual abuse.

Danny Masterson’s rape case was declared a mistrial back in November due to a hung jury but, now, the That ‘70s Show alum is back in the courtroom for a retrial. Though the proceedings have only just begun, there have already been a few notable developments, one of which was Leah Remini’s presence during the trial. Witnesses are now taking the stand, and one of Masterson’s ex-girlfriends provided testimony this week. In the process, the woman provided harrowing details on her alleged experiences with the actor, who she reportedly began dating in 1996.

The lady in question is one of three Jane Does, who accused Danny Masterson of sexually assaulting them between 2001 and 2003. At the time, they (like the actor) were members of the Church of Scientology. When Masterson’s ex took the stand on Tuesday, she claimed he raped her in their bed in 2001. The woman recalled (via the Associated Press) that on that night, she attempted to tell him that she didn’t want to engage in sexual intercourse. Masterson, however, allegedly overpowered her, keeping her down by pinning her arms behind her head: 

She says that the Ranch actor later got physical after she freed one of her arms and used it to pull the hair at the back of his head. The sitcom star had purportedly been angered because one of his pre-established “rules” in the relationship was that his hair and face couldn’t be touched. The witness would go on to allege that he hit her jaw with a partially closed fist and spit on her before getting away from her. 

This was allegedly just one of several negative experiences she had while she was involved with the Hollywood veteran. She says that while the five-year relationship was initially pleasant, it eventually devolved into a situation that involved physical and sexual. Other claims include multiple occasions in which she’d awaken to find him on top of her and the actor allegedly grabbing her hair and dragging her out of the room naked if she refused sex. Additionally, the Jane Doe believes that she was drugged during one particular night they spent together. According to the lady, the entertainer later admitted to having sex with her while she was unconscious and merely laughed when questioned about it. (For the sake of clarity, it should be pointed out that the actor isn’t being charged over that alleged incident.)

Police began investigating Danny Masterson over these alleged acts in 2017, and he was formally charged with raping multiple women in 2020. Both he and the Church of Scientology were also sued by the accusers a year earlier. Today, the Men at Work alum is charged with three counts of rape and could serve 45 years to life in prison if he loses the case. Masterson has pleaded not guilty throughout the proceedings and chose not to take the stand during the first trial.

The woman is expected to reappear in court today, Wednesday, April 26, to provide additional testimony. Danny Masterson’s rape retrial will reportedly continue for another four weeks, and the witness list is expected to be mostly unchanged from the last trial.

Danny Masterson’s rape retrial is now in progress, and early reports indicated that it wouldn’t differ from the first round of legal proceedings, which ended in a mistrial due to a hung jury. However, the case already differs from the original in one major way, as it was attended by Leah Remini. The actress and noted Scientology critic was in the courtroom on Monday, after the defense attempted to keep her out. As a result, speculation arose regarding whether she might end up taking the stand. Remini has since addressed her appearance at the trial and the rumors that she’ll serve as a witness. 

Leah Remini left the Church of Scientology in 2013 after having been a member since she was a child. Since then, she’s sought to advocate for those who’ve allegedly been harmed by the organization and its practices. That intrinsic drive seems to be what motivated her to sit in on the high-profile court case. The actress articulated her thoughts in a thread that was posted to Twitter:

The That ‘70s Show actor has been accused of sexual assault by three Jane Does, who are all former Scientologists and say that the purported incidents took place between 2001 and 2003. The TV veteran was charged with three counts of rape and could serve 45 years to life in prison if the jury finds him guilty. It was reported that this retrial would mostly consist of the same witnesses, though the King of Queens alum has since been referred to as a “percipient witness to certain conversations” by the defense.

Well aware of the buzz surrounding her, Leah Remini – who had a strong reaction after Danny Masterson was charged in 2020 – later addressed his team’s attempts to exclude her. She then proceeded to clarify her witness list status (as of right now). The outspoken Remini also shared some thoughts on the Church of Scientology’s leader and his influence: 

The 52-year-old actress closed out her thread by stating that David Miscavige “will never dictate where I'm allowed to be and what I'm allowed to say.” This is far from the first time that Leah Remini has been critical of the religious leader. In fact, she was particularly vocal years ago following the alleged disappearance of his wife, Shelly. Mrs. Miscavige hasn’t been seen in public since 2007 and, in 2013, Remini filed a missing person’s report for her. The star also tackled the topic in her widely watched A&E show Scientology and the Aftermath. The case was eventually closed in 2018, with several detectives reporting that they’d spoken with Shelly in person. 

Leah Remini’s presence at the retrial is another example of how Scientology has factored into Danny Masterson’s case. Judge Charlaine Olmedo was displeased with the opening statements of the first trial partially because of that influence. She declared that the case would not “be inundated with” the religion. Whether that notion proves to be true this time around remains to be seen but, at the very least, it seems she won’t hear Scientology-related testimony from Remini.

Danny Masterson is back in the courtroom, as the retrial for his high-profile rape case is now under way. The original case began in October 2022 a mistrial was declared due to a hung jury. So far, reports have indicated that the trial will essentially be conducted in a manner similar to the previous one, with only a few differences. Now, it would seem that one aspect of the proceedings has changed, as actress and activist Leah Remini was present during the trial this week. Masterson’s defense team had tried to keep her out, and there are alleged details on their reason for wanting her excluded. 

How Danny Masterson’s Team Allegedly Feels About Leah Remini’s Presence In The Courtroom

The King of Queens alum appeared in court on Monday and was sitting in the front row while surrounded by a group of people. According to Deadline, the defense apparently served her a subpoena “this morning” in an attempt to keep her from attending. That move was ultimately denied by Judge Charlaine Olmedo, however, and that decision was made near the beginning of the day’s proceedings. As the trade explains, Olmedo approved of the actress’ presence ahead of the jury being brought into the room. 

Leah Remini was once a Scientologist – as Danny Masterson currently is – and had been a member of the church since she was nine. Since leaving the faith in 2013, the actress has been an outspoken critic of the church. Additionally, Remini had a strong reaction to Masterson’s charges. At the time, she declared her delight in knowing that “victims are being heard” when it comes to matters involving the controversial religious organization. 

Danny Masterson is facing three counts of rape after being accused of sexual assault by a trio of Jane Does. The women claim that the alleged acts took place between 2001 and 2003, while all three were still Scientologists. Though this retrial was said to include the same witnesses, it’s believed that the former Talk alum could potentially take the stand. Shawn Holley, a new lawyer for the defense, would not confirm that, though, he did call her a “percipient witness to certain conversations.”

What Has Leah Remini Said About Scientology Over The Years?

In some respects, it almost feels like there’s nothing the actress hasn’t discussed when it comes to her Scientologist past and the aftermath of her exit from the church. Some of her experiences were chronicled in the A&E docuseries, Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath, which was widely watched upon its debut. The program ultimately earned the star two Primetime Emmy Awards. Aside from the show, Remini has opened up about losing friends after leaving the religion. She’s also shared thoughts on the one person she thinks can bring down Scientology: Tom Cruise. 

The religion heavily factored into Danny Masterson’s first trial, which is a major reason why Judge Olmedo was unhappy with the opening statements. Early on, Olmedo declared that the case was “not going to be inundated with Scientology.” According to early reports on the retrial, she wants that notion to remain intact.

Should Leah Remini end up taking the stand though, one has to wonder if the judge’s goal will remain unaffected. A testimony from Remini appears to be far from a sure thing at this point, and it’s unknown if she’ll appear frequently moving forward amid Danny Masterson’s latest rape case.

Noted actor Danny Masterson was charged with three counts of rape back in 2020 and ultimately went on trial in October 2022. From there, the case progressed and saw a number of notable developments, including a surprising testimony from a friend of one of Masterson’s accusers. Ultimately though, a mistrial was declared in November, and it was later confirmed that there would be a retrial this year. Now, that all parties are officially set to return to the courtroom, and we have the details as to exactly why a second round of legal proceedings is happening. 

Why Is Danny Masterson’s Rape Case Being Heard Again?

This second case is the result of the jury’s deliberation during the first time around, as noted by Variety. The jurors were unable to reach a unanimous verdict but, more specifically, they couldn’t reach a consensus on all three counts. It’s worth noting that the final roster included a pair of alternates because two of the original 12 jurors tested positive for COVID. Because they were “hopelessly deadlocked,” Judge Charlaine Olmedo declared the mistrial, and the date for the new trial was initially set for March 27. The That ‘70s Show actor is currently facing the same three charges and, if found guilty, he could serve 45 years to life in state prison. 

The charges against the star come from three Jane Does, all of whom accuse him of forcibly raping them between 2001 and 2003. When it came to the first count, the jury voted 10-2 towards acquittal, with the two being 8-4 and 7-5 in that same direction. Danny Masterson’s lawyer, Mark Cohen (who requested a mistrial multiple times throughout the case sought a complete dismissal after the hung jury. However, Judge Olmedo denied the request. Upon the decision, two of the accusers spoke out, saying that they were “pleased” that Masterson would “not be permitted to simply escape criminal accountability.” 

How Will This Second Trial Compare To The First?

This new trial will reportedly be conducted in a fashion that’s very similar to the last one. According to Variety, a key difference, however, is that new corroborating and expert witnesses are to be brought in. It’s also said that another woman could testify as a “prior bad acts” witness, which is an uncharged individual who speaks in order to attest to negative behavior patterns. All in all, the prosecution reportedly wants to utilize more testimonies in order to emphasize how one’s memory can be affected by drugs and alcohol. 

On the other side of the equation, Mark Cohen stated that the defense’s witness list is “basically the same as the last one.” So with that, it seems very likely that once again, Masterson will choose not to take the stand himself. Cohen and his team seem to have been strongly opposed to the notion of another trial, as they believe that with the same evidence involved, a new jury would also end up deadlocked. Speaking of which, 200 potential jurors are being interviewed before the final 12 are selected. There are also set to be eight alternates in place.

When it comes to this case, one also has to consider just how heavily Scientology will factor into the matter. The Ranch actor is a member of the church, and the women who’ve accused him of sexual assault were as well at the time that the alleged encounters took place. The polarizing religion’s impact on the case is a major reason why Judge Olmedo wasn't happy with the opening statements. To that point, the legal official stated early on that the trial was “not going to be inundated with Scientology.” 

