Laura Prepon Talks Directing ‘That ’90s Show’ On A Set She Knows “So Well”
After two decades away from Point Place, Wisconsin, Laura Prepon is back. And this time, she’s in the driver’s seat.
The That ’70s Show alum recently opened up about returning for Part 3 of the Netflix spinoff series That ’90s Show, not only in the role of Donna Pinciotti, but as director of all eight episodes.
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“The experience was amazing,” Prepon told The Wrap. “I’ve been directing for a while — when I was on Orange [Is the New Black], I directed … multiple episodes on that, I directed in this show last year as well. It was really nice being able to direct a whole slew of episodes at the same time, because you really get to sit deep in the saddle and go.
She continued, “And being able to go back onto a set that I know so well. And not only the set, but the showrunner I’ve known for 20 years, because he was a writer on ’70s and Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner, Marcy Carsey, Tom Werner — all these people I’ve known for a very long time — and they’ve trusted me to take the helm of these eight episodes for Part 3 was really wonderful, and I had a blast.
Prepon explained that although she loves acting, “directing is what I want to do,” adding: “I’m like a fish in water when I’m doing it, and acting makes me a better director. There’s nothing I’m going to ask this cast to do that I’ve never done myself, the understanding and the empathy is so high because I’ve been doing this for so long. I understand, especially on this show with these sets — talk about being there, I’ve physically, emotionally been there. I do hope to do more [but] it takes me away from my family longer. But my husband, we’re both in the business, and we just figure it out.”
The OITNB alum shares two kids with actor Ben Foster, whom she married in 2018.
She starred on Fox’s That ’70s Show as Donna for the entirety of the sitcom’s eight-season run from 1998 to 2006.
Prepon reprises the role in the reboot, which follows her and husband Eric Forman’s (Topher Grace) daughter Leia (Callie Haverda) as she befriends a new generation of Point Place teens while spending the summer in her grandparents’ basement.
Although Grace reprised his role in Season 1, along with fellow ’70s alums Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis and Wilmer Valderrama, Prepon was the only one to return for an appearance this season. Meanwhile, Kurtwood Smith and Debra Jo Rupp continue to play Red and Kitty Forman, in addition to Don Stark back as Bob Pinciotti.
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