Kelsey Grammer has explained why David Hyde Pierce won’t be coming back to play his brother Niles in the reboot of Frasier.
Yes, the popular TV show – that was actually a spin-off from Cheers – is due for a return in the relatively near future, and Grammer is clearly stoked to return to one of his favourite roles.
Of course, it’ll never be Sideshow Bob, but Frasier Crane is still a good character nonetheless.
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Whilst fans might have dreamed that the whole cast would get back together, with Grammer joined by Hyde Pierce, Peri Gilpin and Jane Leeves – although John Mahoney died in 2018 – this isn’t going to be a run-of-the-mill continuation of the series.
In fact, the new series is going to take place in a completely different city, with new cast members joining Frasier.
In a recent interview with People, Grammer explained: "For a while we were going to try to bring back the whole cast, the whole legacy cast.
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"David basically decided he wasn't really interested in repeating the performance of Niles.
"In a very funny way, it just took us to a new place, which was what we originally wanted to do anyway, which was a Fraser third act.
"It's an entirely new life for him."
That new life will obviously present different challenges to the titular character played by Grammer.
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In the original series, which spanned an 11-year run that saw the programme awarded 37 Emmy awards, Grammer played the radio psychiatrist, whilst Hyde Pierce played Niles, Frasier’s highly-strung brother.
Mahoney played the pair’s father, who came from a much more humble background.
However, this series will see the elder Crane brother striking out on his own.
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"He's our brave little soldier that continues on in life, finding new challenges and a new love and new people and a new city and stuff like that,” Grammer explained.
One thing that is sure to happen will be a tribute to Mahoney, who died from throat cancer in 2018.
Grammer said: "I'm really very excited about it, and we'll certainly always honor the past.
“We have to honor the fact that John Mahoney died and that Martin is no longer with us.
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“We'll be dealing with that for sure."
So, how will they navigate the characters that aren’t there?
Well, they’re not sure, but they will do it.
Grammer added: "We'll certainly be responsive about the fact that there was a brother and such.
"But the new world for Frasier is one of new friendships — and some new twists and turns he didn't know were still in there."
As for a timeframe, the show has a script and will be starting rehearsals next February, but we’re not sure on much else.
Grammer said: "We start rehearsals in February,
"We've been working on it honestly for about six or seven years.
On the script, he later added: "I've had a couple runs through it, and I cried.
"So you know, I'm happy."
Topics: Celebrity, Film and TV
Tom Wood