Testimonies in Danny Masterson’s latest case will start being heard on Monday, April 24. It’s hard to say how long all parties will remain in the courtroom but, the judge says that it won’t last as long as the first.

Fans of Fox’s beloved sitcom hit That ‘70s Show have been able to go back in time anew, thanks to the recent release of Netflix's That ‘90s Show. The generation-jumping spinoff centers on Eric and Donna’s daughter Leia during a summer spent with her grandparents in Point Place, and it definitely includes cameos from the majority of the original That ‘70s Show stars. The most obvious absence is, of course, Danny Masterson as Hyde, and the sitcom doesn't really delve into any big reveals about the character's "current" situation in 1995. However, star Debra Jo Rupp has some thoughts on where her surrogate second son is.

Debra Jo Rupp, who reprised her role as the beloved Kitty Forman on That ‘90s Show, spoke to Vulture about returning to the Forman house for the new Netflix series, and  about her life and career That ‘70s Show. While fans know how most of the characters turned out by the mid-'90s, Hyde was purposefully left out, due to Danny Masterson being charged with rape and legal issues surrounding those allegations. Still, that didn’t stop Rupp from gamely offering up her take on where Steven Hyde may be, and it seems pretty on point. In her words:

Hyde traveling overseas would definitely make sense as to why he wasn’t in Point Place with the rest of his friends. Being more of a free-minded person, with and without marijuana involved, he probably wanted and/or needed to figure some stuff out, and just went wherever life took him. 

All things considered, Hyde likely hasn't spent the prior 15-20 years toiling away over manual labor. When asked if she thought he might have landed in jail, Debra Jo Rupp shared a slightly more specific outlook, saying:

It was definitely unfortunate that That ‘90s Show didn’t really explain where Hyde was, thought it might’ve been for the best in the long run, since it allows fans (and the stars themselves) to come up with their own creative ideas about what Hyde's been up to. Hopefully, if there is a second season - and that’s a big if considering Netflix's cancellation habits lately - it’s possible that we’ll get a mention or two of him at that point. So, for now, we’ll just have to go with the flow and theorizeabout just what he’s been up to since the 1970s wrapped up. 

After Netflix ordered That ‘90s Show to series, Danny Masterson opened up about the sequel series, showing his support for the show, as well as Debra Jo Rupp and Kurtwood Smith. He clearly wasn’t able to be part of the Netflix spin-off, but at least he's seemingly kept it cordial on social media. He likely has his own thoughts about where Hyde is, though many fans may not want to hear it. 

Meanwhile, after the stars reunited on the red carpet for That ‘90s Show, it was like nothing had changed, and the nostalgia was at an all-time high. Although reviews for That ‘90s Show have been mixed, no one can truly deny the show has a knack for nailing the nostalgic vibes. It should be interesting to see what will happen in a potential second season and just who else could pop up via cameo or namecheck.

Stream the first season of That ‘90s Show now on Netflix with a subscription! Check out the Netflix 2023 TV schedule to see what else is dropping on the streamer this year.

Former That '70s Show and The Ranch actor Danny Masterson was on trial for multiple counts of rape for more than a month, but the case has come to a halt due to the judge declaring a mistrial. The decision came after some complications with the jury, when two members had to be replaced due to positive COVID tests, and the deadlock was not changed.

On November 30, the jury in the Danny Masterson trial (comprised of ten of the original jurors and the two alternates added after the positive COVID tests) was unable to reach a verdict about the three counts of forcible rape, according to Deadline, which could have resulted in up to 45 years in a state prison if he received a guilty verdict. Masterson pleaded not guilty to the charges of rape that allegedly happened between 2001 and 2003, claiming that they were consensual.

The jury was said to be hung on all three counts, with the outlet reporting that ten jurors thought him not guilty and two thought he was guilty on the first count, eight thought him not guilty and four thought him guilty on the second count, and seven thought not guilty and five thought guilty of the third count. The jury's decision could not be unanimous, and mistrial was declared when they were unable to reach a verdict following deliberations. 

The mistrial announcement comes just two days after the jury returned from the Thanksgiving break, as The Associated Press reported back on November 18 that Judge Charlaine Olmedo of the Los Angeles Superior Court had decided to give them the week of Thanksgiving off from their deliberations. At that point, the jury had already deliberated for three days and said they were deadlocked. 

Then, on November 28, The Associated Press shared that two jurors had to be dismissed upon the return from Thanksgiving break due to COVID diagnoses. Two alternate jurors were added, but the case remained deadlocked enough that the judge declared the mistrial two days later. The decision came after almost three weeks of testimony, with closing arguments heard on November 15. Masterson has remained out on a $3.3 million bail since he was charged in 2020.

The judge was said to be unhappy with the opening statements all the way back in October (which included a request for a mistrial), and Danny Masterson's defense team continued pushing for a mistrial in just the second week of the trial. The former actor himself decided not to take the stand and testify on his own behalf. 

According to the report from Deadline, Judge Olmedo stated that a retrial date has been set for March 27, 2023 and a hearing set on January 10. The trial was complicated from the beginning by Scientology as a topic of discussion.

Danny Masterson’s rape trial in Los Angeles has been in motion for the past few weeks and is now nearing its conclusion. The case has been filled with a number of notable developments, including a surprising witness testimony for the prosecution, which proved to be helpful for the defense. Despite that though, Masterson and his team have faced a number of setbacks amid the legal proceedings. And as the case prepares to close, it’s being reported that the actor has chosen not to take the stand.

It was on Monday that the Ranch star revealed that he would not testify in his trial, according to Rolling Stone. As the news outlet notes, it’s not uncommon for defendants to make this kind of decision in a case like this one. However, there have been recent instances in which individuals have chosen to take the stand. Kevin Spacey and director Paul Haggis did that very thing, with Spacey not being found liable and Haggis losing his case.

Danny Masterson was formally charged with three counts of forcible rape in 2020, with Jane Does claiming that the actor sexually assaulted them between 2001 and 2003. Masterson, who has denied the allegations on multiple occasions, faces 45 years to life in prison if he is convicted. The actor and his attorneys have arguably experienced their biggest setbacks whenever they've attempted to call for a mistrial.

One of the earliest instances of that occurred when opening statements were given. Masterson’s lead lawyer, Philip Cohen, argued that one of the plaintiff’s testimonies could’ve induced bias, thus justifying a mistrial. Judge Charlaine Olmedo denied that request and struck down another one during the second week of the trial. Cohen tried once more to get the case dismissed on Monday but was unsuccessful. 

The That ‘70s Show alum isn’t the only person who hasn’t seen things play out the way that he’d like. The Church of Scientology, which was sued alongside the star in 2019, has also run into difficulties. The alleged sexual assault victims filed suit against the church for purportedly stalking them after they came forward with their claims against the now-46-year-old actor. During his own testimony, veteran rock star Cedric Zavala claimed that he and his wife (one of the Jane Does) were shadowed by the organization for years. The church has tried other methods to stop the case from going to court like trying to enforce a religious arbitration, though that tactic failed multiple times.

Scientology itself has played a pretty substantial role in the rape case, to the point that Judge Olmedo took issue with just how much it came up during the opening statements. She was adamant that the trial would not be “inundated with Scientology.” But an ex-Sociologist disagrees with that notion, since the defendant and the accusers – who were part of the church when the alleged incidents took place – have had such firm ties to the religion. 

Closing statements in the trial are set to begin this week, and one has to wonder whether Scientology will be brought up again as both sides say their piece. And with Danny Masterson having opted not to speak, we can only speculate as to how that decision may ultimately factor into the jury’s eventual verdict.

As we speak the rape trial involving That ‘70s Show alum Danny Masterson continues in Los Angeles. There have been a number of notable developments thus far, including a surprising witness testimony early on, but there’s one subject that's been casting a shadow over the case since it began. Scientology has been a major topic of discussion thus far, seeing as Masterson is a member of the church and the plaintiffs once were as well. When it comes to the latter group, a major point of contention within the case has reportedly been why they didn’t report Masterson’s alleged actions around the time that they occurred. Now, a former scientologist has provided some thoughts on that amid the proceedings.

Mike Rinder, who was a practicing scientologist for 50 years, sat down for a wide-ranging conversation involving Danny Masterson’s case, which he has no direct involvement with. Rinder, whose comments were rebuked by the church after his interview with Slate, addressed the controversial religion’s impact on the proceedings and whether it could truly be left out of the conversations. He also made claims regarding how the church can impact one’s life when one is a member of it: 

If one is reading Mike Rinder’s statements correctly, he seems to be suggesting that in order to understand why the alleged victims didn’t reach out to the police while members of the church, the public must look at the decision through the lens of Scientology. And with that in mind, it sounds like he believes it’s difficult to separate religion from the facts presented in the trial. There are some within the case who would probably disagree with the idea of heavily analyzing things from the religious entity’s perspective. 

Presiding Judge Charlaine Olmedo was displeased with opening statements, according to early reports. Olmedo apparently believed that both the prosecution and defense overstepped the boundaries by heavily mentioning the church and their purported practices. The judge reportedly understood that the “witnesses’ lives may have been completely inundated with Scientology.” Olmedo also declared that “this trial is not going to be inundated with Scientology.” Mike Rinder, for his part, went on to opine that the court official can’t truly separate the topic from the trial. In his viewpoint, it’s “inevitable” that the two will be intertwined throughout the legal proceedings: 

It was in 2017 that Danny Masterson was first investigated by police over allegations of sexual assault from three women. Masterson was charged with raping multiple women in 2020. The actor has denied the accusations on several occasions and, all the while, the Church of Scientology itself has been entangled in a case related to the rape trial. In 2019, Masterson and the church were sued by the accusers, who claimed that they were intimidated and stalked for coming forward with their alleged accounts. Rock star Cedric Zavala of Mars Volta also testified that he and his wife, one of the plaintiffs, were stalked by the church for six years.

Danny Masterson’s trial is set to conclude on November 19. As time goes on, the public will just have to see whether Mike Rinder is right in believing that the religious practice could be left out when discussing the witness’ actions and other relevant topics.

The second week of Danny Masterson’s rape trial in Los Angeles concluded on Friday, and there were a number of notable developments over the past few days. Week 2 opened with a surprising testimony and (another) request for a mistrial from the actor’s legal team. Additional testimonies were also heard on Friday, and one of them came from a noted rock star. The Mars Volta lead singer Cedric Zavala took the stand to testify, as his wife is one of several women who’ve claimed that they were sexually assaulted by Masterson during the 2000s. And while giving his account, Zavala claimed that he and his family are being stalked by the Church of Scientology, which he and his spouse once belonged to. 

