'Fuller House' Begins Filming with Steve but without Olsens

Fuller House, the reunion spin-off of Full House, began filming this week, delighting fans with a surprise guest. The cast had their first table read on Thursday and shared pictures on Twitter and Instagram of the event. Although Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen won't be reprising the role that made them stars, Scott Weinger, who played Steve on Full House, revealed that he'll be making appearances on the new show.

The new show is a spin-off, not a remake, Candance Cameron Bure, who plays oldest daughter DJ Tanner, told USA Today. The plot centers around DJ raising her own kids. In Fuller House, DJ is a pregnant vet when her husband dies while working as a fireman. DJ's sister Stephanie, played by Jodie Sweetin, and old best friend Kimmy Gibbler, played by Andrea Barber, come to help her raise her kids. There will be a one-hour reunion before the series starts up in full.

The plot is a pretty tight parallel to the original show, which featured DJ's father, played by Bob Saget, who was recently widowed, getting help from his brother-in-law, played by John Stamos, and best friend, played by Dave Coulier. Saget, Stamos and Coulier, along with Lori Loughlin, who plays Rebecca, Saget's co-worker and Stamos' wife on the show, will be returning for Fuller House.

The return of Weinger as Steve is a happy surprise for most Full House fans. Steve was DJ's longtime boyfriend on the show and a frequent visitor to the titular house. His return was revealed thanks to a picture he posted on Twitter.

Last month, Stamos was arrested and charged with a DUI. He recently checked into a rehab facility, but he'll still be appearing on the show. Stamos has been talking a lot publicly about Fuller House, apparently excited to have the reunion. He said that he's "heartbroken" that the Olsens won't be joining and stressed that it's not about the money for the cast members who are returning.

Fuller House will be premiering on Netflix in 2016.

This is not a drill, people. This is happening! pic.twitter.com/c2JQ58v1QM

— Scott Weinger (@ScottWeinger) July 16, 2015

Oh yeah. pic.twitter.com/8CQBOZyJDQ — bob saget (@bobsaget) July 16, 2015

 It's happening!! First Day of work. #FullerHouse Deej is back!

A photo posted by Candace Cameron Bure (@candacecbure) on Jul 16, 2015 at 9:02am PDT