Ashton Kutcher hopes That 70s Show co-star Danny Masterson will be found innocent in rape trial

Ashton Kutcher has spoken out about Danny Masterson's rape charges.

The two actors have starred alongside one another on and off over the past 20 years, most famously in That '70s Show and recently in the Netflix sitcom The Ranch.

Over that time, the pair understandably became good friends as well as colleagues.

And Kutcher was shocked when it was revealed three woman had accused Masterson of sexual assault.

The 46-year-old is facing a second trial over the charges after the jury could not reach a verdict during his first trial back in November last year.

Though the jury leant towards a not guilty verdict - with the votes 10-2, 8-4 and 7-5 on all three counts - a mistrial was called.

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It's alleged that Masterson forcibly raped three women at his home in the Hollywood Hills between 2001 and 2003, when he was starring in That '70s Show.

In a candid interview with Esquire, Kutcher said that he hoped his former co-star was innocent, but admitted that there was no way he could be certain.

“Ultimately, I can’t know,” the 44-year-old said regarding the outcome of the trial.

"I’m not the judge. I’m not the jury. I’m not the DA. I’m not the victim. And I’m not the accused. And so, in that case, I don’t have a space to comment. I just don’t know."

However, he added that he supports anyone who has been abused or assaults in any way.

"I wholesale feel for anybody who feels like they were violated in any way," the former model said.

Speaking about his relationship with Masterson while working onThat '70s Show, Kutcher said he was the most experienced actor among them and took the lead.

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He recalled how Masterson, who played Steven, warned his fellow actors about making sure they didn't bring the show into disrepute - and that they stayed away from drugs.

Kutcher said: "He’s like, 'One f**king rule: Don’t do anything f**king stupid and f**k this up.

"Because if you f**k it up, you fuck it up for everybody'."

Following the first trial, two of the women involved issued a statement, in which they said they were disappointed by the decision.

They said they would be taking legal action against Masterson and the Church of Scientology, of which he is a member.

This legal fight is far from over, and it is critical that we reckon with Scientology's alleged role in covering up reports of abuse and threatening victims," it read.