Cedric Zavala specifically alleged that he, his wife, (who’s only been referred to as “Jane Doe 3”) and her family have been stalked by the church for the past six years. According to Insider, Zavala also started his testimony by confirming that he did recognize Danny Masterson (who still belongs to the church) while in the courtroom. Zavala, who married his wife in 2008, also stated that during conversations that they had at their home between 2010 and 2011, she disclosed the purported incident with Masterson, who was formally charged with rape in 2020.

Per the singer, his spouse hesitated when it came to discussing the alleged situation and, once she did, she felt “seemed angry, embarrassed, and relieved.” The rocker also said that he was “angry and furious” after the conversation. When discussing his wife’s initial demeanor during the discussions, he said: 

Stalking has been brought up in this case before. In 2019, Cedric Zavala’s wife and three other accusers sued Danny Masterson and the Church of Scientology. The plaintiffs claimed that they were followed by agents of the church (which had other cases playing out in court) after coming forward with their sexual assault claims against the That ‘70s Show alum. One accuser, Chrissie Bixler, specifically asserted that she was chased in her car, had her security system disabled and was harassed online among other things.

Though this case isn’t centered around Scientology, the controversial religion has played a major role in the legal proceedings. Presiding judge Charlaine Olmedo made it clear from the jump that she did not want the church to inundate the case. It was for that reason that she was displeased with the opening statements made by the prosecution and the defense. 

Danny Masterson’s rape trial is set to continue this coming Monday. The case will continue to welcome a number of other testimonies, and Cedric Zavala may not be the only high-profile witness. Ex-scientologist Lisa Marie Presley could also take the stand. The trial is set to conclude on November 19.

Danny Masterson’s rape trial has entered its second week, and the proceedings seem to be getting even more tense. When the trial kicked off last week, things got off to a rough start, as the judge took issue with the opening statements. Now, at the top of this week, the case has been rocked by a surprising witness testimony. Not only that, but Masterson’s defense team (once again) asked for a mistrial. This time as a result of the individual’s statements. 

Today, the judge and jury heard from Shaun Fabos, who was a friend of Jane Doe 1 (or Jen B) and worked for her parents around the time that Danny Masterson allegedly sexually assaulted her. Per Variety, though he was called upon to speak on behalf of the prosecution, his testimony seemingly provided a leg-up for the defense. Fabos mentioned that he went on a trip to Florida with Jen B and her family, something he previously mentioned to an investigator for the defense but never to the prosecution. The plaintiff said that after she was allegedly sexually assaulted by Masterson in 2003, she had bruises on her hip and wrist. However, Fabos – who was allegedly told about the purported incident shortly after it happened – claims that such markings were not present on her body during the group excursion.

Shaun Fabos was said to be “evasive at times” while on the stand, and Judge Charlaine Olmedo compared him to a “gang witness.” That term refers to one whose testimony could change depending on who’s present for it. Ultimately, Olmedo dubbed him a “hostile witness,” which gave the prosecution the ability to ask him leading questions. Phillip Cohen, the That ‘70s Show alum’s lead defense attorney, eventually called for the aforementioned mistrial. According to Deadline, Cohen’s request, which was ultimately denied, was based on the witness’ perceived level of credibility: 

During his testimony, the witness also notably mentioned that he’d grown up in the Church of Scientology but had only really adapted the religion “in the last two years.” The church has been a major topic of discussion in the case thus far, and was a major reason why the judge was unhappy with the opening statements. Early on, she declared that the “trial is not going to be inundated with Scientology.”

Danny Masterson was first investigated by police in 2017, before being formally charged with rape in 2020. Four women sued him and the Church of Scientology in 2019, alleging that they’d been stalked after going public with claims against the star. (The church tried a number of tactics to stop the case from going to court.) In 2021, Jen B testified against Masterson and claimed that he sexually assaulted her at his home in 2003. Masterson has pleaded not guilty. 

The case is expected to continue everyday this week, except for Wednesday. The trial will include testimony from a number of others, including Lisa Marie Presley, before it formally concludes on November 19.

Several years after being accused of rape by multiple women, Danny Masterson is now on trial. All the while, the Church of Scientology is engaged in a case that’s similar to the actor’s. The polarizing religious group has been a significant factor in the That ‘70s Show star’s case, particularly since he himself is a scientologist and each of his alleged victims also were at some point as well. And at present, it would seem that these scientology connections are major reasons why the presiding judge was unhappy with the opening statements in the trial. 

Said remarks were made in a Los Angeles courtroom on Tuesday. A woman known solely as “Jane Doe 1” was the first witness to testify and made several allegations against the Church of Scientology. One of those claims was that church officials allegedly discourage members from “fraternizing with the enemy.” According to Variety, she later proceeded to break down the beliefs of the church. Judge Charlaine Olmedo expressed displeasure with the comments during a break: 

In other words, Judge Olmedo doesn’t want the widely-discussed religion to become the focus of the case. The trade goes on to say that Reinhold Mueller, the lead prosecutor, also referenced the church and its purported methods in his own statement. He reportedly did so in order to explain why two of the alleged victims didn’t take their allegations to the police sooner. Nevertheless, Olmedo reportedly believed that both sides overstepped boundaries when it came to their opening statements. 

Three women accused Danny Masterson of sexual assault in 2017, with each alleging that their experiences with the actor took place in the early 2000s. It was during the summer of 2020, after an investigation, that Masterson was formally charged with raping multiple women. Back in 2019, four women also sued the actor and the Church of Scientology on the grounds of purported intimidation and stalking due to going public with sexual assault allegations against Masterson. In May 2021, a preliminary hearing was held, during which a woman testified about an encounter with Masterson. That same year, he pleaded not guilty to the accusations. 

Ahead of this recent trial, the actor’s team had attempted to halt the upcoming trial in a few ways. One such tactic failed twice and was also used by the Church of Scientology. After opening statements were made by the prosecution this week, the former Ranch star’s lawyer requested a mistrial, arguing that the testimony could add bias to the case. Said request was ultimately denied.

The trial is reportedly set to proceed on a five-day-a-week schedule and will reportedly conclude on November 19, per Deadline. A number of witnesses are set to be heard, including former scientologist Lisa Marie Presley. Only time will tell just how large of a role scientology actually factors into Danny Masterson’s legal conflict.

The legal team representing former That ‘70s Show star Danny Masterson has recently made attempts to squash his impending trial over accusations of rape and more, from falling back on previously failed tactics to using billionaire Rick Caruso’s anti-Scientology ads as justification to delay the proceedings. Such pleas were rejected by Judge Charlaine Olmedo, however, who confirmed the actor’s trial would go forward as planned, while making other rulings on the case. But it appears there may be plans in place for the prosecution to call up former Scientologist Lisa Marie Presley as a witness.

Danny Masterson’s trial is set to begin on Tuesday, October 11, barring any successful last-minute attempts to stall things. He’s facing three charges of forcible rape involving three women, with the alleged crimes taking place from 2001-2003, which could land him in prison for upwards of 45 years if he’s found guilty of all three. And it appears there’s a chance the case could be tipped in one direction or another by Lisa Marie Presley, who’d earlier this year publicly supported the release of Austin Butler as her father in Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis. 

According to Tony Ortega’s The Underground Bunker, while Judge Olmedo reportedly denied the prosecution’s request to bring in another female accuser as an expert witness, it’s expected that Presley will be called in as a witness at some point in the trial. Details about her potential connections aren’t known, for obvious reasons, but her involvement would likely confirm suspicions that she was the “Lisa” being referenced during Masterson’s preliminary hearing in 2021. 

During the hearing, the victim identifying as Jane Doe 1 made multiple references to a friend named “Lisa,” who was connected to a friend of Masterson’s named Luke Watson, an actor that Presley was romantically tied to in the late 1990s. Both of them were heavily involved with the Church of Scientology at the time, with Presley remaining a follower until 2016, when she abruptly exited tied to her attempts to call leader David Miscavige out for the treatment of his father Ron, who’d burned many bridges upon leaving the Church in 2012. 

Jane Doe 1 claimed that after Danny Masterson sexually assaulted her in 2003, he demanded she not tell anyone, saying in part:

Despite suspicions that Lisa Marie Presley was being referenced, she hadn't been specifically tied to the trial in any way. As such, her arrival in the courtroom could have major reverberations depending on what she'd be testifying about. 

Masterson’s last regular TV role before everything went widely public was alongside his former That ‘70s Show co-star Ashton Kutcher for The Ranch, which is still available to stream with a Netflix subscription. The actor will not be involved with the streaming service’s upcoming sequel series That ‘90s Show, which wrapped filming in July after bringing back other co-stars such as Topher Grace, Laura Prepon, Mila Kunis and more. Albeit only for super-limited returns.

With the trial kicking off on October 11 with jury selection, more details will likely be coming soon, though it’s unclear how long the legal drama could play out before a verdict is reached.

After being accused of rape by multiple women several years ago, That ‘70s Show alum Danny Masterson is now preparing to head to trial. As Masterson’s case plays out, the Church of Scientology is also in a legal battle as a result of his situation. The actor’s four accusers sued the organization for allegedly launching a “vicious campaign of harassment against them” after they made claims against Masterson, a noted scientologist. Now, in the hopes of preventing the case from moving forward, the church has employed a legal tactic, one that has been attempted twice already.

The Church of Scientology petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court this past week, asking that the court enforce a religious arbitration that would prevent the four women from suing it, per Deadline. The church previously tried this same legal method only to have it fail within both a California appeals court and the state’s supreme court. The CoS argues that the appellate court’s ruling should be overturned because its first amendment rights are being violated: 

The petition also argues that through its ruling, California’s Second Appellate Court sought to “weaponize the First Amendment against religious freedom.” In the church’s opinion, the First Amendment “requires limitations applicable only to religious — and not to secular — arbitration agreements.”

The California Appellate Court ruled this past January that the four accusers, former scientologists, were not bound to such a thing. This was because each of the plaintiffs have since left the church. The group sued the church (and Danny Masterson) in 2019 and claimed that experienced harassment and intimidation from the church after making the rape allegations against the sitcom vet. They’ve accused the church of stalking them and issuing death threats, among other things.

