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Movies & TV

11th Jun 2023

Kelsey Grammer reveals why Frasier is returning after two decades

Simon Kelly

Whether you agree with it or not, Frasier is getting a reboot.

Frasier, the iconic sitcom that originally ran from 1993 to 2004, will be rebooting on Paramount+, where Kelsey Grammer returns as the radio psychiatrist alongside a host of new characters.

One of those new faces will be Nicholas Lyndhurst, who is best known for his role as Rodney in Only Fools and Horses. The 61-year-old will star in the reboot as Frasier’s old college friend who reunites with the Crane brother who relocates to a new city.

Speaking on why Lyndhurst was the perfect sidekick to the upcoming show, Grammer told the Times:

“Nick and I fell in love when we were doing ‘Man of La Mancha’ together [at the London Coliseum in 2019]. I warned them in America. I said, ‘Wait until this guy gets here. You’ll be doing a scene with him and suddenly you realise he’s just run off with it.’

“He’s an extraordinary actor, a dear friend. And I am so pleased he’s part of it.”

Kelsey Grammer on why Frasier is coming back

Nearly 20 years after Frasier signed off, the show will be without some familiar faces including David Hyde Pierse (Niles Crane), Jane Leeves (Daphne Moon) and of course John Mahoney (Frasier’s father Martin), who passed away in 2018.

Some characters will return, however, with Peri Gilpin (Roz Doyle) and Bebe Neuwirth (Frasier’s ex-wife Lilith) both making an appearance.

Speaking on why he decided to come back as the titular character, Grammer said:

“He’s lived a kind of a parallel life with me. Now we’ve found our way back to one another. This character, who is obviously fictional, has a life outside of mine that is just as believable and palpable as the one I’ve actually lived —and I’m good at playing him. We were funny together.”

The official logline reveals only that, “Frasier is off to a different city with new challenges to face, new relationships to forge, and an old dream or two to finally fulfill. Frasier has re-entered the building!”

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