Danny Masterson came under investigation after being accused of the alleged assaults in 2016 and 2017. The women claimed that the purported incidents occurred at the star’s home in 2001 and 2003. Masterson was fired from Netflix’s The Ranch in 2017 as a result of the claims and in 2020, was charged with raping multiple women. One plaintiff, identified as Jen B., testified during a preliminary hearing in May 2021 and detailed an encounter with the actor, during which he allegedly assaulted her and threatened her with a gun. The 45-year-old Masterson has denied the allegations. 

As of this writing, the actor is out on $3.3 million bail and is set to stand trial this fall. Should he be found guilty, he faces a maximum sentence of 45 years to life. It remains to be seen just how things play out in that situation, as is also the case with the Church of Scientology’s latest move. It’s currently unclear as to when SCOTUS might deliver a decision on that matter.

When it comes to hanging out from friends down the street and doing the same things one did the previous week, it's safe to say "watching stuff on Netflix" would be one of those things. (At least now, as opposed to during the '70s.) So it's totally logical for Netflix to have announced the sequel series That '90s Show going into development, with O.G. That '70s Show stars Kurtwood Smith and Debra Jo Rupp. Fans were definitely pumped to hear the news, especially since the flagship sitcom hasn't been available to stream anywhere for a while, and even former star Danny Masterson spoke up about it as he awaits trial for multiple rape charges.

After Netflix went public with its That '90s Show news, Danny Masterson took to his Instagram account for his first post in nearly a month, and expressed how excited he is to see it come to fruition. In his words:

Danny Masterson definitely wasn't hiding his glee in seeing that the TV universe he helped populate will continue with new stories anchored by his former co-stars Kurtwood Smith, who will soon be seen in the limited series about Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes, and Debra Jo Rupp, who actually hinted at a return to the '70s Show-verse when CinemaBlend spoke with her for WandaVision. (Smith and Rupp will also serve as executive producers.) 

While Netflix didn't come right out and say it, it's expected that other former stars will make return appearances on the streaming spinoff, considering the ten-episode season will center on Red and Kitty Foreman taking in Eric and Donna's daughter Leia for the summer. As such, fans are definitely hoping to see current Home Economics star Topher Grace and Orange is the New Black vet Laura Prepon reprising their roles, presumably in the premiere and/or finale. Not to mention returns from real-life couple Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis as Kelso and Jackie, along with NCIS star Wilmer Valderrama as a presumably less trope-fueled Fez. 

It is highly unlikely Danny Masterson will get a shot at reprising his character of Steven Hyde, however. While the actor spent years working with Ashton Kutcher (and other sporadic That '70s Show vets) at Netflix for the sitcom The Ranch, he was booted from the show and Netflix in general in the midst of resurfaced sexual assault and rape allegations.  Masterson was formally charged with multiple counts of rape in mid-2020 and, after prior trips to the courtroom, is currently awaiting a November trial, after which he could face quite a lengthy stint behind bars if found guilty.

You can check out Danny Masterson's Instagram post in full below. 

With co-creators Bonnie Turner and Terry Turner also coming back as executive producers, and with former writer/producer Gregg Mettler serving as showrunner, That '90s Show is still in the early stages of development, but hopefully fans will be able to take a trip back to 1995 Point Place in late 2022 or early 2023. In the meantime, check out everything that's yet to premiere in the 2021 Fall TV season.

Danny Masterson, the actor known for his roles on TV shows like That ‘70s Show and The Ranch, has found himself at the center of headlines over the past few years now. This began back in 2017 when police began investigating the actor after three women alleged that he sexually assaulted them during the early 2000s. This ultimately led to Danny Masterson’s dismissal from The Ranch, with his character being written out in a brutal way. Last summer, Masterson was formally charged with raping multiple women. Masterson pleaded not guilty back in January and, this week, a preliminary hearing has begun, during which one of the women has testified.

During the preliminary hearing this past Tuesday, one of Danny Masterson’s accusers took to the stand to detail her alleged experiences with the actor. The woman, identified as Jen B., described herself as a second-generation Scientologist, per Page Six. Masterson is also a member of the church of the Church of Scientology, and Jen B. alleges that the two met during the late ‘90s/early 2000s when they were both part of a social circle linked to Scientology.

Jen B. alleged that the reported rape occurred on April 25, 2003, when she went to Danny Masterson’s house to pick up a set of keys. She went on to describe the alleged incident, saying that she was feeling queasy and drifting in and out of consciousness about 20 minutes after receiving a vodka cocktail from Masterson, at her request. She then claimed she could not resist as Masterson allegedly threw her into a jacuzzi, after which she reportedly needed help from a friend as she could not stand on her own.

Following this, Jen B. went on to claim that Danny Masterson carried her upstairs and put her in the shower while she was vomiting and that when she woke, the actor was reportedly cleaning her bare breasts. She says that though she tried to fight him off, she lost consciousness and the actor allegedly threw her on his bed. Jen B. alleges that she woke up to Masterson raping her and that she pulled on his hair in an attempt to get him off her body. She then alleges that Masterson pulled out a gun in an attempt to threaten her.

Jen B. claims the leadership of the church, of which her parents and friends were members, urged her not to go to the police at the time. During her cross-examination, she was challenged on differences in her account and her 2004 police report and, while she acknowledged that there were differences, she said she gave truthful accounts in every case.

Danny Masterson is also involved in another legal matter, as he and the Church of Scientology are facing a 2019 civil lawsuit. In the lawsuit, four women alleged that they were intimidated and stalked by the Church of Scientology after they reported Masterson for alleged sexual assault. A judge later ruled that the lawsuit has to be settled in mediation within the Church of Scientology.

After Tuesday, the preliminary hearing regarding the initial three women is set to continue for three days, as prosecutors will continue to present evidence of Danny Masterson’s alleged actions. If Masterson is convicted, he could face up to 45 years in prison.

The civil lawsuit brought against actor Danny Masterson must be heard through arbitration with the Church of Scientology rather than a courtroom. That’s the most important takeaway from a ruling handed down by the Los Angeles Superior Court. Judge Steven Kleifield ruled that because there was already an existing arbitration agreement in place, this current lawsuit, filed in August of 2019, by four women who claimed they were stalked and intimidated after making allegations against Masterson, must be heard through “religious arbitration.”

The court order was obtained by People, and it states the arbitration will be held on June 30, 2021. The women at the center of the case were apparently hoping for a civil trial that was not mediated by the Church Of Scientology, but all but one were reportedly members of the Church and signed agreements saying they wouldn’t sue, per Fox News. As such, it seems the one plaintiff who did not sign the agreement could file a separate civil lawsuit, but it’s unclear if that’s going to happen.

This civil case is separate from the ongoing criminal proceedings against Danny Masterson, though it involves many of the same parties and some of the same allegations. The LA District Attorney’s Office charged the actor and former star of That 70s Show and The Ranch with three counts of rape by force or fear. All of the alleged assaults took place between 2001 and 2003, and if convicted on all of the counts, he could be sentenced to 45 years to life in prison. The trial is set to begin on January 6th.

The civil lawsuit evolved from the criminal matter. Four of the victims and one of their spouses joined together to file a lawsuit claiming they were harassed after they came forward with their stories to police. One claims her dogs were poisoned. Others say they received harassing phone calls, threats and property damage, allegedly to intimidate them against cooperating. There is also ongoing legal action against the Church Of Scientology itself, and some of the women have claimed efforts were also made to keep the story out of the press.

Masterson’s attorney Andrew Brettler called the judge’s decision on the arbitration the “correct result” and said his client would participate in arbitration. The actor has repeatedly denied the allegations against him. His criminal attorney, Thomas Mesereau, released the following statement back in June…

At this point, it’s unclear if the plaintiffs will simply accept the arbitration with the Church of Scientology or if they’ll appeal or push for some other kind of resolution. With Masterson’s trial beginning this week, it’s likely there will be some resolution in that matter prior to the currently scheduled arbitration date at the end of June. We will keep you updated with any new developments.

Danny Masterson is currently out of jail after posting more than $3 million in bail following his arrest on charges of rape. He only spent a few short hours in jail before posting bond, but an arraignment is currently scheduled for September 18, during which Masterson will face the charges for the first time. However, it’s not just Masterson that has been dealing with legalities related to the incidents: The Church of Scientology is dealing with its own lawsuit.

The other lawsuit has been ongoing since 2019 and involves four women who have claimed the Church of Scientology was involved in “conspiracy to cover up that Daniel Masterson sexually assaulted four young women,” according to documentants uncovered by The Blast.

Danny Masterson and his wife Bijou Philips are both noted Scientologists. The women who are involved in the case against The Ranch star were all former members of the Church of Scientology; each state the Church of Scientology tried to cover up what happened. The cases harken back to the early 2000s after which Masterson married Philips in 2011 after getting engaged to her a couple of years previously.

As part of the lawsuit, one of the women, Danny Masterson’s exes, Chrissie Bixler, has accused the Church of Scientology of various forms of harassment, including running her off of the road, targeting her credit card and more. In one notable incident, she also says her dog died during this time due to traumatic injuries and she believes it is related to these other incidents.

Another plaintiff, Marie Bobette Riales, says she was similarly targeted. In her report, she says a window was broken in her child’s bedroom and her food truck was reportedly vandalized. Two other women have claimed similar tactics to these. In each case, the incidents happened after the women came forward with allegations against Danny Masterson.

Earlier in 2020, the Church of Scientology had said that a Danny Masterson stalking suit – which even then alleged members of the Church had stalked and invaded their privacy after making complaints about Masterson’s treatment of them – should have gone to religious arbitration. The argument the Church of Scientology made at the time was that the four women who filed suit were subject to “ecclesiastical justice procedures” when they signed up to be a part of the church, per THR.

The Church of Scientology has denied each of these claims, but the civil lawsuit is also still-unresolved. Meanwhile, Danny Masterson was arrested on 3 counts of rape by force or fear in mid-June after allegations regarding the assaults initially came out in 2017. The actor had since been written off of Netflix's The Ranch and the arrest itself comes after the LAPD long-investigated reports he had sexually assaulted multiple women in the early 2000s. Specific events cited during his arrest occurred back in 2001 and 2003 and if convicted, he could face up to 45 years in prison. We’ll keep you updated as both of these cases continues to play out in the courtroom.

Up until a few days ago Danny Masterson and his wife Bijou Phillips were both active on social media, sharing family photos and more. Now, while Masterson’s accounts are still active, following an arrest made by the LAPD during which the former The Ranch actor has been accused of raping several women, Bijou Phillips has deleted her Instagram.

It’s not uncommon for celebrities to take flack on the internet and sometimes even leave social media after dealing with the public, but that's often heightened when the internet comes together collectively to "cancel" someone.  This week, Danny Masterson was charged with raping three women in incidents that occurred earlier in his acting career back in 2001 and 2003. Masterson has been accused of raping a 23-year-old woman in 2001 and two other women, ages 28 and 23, two years later. He’s facing three counts of “forcible rape” in the court system.

Prior to the arrest, Masterson’s former girlfriend Chrissie Carnell Bixler had previously spoken out about how she feels Danny Masterson and the Church of Scientology previously treated her. A statement she made back in 2019 mentioned that she had been told by the church to protect the former That ‘70s Show actor at all costs, noting (via The Daily Beast),

Chrissie Bixler also previously was interviewed for Leah Remini’s show, Scientology and the Aftermath, to speak about her experience. Along with the Danny Masterson accusation, she has also claimed the Church of Scientology has poisoned two of her dogs. Remini also spoke out after Masterson’s arrest. She said she is starting to feel as if “victims are being heard.”

Although his wife has shuttered her account, Danny Masterson has kept his social media accounts online, despite the fact it has now been peppered with comments related to the charges currently pending against him. Earlier last week, Masterson posted more that $3 million in bail. The actor’s lawyer also posted a statement regarding Masterson and Bijou Phillips alleged feelings on the matter (via Inside Edition):

An arraignment has already been scheduled and Danny Masterson will be due on court to face charges on September 18. If convicted, The Ranch actor could face up to 45 years in prison.

That ‘70s Show and The Ranch alum Danny Masterson was formally charged with raping three women this week. The investigations regarding the alleged sexual assaults started back in 2017, leading to Masterson's firing from Netflix, and have been ongoing. Following the recent news, Leah Remini had a strong reaction to Danny Masterson facing criminal charges.

Danny Masterson, a member of the Church of Scientology, has been under police investigation since 2017, when three women publicly accused him of sexually assaulting them in the early 2000s. The allegations against the actor were meant to be the focus of an episode of Leah Remini’s A&E series, Scientology and the Aftermath, but that episode was reportedly shelved. In light of Masterson’s formal rape charges, though, Remini took to Twitter with a powerful reaction to the news. Here’s what she wrote:

Leah Remini did end up covering the rape allegations against Danny Masterson in the two-hour series finale of Scientology and the Aftermath, which aired back in August 2019. Remini, a former Scientologist, sat down and interviewed two of the three women who accused Masterson of sexual assault.

Last year, Danny Masterson and the Church of Scientology were sued by those same three women, who claimed they had been targeted by the Church of Scientology through stalking and intimidation methods after having reported Masterson to the Los Angeles Police Department in 2016 and 2017. In that same vein, Leah Remini alleged that the Church of Scientology sent hundreds of hateful letters to A&E advertisers, reportedly so the network would pull the episode interviewing the sexual assault accusers.

After the allegations initially went public, Danny Masterson was ultimately fired from Netflix’s The Ranch in December 2017, months after the allegations came to light. Masterson's character was written off the show in brutal fashion, and his character was replaced with one played by Dax Shepard.

According to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, the rape charges against Masterson took place by “force or fear,” while all of the alleged sexual assaults happened inside his home. If Masterson is convicted of all three cases, he could be facing up to 45 years in prison. The actor, who was released after posting a $3.3 million bail, currently has his arraignment scheduled for September.

Leah Remini has long held strong opinions about the Church of Scientology. Since leaving the religion years ago, Remini has openly discussed her experiences within the church. While she hasn’t been the only ex-member to speak out over the years, Remini has been the most vocal, giving interviews that led to the aforementioned Emmy-winning docu-series on A&E. You can check out her tweet below.

It might be a while before there’s any more information regarding Danny Masterson’s charges, as well as how his case will move forward. As always, stay tuned to CinemaBlend for updates.

Danny Masterson, best known on the small screen for his roles on Fox's That '70s Show and Netflix's The Ranch, has been charged with raping multiple women. Investigations into Masterson for alleged sexual assault began back in 2017.

The actor, currently 44-years-old, is charged with raping three women, according to Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey and the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office. Danny Masterson's alleged rapes took place by "force or fear" in separate incidents between 2001 and 2003. Masterson is accused of raping a 23-year-old woman in 2001, between January and December.

The other two allegations for which Danny Masterson has been charged took place in 2003. In April of that year, Masterson is accused of raping a 28-year-old woman, as well as a 23-year-old woman between October and December.

According to Reinhold Mueller, Deputy District Attorney of the Los Angeles County Sex Crimes Division, all three of the alleged rapes took place at Danny Masterson's home in Hollywood Hills. The office of the District Attorney chose not to file sexual assault charges from two other cases against the actor. For one case, there was reportedly insufficient evidence to prosecute, while the other was declined due to the statute of limitations.

According to the charges, Danny Masterson would have been between 25- and 27-years-old at the time of the alleged rapes. If Masterson is convicted in all three cases, he faces a potential maximum sentence of 45 years to life, to be served in a state prison. The case currently remains under investigation.

Accusations of sexual assault against Danny Masterson became public in early 2017, and he was ultimately fired from his role on Netflix's The Ranch in December of 2017. His character was written out and he was replaced by Dax Shepard. Although all the details of the investigation into Masterson weren't public, his status as a member of the Church of Scientology and an episode of Leah Remini's Scientology and the Aftermath raised questions about the handling of the accusations against him in early 2019.

Scientology and the Aftermath reportedly produced an episode centered on Danny Masterson that would feature interviews with Masterson's accusers, and one accuser claimed that the Church of Scientology circulated letters to press A&E and Disney into not airing the episode. The show did cover the allegations against Danny Masterson in its two-hour series finale in August 2019.

The Church of Scientology and Danny Masterson were sued by sexual assault accusers in August 2019, facing claims that the Church targeted them after coming out with their allegations against Masterson. In the lawsuit, four women claimed that they were stalked and intimidated by the Church of Scientology after reporting Masterson. Less than a year later, Masterson faces three charges of rape.

Danny Masterson's arraignment is scheduled for September, so the case against him in Los Angeles County likely won't be resolved for quite a while. Stay tuned to CinemaBlend for more updates on the case, as well as the latest in TV and movie news.

The end is nigh for The Ranch. Netflix renewed the sitcom for a final Season 4, and it's being broken up into two parts. Part 7, as Netflix calls it, will be 10 episodes premiering Friday, September 13, 2019, with Part 8 to end the comedy in 2020.

The official trailer was just released, showing another That '70s Show reunion for The Ranch, albeit one without Danny Masterson as Rooster after the actor was fired during filming for Season 3. Instead, Ashton Kutcher is being reunited with Kurtwood Smith (aka Eric's dad Red Forman), who returns as Old Man Peterson, a character he played a handful of times in The Ranch Season 2 in 2017 and the Season 3 premiere in 2018.

Check out the Season 4 first half, aka Part 7, trailer:

That '70s Show alum and current NCIS star Wilmer Valderrama previously made a guest appearance on The Ranch. Laura Prepon told E! they kept asking her to be on the show too. Meanwhile, some other That '70s Show stars are reuniting for another comedy on ABC.

Ashton Kutcher stars in The Ranch as Colt Bennett, and Danny Masterson used to co-star as Jameson "Rooster" Bennett. Rooster is name-dropped in the new trailer, but not shown. The Ranch wrote out Rooster in Part 6, which was released in December 2018.

After Rooster left town in Part 5, word came that his motorcycle was found at the bottom of a cliff. Apparently he went into a curve too fast, his brakes locked up, and he went over the guardrail. The motorcycle was retrieved from the river, but not his body, but Rooster is presumed dead. There was a touching memorial service and Rooster was honored with a toast at Maggie's bar.

The Ranch Season 4/Part 7 will follow Colt's separation from Abby (Elisha Cuthbert) and his not-so-smooth relationship with father Beau (Sam Elliott). This season, Beau will struggle to adjust to semi-retirement, still wanting to work and keep busy. Also, Cousin Luke (Dax Shepard) elopes with Rooster’s ex-girlfriend Mary, taking the money he was going to use to help the Bennett Brothers Ranch. But apparently he returns seeking forgiveness from the family.

I was surprised to learn from TVLine that, by the time The Ranch ends after Part 8 in 2020, it will become Netflix's longest-running multi-camera sitcom to date. Its 80 episodes will put it past the Full House spinoff, Fuller House, which is also ending its run. Amazing.

Will you be watching The Ranch as it winds down on Netflix, or are you too upset that Rooster is no longer on the show? The Ranch Part 7's 10 episodes stream September 13. Here's more on what's ahead for Netflix.

Once best known for his role on That '70s Show and then his move to The Ranch on Netflix, actor Danny Masterson made headlines back in 2017 when he was accused of sexual assault. A member of the Church of Scientology, Masterson was booted from The Ranch by the end of 2017, and his character received a brutal sendoff. Now, Masterson and the Church of Scientology have been sued by sexual assault accusers who claim they were targeted by the Church after making their allegations against Masterson.

A lawsuit was filed on Wednesday, August 14 from four women who claim that they were intimidated and stalked by the Church of Scientology after they reported Danny Masterson for alleged sexual assault. The four women made their allegations against the actor to the Los Angeles Police Department in late 2016 and early 2017, which is when news of the investigations into Masterson became public.

According to the lawsuit (via Variety), the four women were followed by agents of the Church of Scientology in retribution for coming forward with claims against Danny Masterson. Although only two of the women have shared their names publicly and given specifics about what they say has been done to them, their stories are certainly upsetting.

Chrissie Bixler, who is one of the four women who filed the suit, has stated that she was chased in her car in October 2017, she was harassed online, false Craigslist ads were posted soliciting sex in her name, stalked, run off the road, targeted for credit card fraud, and had her home security system disabled. She also states that her dog died due to "traumatic injuries to the trachea and esophagus," as determined by a necropsy.

The second plaintiff who was willing to be identified by name is Marie Bobette Riales, who has similar claims about harassment by agents of Scientology. According to Riales, she was followed and photographed, including while on vacation, had her email accounts hacked, her food truck vandalized and fake reviews shared online, fake ads offering to sell the truck circulated, and the window of her 13-year-old's bedroom was smashed late at night.

The other two women who filed the suit did not identify themselves by name in the suit, but their allegations are reportedly similar to those of Chrissie Bixler and Marie Bobette Riales. One of the unnamed women stated that she hasn't left her home much since filing the initial police reports two years ago. According to the suit, the women are "fair game" due to their moves to involve the authorities.

The lawsuit was only just filed, so it'll undoubtedly be a while before we know what comes of it. The allegations against the Church of Scientology do echo those that people involved in Leah Remini's Scientology and the Aftermath were harassed while putting together an episode concerning the allegations against Danny Masterson. This harassment reportedly resulted in A&E deciding to shelve the episode, although that has not been confirmed.

Leah Remini's Scientology And The Aftermath Is Ending At A&E

Only time will tell what comes of this lawsuit against Danny Masterson and the Church of Scientology. At the very least, I think it's quite safe to say that Danny Masterson won't be involved in any further That '70s Show reunions, and The Ranch is ending next year, even if his odds of returning to that show were any better.

They were just a mixed bag of kids from Wisconsin in the later years of the disco era, hanging out down the street, doing the same old thing they did last week. Yet, that simple premise happened to become one of the most endearing sitcoms of the past quarter century: That '70s Show. Groovy, right?

But what That ‘70s Show is best known for, outside of still holding the record for the Fox network’s second longest-running sitcom from 1998 to 2006, is launching the careers of some of Hollywood’s top talents, and even giving a few veterans their shining moments as well. How do the successes of the That ‘70s Show cast measure up outside “The Circle"? Who came out “all alright” and who has “not a thing to do?”

Let’s see how the That ‘70s Show cast has turned out by ranking their careers from least successful to megastar status.

Danny Masterson (Steven Hyde)

Steven Hyde was the guy your parents would forbid you from hanging out with, and often for good reason. In That '70s Show, Danny Masterson (the brother to Malcolm in the Middle’s Christopher Masterson) portrayed the smart-mouthed stoner as a lovable, misunderstood young man with a heart of gold and an ear for Led Zeppelin.

However, Masterson’s reputation has not measured up to that of his troubled onscreen persona. While the actor later found some success after That ‘70s Show appearing in 2008’s Yes Man with Jim Carrey, leading the TBS sitcom Men at Work, and the Netflix hit The Ranch with former co-star and friend Ashton Kutcher, he was fired from the show in 2018 amid rape allegations. Earlier allegations resurfaced in the wake of the #MeToo movement, leading to his Ranch character James “Rooster” Bennett being written out in the middle of the third season.

While he does have a few projects on the horizon, including the supernatural thriller In Limbo and the dark comedy Killing Winston Jones with Richard Dreyfuss, Danny Masterson's career has certainly seen setbacks recently and we'll have to wait and see what happens in the future.

Debra Jo Rupp (Kitty Forman)

While sitcom mothers were always undisputedly squeaky clean, Kitty Forman could only wish to be June Cleaver, if it were not for having a staunchly divisive husband, two rebellious children, and a not-too-subtle drinking problem. But Debra Jo Rupp’s charm made it obvious why the That ‘70s Show cast always ended up at the Forman household to pass the time.

But where has Debra Jo Rupp been up to since? A little bit of everything, really, landing bit parts on various TV hits such as This Is Us and a recurring guest spot on Kutcher’s The Ranch. Before being cast on That ‘70s Show, her most recognizable appearances were as Jerry Seinfeld’s assistant in two episodes of Seinfeld and as Phoebe’s sister-in-law, Alice Knight Buffay, on Friends.

Outside of That ‘70s Show, you cannot really call Debra Jo Rupp a household name. However, while Kitty Forman may remain the role of her life, she is sure to pop up as a familiar face in something you might even watch today.

Don Stark (Bob Pinciotti)

Bob Pinciotti, father to Laura Prepon’s Donna, was the goofy next-door neighbor you would always love to see get picked on, even when his frequent misfortune (divorce, bankruptcy, Red’s constant ridicule) made you feel some sympathy for him. Not to mention, Don Stark probably got the part by appearance alone, looking as if some suburban, 1970’s dad jumped right out of a vintage road trip photo.

But when Don Stark isn’t rocking the Bob fro, he has lent his talents to a variety of projects on the big or small screen for more than four decades. He still does not shy away from comedy, having starred as a former addict on Marc Maron’s semi-autobiographical series Maron, but has gotten serious appearing in Supernatural and the second season of American Horror Story. He even has the bragging rights to call himself part of the Star Trek mythology, having starred in the Deep Space Nine series and the 1996 feature film Star Trek: First Contact; he also had a brief role in the Best Picture Oscar winner, Green Book.

Like his fellow parental characters in That ‘70s Show, Don Stark may always be remembered best as Bob Pinciotti, but his full resume is bigger than Bob’s hair.

Kurtwood Smith (Red Forman)

While Kitty Forman was the one who kept her son and his friends welcome in their house, her husband Red was the one who kept them in fear. This war veteran with a tendency to threaten people by placing his foot where the sun don’t shine was played by acting veteran Kurtwood Smith, whose early work proves he was born to play Red.

Smith’s role as the demanding father to Robert Sean Leonard’s Neil Perry in Dead Poet’s Society makes Red Forman look more like Bob Pinciotti by comparison, but his most notable antagonistic role would be as the man who took on Alex Murphy in RoboCop. While Kurtwood Smith's face still appears on television from time to time, his voice has become just as prolific, whether he is guest-starring on Rick and Morty or playing Commissioner Gordon on Beware the Batman.

With a legacy like that, Red looks even more intimidating, huh?

Wilmer Valderrama (Fez)

Fun fact: “Fez” actually stands for “Foreign Exchange Student.” While that may have been a joke at the expense of the That 70s Show gang’s spunky, ethnically ambiguous friend, Wilmer Valderrama must have felt that way when he first landed the role, given how little acting experience he had and how little English he spoke at the time.

Valderrama, who grew up in Venezuela, hit it off strongly with the cast and has maintained strong friendships with them since. In fact, outside of acting, in 2007, he went into business with Ashton Kutcher and Danny Masterson by opening up the Italian eatery Dolce Enoteca e Ristorante, which closed in 2012.

While some may always just see him as Fez, Wilmer Valderrama has risen above typecasting, having garnered a prominent career in television, with roles on Grey’s Anatomy, From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series, the title role of animated children’s program Handy Manny, and, currently, as Nick Torres on NCIS. Fez really did grow up. We’re so proud!

Laura Prepon (Donna Pinciotti)

What a lucky guy Eric Forman was. Donna Pinciotti was the perfect girlfriend: a saucy redhead who loved Eric unconditionally, enjoyed playing basketball, and would often put up with his Star Wars obsession without a hitch. Laura Prepon’s performance was so genuine, it made it easy to believe that she was not too different from Donna in real life, which is why it was especially exciting to see her eventually play a role that was a complete 180.

Before 2013, Donna would have been the first character you’d think of when hearing Laura Prepon's name, but with the massive success of Netflix’s Orange Is the New Black, backstabbing drug money smuggler Alex Vause may have taken that title.

She has yet to find success post-That ‘70s Show greater than Orange Is The New Black (October Road and Are You There Chelsea?, both of which she landed starring roles on, did not make it past one season), but with her work as a director, producer, and co-author of wellness book The Stash Plan, her current repertoire is nothing short of impressive.

Topher Grace (Eric Forman)

He was the average high school everyboy, who acted as the audience’s vessel into the world of 1970s Point Place, Wisconsin. Eric Forman was the heart and soul of That ‘70s Show, which is why when Topher Grace chose to leave the show after six seasons, audiences thought of calling him a certain word Red Forman was prone to using.

But, Topher Grace poved to be worthy of a life beyond sitcom stardom, even if that meant playing himself in Ocean’s Eleven and Twelve. While he might still be confused about how he got the role of Eddie Brock in Spider-Man 3 or whichever character he played in the overstuffed rom-com Valentine’s Day (also starring Ashton Kutcher), Grace’s career is now looking better than ever, earning acclaim in the recent faith-based hit Breakthrough and his wildly unexpected but compellingly wicked portrayal of David Duke in BlacKkKlansman.

It may be impossible to look at Eric Forman in the same way again.

Ashton Kutcher (Michael Kelso)

Because Michael Kelso was not the brightest member of the That ‘70s Show gang, it may be difficult to believe, at first, that Ashton Kutcher graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in biochemical engineering. On top of that he is the co-founder of tech-based media company A Plus and a general partner to investing firms Sound Ventures and A-Grade Investments.

As for his acting career, his comedic charm and boyish good looks earned him instant A-list status, leading him to headline comedies like Just Married or My Boss’ Daughter, before transitioning into more serious roles, such as The Butterfly Effect or as the co-founder of Apple in 2013’s Jobs. Despite even landing major roles with additional sitcom work, such as replacing Charlie Sheen on Two and a Half Men or on Netflix hit The Ranch, some of his biggest successes have been from producing non-scripted content, including Beauty and the Geek and, especially, the hidden camera MTV hit, Punk’d.

Say what you want about Ashton Kutcher the actor, Ashton Kutcher the producer and businessman is dynamite. Perhaps his greatest success is his current marriage. Speaking of...

Mila Kunis (Jackie Burkhart)

Jackie Burkhart had one of the most interesting character arcs on That ‘70s Show, transitioning from a spoiled, self-centered popularity hog to a humbler, kindhearted, independent young woman. You could easily compare her metamorphosis to that of the actress who played her, Mila Kunis, who went from merely a sitcom darling to one of the most prolific and sought-after actresses in Hollywood.

We fell in love with her in Forgetting Sarah Marshall. We became afraid of her in her Golden Globe-nominated turn in Black Swan. We forgave her for Jupiter Ascending.

Of course, the Ukranian-born actress also owes plenty of credit to Seth MacFarlane, casting her as Meg Griffin in Family Guy and Lori in Ted, to help continuously ensure her comedic talents. Whether Mila Kunis is tickling our funny bones or sending chills down our spines, we can’t wait to see what she does next.

While it has been a long road since the ‘70s, the futures are bright for (most of) the That ‘70s Show cast. Whether they are popping up randomly on your cable TV ‘80s B-movie block, raking in dough at the box office, or even having a hand in the financial backing of your latest home tech device, you will always have a piece of Point Place, Wisconsin, with you for generations to come.

Danny Masterson of That '70s Show and The Ranch made headlines back in 2017 for reasons that had nothing to do with his comedic roles. The actor was accused of sexual assault by multiple women, who all alleged that he assaulted them in the early 2000s. The case was set to be examined in an episode of Leah Remini's Scientology and the Aftermath, but the episode has not aired yet, and A&E may have shelved it altogether.

The unaired episode features interviews with Danny Masterson's accusers. One of these accusers reportedly stated that letters were circulated by Scientology to press A&E and Disney into taking the show off the air, according to The Daily Beast. The same source allegedly claimed that at least one of the letters was forged and that people involved with the episode experienced attacks from Scientology.

Danny Masterson is a member of the church of Scientology, so it was not a surprise that Leah Remini would cover his case as part of Scientology and the Aftermath. Rumblings that the episode has been shelved stem from reports that it had been set to air on A&E on February 18, and sources close to the production allegedly confirmed the February air date.

According to A&E, however, the episode never made it to the schedule for February 18, and the "information" circulating was not accurate. A&E says that no air date has been set.

Given that the episode filmed way back in 2017, there is the question of why it has not aired by this point in 2019. Although no official statement was released by Leah Remini, Scientology and the Aftermath co-host Mike Rinder, or the Los Angeles District Attorney's office, the episode's airing was allegedly delayed back in 2017 when the DA was concerned about it debuting when the case against Danny Masterson was still developing, and Remini reportedly gained A&E's approval to hold the episode for a time.

Despite this, A&E reportedly decided that the time had come for the episode to hit the airwaves, leading to the purported February 18 premiere date. At the time of writing A&E still has not confirmed when the Danny Masterson episode of Scientology and the Aftermath will air. That's not to say that it was shelved from a February premiere date or that it will never air; A&E may simply have indeed never settled on an official slot, and reports of the February debut were never accurate.

All we can say for sure with regard to Scientology and the Aftermath is that the wait for the Danny Masterson episode continues. As for Danny Masterson's career, he was fired from The Ranch, on which he had starred with former That '70s Show pal Ashton Kutcher. Dax Shepard was cast after the firing, and Netflix wrapped up Masterson's character's story in a surprisingly brutal way. Masterson asked fans to support the show without him.

As for Leah Remini, her show has been a huge hit for A&E, although they were blamed back in January for inciting a murder. Whether or not the Danny Masterson episode sees the light of day remains the be seen; the odds of Remini's show staying on the air are probably pretty good. Only time will tell what's in store. For some viewing options in the coming weeks, check out our midseason TV premiere schedule.

Some of the juiciest drama happens behind-the-scenes of TV shows. Offhand, you can probably think of any number of actors/actresses from Downton Abbey to Game of Thrones and beyond with shocking exits. Sometimes the actors leave under let's say cloudy conditions, and other times it's the showrunners who create controversy with the writing of the exit. It's kind of amazing to think that we've had so many such departures just in the past five years. This list only scratches the surface -- starting with the exit that should be coming up next...

George Eads, MacGyver

George Eads is leaving MacGyver, with the show setting up an exit for his character Jack Dalton in the Friday, February 1 episode. Eads reportedly had an on-set altercation of some kind back in October and subsequently stormed off the Atlanta set. When he returned, he asked to be released from his contract, reportedly due to a desire to spend time with his daughter in Los Angeles. Eads also left a different CBS show under similar circumstances. He left CSI after 15 seasons, one season after an on-set problem with one of the writers. It seemed like he might quit, but he took a leave of absence and came back for another season before being written off.

Clayne Crawford, Lethal Weapon

Clayne Crawford's departure from Lethal Weapon was ugly from every angle. He was cut from the show before Season 3 due to alleged misconduct. The show decided to kill off Martin Riggs and give Damon Wayans' Roger Murtaugh a new partner. Some of Crawford's bad behavior was caught on camera, including clashes with Wayans, who didn't come across so good himself. In one instance, Crawford had a meltdown over filming scenes at an L.A. area pool. After that, he agreed to undergo counseling. Ultimately, his character was killed off and -- after a time jump -- Seann William Scott stepped in as the new co-lead Season 3. In late 2018, Wayans said he planned to leave the show after Season 3, but that may not be the case anymore. Then again, Fox has yet to renew the show for a Season 4, so it may be a moot point.

Thomas Gibson, Criminal Minds

Thomas Gibson's character Aaron Hotchner was written off Criminal Minds after the actor had an on-set altercation during production on Season 12. Gibson was directing an episode and had a heated incident with the episode's writer, allegedly kicking at him. He was fired. Hotch, a main character of the show, was written to have taken a consulting job off screen. Later, that was said to be a ruse, and he went into witness protection to get away from Mr. Scratch. Hotch could've returned to the BAU later, but fans were told that he decided to retire and be a full-time parent to Jack. It's not clear if Hotch will return for the Criminal Minds finale. That wasn't the first time something like that had happened; in 2010, Gibson allegedly pushed an assistant director, and had to take anger management counseling.

Danny Masterson, The Ranch

Danny Masterson was fired from Netflix's The Ranch during filming for Season 3, after five women came forward with rape allegations. His character, Rooster, appeared to leave town at the end of Part 5. But that wasn't the end of his story. When Part 6 premiered, Beau Bennett (Sam Elliott) got a call that Rooster's motorcycle was found at the bottom of a cliff. Apparently he went into a curve too fast, his brakes locked up, and he went over the guardrail. Rooster's body wasn't found, but he was presumed dead, and the family held a memorial for him. So they killed Rooster off, but also left the door open for the character. Danny Masterson asked fans to keep supporting The Ranch, even with Rooster "MIA."

Roseanne Barr, Roseanne

Roseanne had a hugely popular revival Season 10 when it returned in 2018. But Roseanne Barr has never been shy with her opinions, and she took a tweet a step too far for ABC. Since it was Roseanne's show, with her name on it, when ABC wanted to fire Barr after a racist tweet, the network decided to cancel the entire show. ABC boss Channing Dungey called Roseanne's tweet about Valerie Jarrett "abhorrent, repugnant and inconsistent with our values." The rest of the Roseanne cast, who were basically collateral damage in the drama, returned for a spinoff called The Conners.

Kevin Spacey, House of Cards

Kevin Spacey's personal house of cards came crashing down after Star Trek: Discovery and Rent star Anthony Rapp accused Spacey of trying to have sex with him when Rapp was just 14 years old. After that, several members of the House of Cards also came forward with stories about Spacey's alleged misconduct. Netflix decide to cut ties with Spacey, and cut him out of the final Season 6 entirely. Robin Wright's President Claire Underwood was instead the lead of the shortened final season. The show killed off Frank Underwood, and also buried the character somewhere he would never want to be. Spacey later revived his character for a bizarre holiday video called "Let Me Be Frank."

Erinn Hayes, Kevin Can Wait

This casting drama started when it was announced that Kevin James' former King of Queens co-star Leah Remini would be joining Kevin Can Wait full-time in Season 2. That news was followed by reports that Erinn Hayes was fired after Season 1. The show decided to kill off her character, Donna, wife of Kevin's lead character. That allowed Season 2 to focus on Kevin's relationship with Remini's Vanessa Cellucci. The change didn't sit well with fans, and Hayes didn't seem to be happy with it either. CBS decided to cancel the whole show after Season 2 anyway.

Connie Britton, Nashville

It was a huge shock to Nashville fans when Rayna James died due to injuries from a car crash. It seemed like Rayna was going to be fine ... until she wasn't. Fans were devastated. What was Nashville without Rayna James? Connie Britton said leaving was her decision. She felt it was time to exit Nashville after it found a new home at CMT for Season 5. But the show continued for another season on CMT, and Britton even brought back Rayna back in the finale for two scenes -- a flashback and the big musical number at the end.

Sophia Bush, Chicago P.D.

Sophia Bush left Chicago P.D. after playing Det. Erin Lindsay for four seasons. She was tight-lipped about her reasons at first, and only opened up more over time, talking about her unhappiness on the set. Bush said (via TVLine) that she experienced "a consistent onslaught barrage of abusive behavior." She said producers initially dismissed her complaints, and they even seemed irritated that she was asking them to investigate negative conditions on set. She gave them notice that if things didn't change by the end of Season 4, she'd quit. She threatened to sue the network and write an op-ed on why she was unhappy, but NBC ultimately allowed her an early exit from her seven-season contract.

T.J. Miller, Silicon Valley

T.J. Miller's Erlich Bachman was one of the main characters of HBO's Silicon Valley. When Miller announced he'd be leaving the show after Season 4 wrapped, plenty of reasons flew around as to why. Initially, Miller said he wanted to do more things like The Emoji Movie and have time to develop animated features. After that, more stories started coming out about his allegedly unprofessional behavior on set. He also reportedly didn't get along with star Thomas Middleditch. The more that came out, the more toxic and mutual the departure sounded.

Stana Katic, Castle

Stana Katic played co-lead Kate Beckett on Castle, so it was baffling to fans to hear she'd be leaving after Season 8 -- and not by her own choice. Nathan Fillion's contract was renewed, and he and some of the other stars were ready to return for Season 9. But how could Castle continue without Beckett? Rumors flew as to what happened, from recycled talk of tension between Katic and Fillion to discussion of various contracts. There was huge fan outcry, and ABC ultimately decided just to end the show with Season 8. Two different endings were filmed -- one with a cliffhanger if Season 9 had happened, and the happy ending that fans got to see. But the behind-the-scenes drama toward the end of the show's run was still fresh to fans, and soured the happy ending a bit.

Josh Charles, The Good Wife

So much of The Good Wife was the love story between Alicia Florrick (Julianna Margulies) and Will Gardner (Josh Charles). So it was a massive shock to see Will gunned down inside a courtroom in Season 5, Episode 15. Will was dead. Josh Charles had wanted to leave the show, and the creators wrote an open letter to fans to try and justify the end of Will's story. Charles' exit wasn't even the only dramatic one for the legal show. You may have heard about the rumored tension between Margulies and Archie Panjabi, who played Kalinda Sharma. When Panjabi left in Season 6, the show filmed a final scene for best friends Alicia and Kalinda. But there was speculation that the stars filmed their respective sides of the scene separately.

Patrick Dempsey, Grey's Anatomy

Grey's Anatomy is now in Season 15 but fans are still pissed about Derek's death. There was already behind-the-scenes drama suggesting Patrick Dempsey would be leaving the show, but the way they wrote out his character in Season 11 was just brutal. Derek had stopped to help some people in a car accident, and ended up hit himself. He was rushed to a hospital, but not Grey Sloan, and his doctor made a mistake that ended up in Derek's death. Shonda Rhimes defended the decision to kill off Derek, saying it was better than having him just disappear on Meredith Grey. At least this preserved their love story. Some fans said they would stop watching after Derek's death. Even some current viewers still don't want Mer to be with anyone else.

Columbus Short, Scandal

Columbus Short brought his own scandal to Scandal. He played Harrison Wright on the first three seasons, but confirmed he wouldn't return for Season 4. Harrison was ultimately killed in the Season 3 finale. Short opened up later about the personal drama that led to his departure, saying, "I'll be candid. I was struggling with drugs. I had a lot on my plate, and you know, I was using unhealthy ways to kind of self-medicate and deal with a lot of heavy duty stuff in my life." He was jailed after getting into a fight in a restaurant, and his wife filed for divorce following a misdemeanor spousal battery charge. Short said Scandal creator Shonda Rhimes and the cast knew about his drug and alcohol problems and tried to protect him and hold him down. "And that was one of the real reasons – they just wanted me to get my stuff together."

Chandler Riggs, The Walking Dead

The Walking Dead loves a shocking exit, but if there was any character that seemed safe, it was Carl Grimes. Chandler Riggs apparently though he'd be safe for a while too, so it was shocking for him as well as fans when Carl was killed off halfway through Season 8. Riggs said it was "devastating" for him and his family, especially since he had just bought a house in the Atlanta area where Walking Dead films. Riggs' father also spoke out on social media, slamming showrunner Scott M. Gimple for firing Chandler two weeks before the actor's 18th birthday, despite telling him they wanted him on the show for the next three years. The very next season, the show's main star, Andrew Lincoln, also exited the show -- although this time it was by choice, and AMC didn't kill off Rick Grimes, the network is giving him his own set of films.

Those are just a few of the controversial departures from the past few years. There are more -- and many more if we went back even further in time. At this point, we've just started the second month of 2019, but it will surely add more names to the list. That's the way of the TV biz. For now, keep up on everything airing with our handy midseason 2019 schedule.

The Ranch released its second half of Season 3 recently, and its fired star is encouraging audiences to tune in despite his absence. Danny Masterson showed some support towards the latest string of The Ranch episodes to hit Netflix on his personal social media, and voiced his support of the series and its cast despite his removal from the show.

Danny Masterson's public support of The Ranch came as the latest batch of 10 episodes on Netflix were the first created after his firing from the program. The actor is seemingly addressing viewers who may not be tuning into the new string of episodes in protest of Masterson's firing. Masterson was fired in December 2017 after a sexual assault case against him was reopened in March of that year in light of other sexual assault allegations.

Though fired, Masterson appeared in the first half of Season 3 in a move that some felt controversial. Some felt Netflix was wrong to air The Ranch with Danny Masterson included, especially in light of his situation. Others were upset by the actor's removal after there were claims the allegations lodged against him were part of a smear campaign against the Church of Scientology. Masterson has been a member of Scientology since age 15.

Danny Masterson's continued support of The Ranch does not appear to mean that Rooster is headed back to the Iron River ranch, despite the character's exit still leaving a slight opportunity for a return. Essentially, his message on Instagram does not appear to encourage support because he might return, but rather out of the respect and love he shares for the cast and crew he's worked with for so long.

The latest batch of episodes of The Ranch are currently up on Netflix, and the Ashton Kutcher-led show is expected to return for Season 4. For a look at what other programs are on television in the near future, be sure to visit and bookmark our handy fall and midseason premiere guides.

Spoilers below for Part 6 of Netflix's The Ranch, so be sure to watch before reading on.

The Ranch returned today, and it had some major updates on Danny Masterson's character. The first several episodes of Part 6 -- aka the second half of Season 3 -- focused on what happened to Jameson "Rooster" Bennett.

Danny Masterson was fired from the Netflix show during filming for Season 3, after five women came forward with rape allegations. Part 5 arrived in June, and ended with Rooster apparently leaving town. It seemed like that was how they were going to write off the character. But Part 6 just took a darker turn, while ending on both bittersweet and somewhat ambiguous notes. The door is potentially still open for Rooster's return, or at least it was not confirmed that he died.

In Episode 2 (via TVLine), Beau Bennett (Sam Elliott) got a call that Rooster's motorcycle was found at the bottom of a cliff. Apparently he went into a curve too fast, his brakes locked up, and he went over the guardrail. The motorcycle was retrieved from the river. But since Rooster's body wasn't found, Cole (Ashton Kutcher) was in denial and tried to prove that his brother was still alive. But the search-and-rescue effort was called off, and Rooster was left presumed dead.

Beau and Maggie (Debra Winger) had a memorial service for their son. Cole didn't attend at first, but here's the sort of sweet coda to the story. At home, Cole found a package for him from Rooster. Rooster included a onesie for his soon-to-be-born niece and a note thanking his brother for making their dreams come true. Cole took the package to Rooster's funeral and shared loving words for Rooster, calling him the best friend a brother could ask for. Rooster was then honored with a toast at Maggie's bar.

So, yeah, they didn't throw Rooster under a bus, but they did throw him off a cliff. But since they didn't recover the body, you can always say he didn't die. And they did give the character a loving sendoff, even if you could argue a more loving way to say goodbye might be to not kill him at all.

The Ranch has earned loyal fans thanks in part to its strong cast -- including a That '70s Show reunion for Ashton Kutcher, Danny Masterson, and Wilmer Valderrama. There was pushback to Danny Masterson's firing from fans, but also pushback from his accusers since Netflix still went ahead and released the first half of Season 3 with Masterson's involvement. Masterson was an executive producer on The Ranch, as well as one of the main stars.

In that respect, Danny Masterson was like Kevin Spacey, a producer of House of Cards who was fired as a star of the show after sexual misconduct allegations. Kevin Spacey's character was completely removed from the final season of House of Cards, and given his own brutal ending. In The Ranch, Danny Masterson appeared in the first half of Season 3/Part 5, but not at all in the most recent 10 episodes, which just released on Netflix on Friday, December 7.

Netflix has already renewed The Ranch for Season 4, which is expected to include 20 episodes again. Original stars Ashton Kutcher, Sam Elliott, Elisha Cuthbert, and -- maybe? -- Debra Winger are expected to return, along with Season 3 newcomer Dax Shepard.

The Ranch has released one season a year since starting in 2016, so it sounds like fans should expect Season 4 in 2019. Here's what we already know is scheduled for midseason 2019. And here's specifically what's on the docket for Netflix in 2019.

Spoilers below for the latest half-season of Netflix's The Ranch, so be sure to watch before reading on.

Netflix took on another controversial situation in late 2017 when execs made the decision to fire Danny Masterson from the comedy The Ranch in the distant aftermath of multiple sexual assault and rape allegations. The Ranch Part 5 (or the first half of Season 3, depending on how you word it) was already mostly through production when Masterson was ousted, and Netflix decided to keep seemingly all of his footage intact before writing his character Rooster Bennett out in the finale. Here's the almost surprisingly dark way things wrapped up.

The season started out with Beau attempting to live a calmer life after his heart attack, which is impossible with sons like Colt and Rooster, and problems with the ranch only got worse, thanks in part to wildfire threats that forced the whole town of Garrison to evacuate. But Rooster's own biggest problems spawned when he started reconnecting with former girlfriend Mary, played by Megyn Price. Mary herself wasn't the issue, but rather her boyfriend Nick (Josh Burrow), who'd recently gotten out of prison. To be expected, Nick hadn't gone to jail for "being perfectly cool with other dudes banging his girlfriend."

The tension grew as the season came to a close, with Mary not feeling proper about carrying on with Rooster while also wanting to develop something further with Nick. And once Nick discovered the illicit affair, he turned into a micro version of Cape Fear's Max Cady, breaking into Rooster's cabin to deliver some serious late-night threats. In the face of Rooster's stammering (and joking accusations that "Colt might be fucking her"), Nick literally threatened to kill Rooster. Mary soon broke up with him after hearing he'd gone all psycho like that.

No viewers likely believed that Nick had actually left town like he'd told Mary, and so it wasn't so shocking when Nick once again showed up at Rooster's with a bigger ultimatum. He threw a sleeping bag down and gave Rooster two choices: he could either leave town still breathing, or he could disappear in a more permanent way. Rooster's attempts to reverse-threaten Nick were vanquished once the ex-con pulled a gun out to punctuate his demands, with the final warning that he would kill all of the Bennett family members if Rooster told anyone about this incident.

And with that, it appears that Danny Masterson's Rooster has actually left The Ranch for good, with the actor's firing almost definitely preventing him from returning in future episodes. It was perhaps a little too over-the-top a maneuver for the multi-camera comedy, even with all the serious moments that have come in the past, but desperate times call for desperate measures, I guess. At least things ended swell enough for Sam Elliot's Beau and Kathy Baker's Joanne.

To be expected, Netflix and The Ranch have faced some blowback over Danny Masterson's continued presence in these latest episodes, considering the streaming giant had so quickly severed ties with other male celebrities accused of various forms of sexual misconduct, including Kevin Spacey, Louis C.K. and Ed Westwick. Masterson, a member of the Church of Scientology since his youth, has actively denied the accusations of multiple women who claimed the actor assaulted them in the early 2000s, and eventual investigations into the claims have been touch-and-go.. It was after firing an exec for publicly dismissing the accusers' claims that Netflix made the decision to officially fire Danny Masterson, though he reportedly finished filming the season after that. It's currently unclear if the actor is maintaining his executive producer credit.

The Ranch Part 5 is currently available to stream in full on Netflix, along with all the other episodes. Production is currently moving forward for the second half of Season 3, with Dax Shepard set to serve as Danny Masterson's replacement. Head to our 2018 Netflix schedule and our summer premiere schedule to see all the new and returning shows hitting streaming and primetime soon.