The long-awaited return of Kelsey Grammer to his legendary comedic role as Frasier Crane is finally here, marking a remarkable 19-year hiatus. Paramount+ has unveiled a sneak peek of the upcoming revival of the beloved sitcom Frasier, along with an eagerly anticipated premiere date: Thursday, October 12.
This strategic scheduling decision places the streaming series squarely in the midst of the traditional fall-season debut on broadcast networks. It's a nostalgic nod as well, positioning the show on the same night it once held a cherished spot in NBC's Must-See TV lineup during its initial run. Additionally, CBS is set to provide a special broadcasting treat, presenting the show with a two-episode broadcast preview on Tuesday, October 17. The original Frasier premiered in 1993 and ran successfully for 11 seasons.
The revived series is set to follow "Frasier Crane in the next chapter of his life as he returns to Boston with new challenges to face, new relationships to forge, and an old dream or two to finally fulfill."
However, some notable absences are evident in the revival. Actor David Hyde Pierce, famous for his portrayal of Crane's brother Niles in the original show, will not be reprising his role. Grammer shared with People that Pierce wasn't keen on revisiting the character of Niles. Pierce himself expressed his stance to Vulture, saying, "I love those characters, but I don't miss them." While he didn't rule out the possibility of appearing on the show, he emphasized the importance of his character's integrity and the potential for new narratives to emerge.
While Jane Leeves, who played Daphne, won't be part of the revival, some familiar faces are returning. Bebe Neuwirth, famous for her role as Dr. Lilith Sternin, Crane's ex-wife and colleague, will make a guest-star comeback. Peri Gilpin, who portrayed Crane's former radio producer Roz, will also reprise her role. Unfortunately, John Mahoney, who played the role of Frasier and Niles' father Martin, passed away in 2018.
The anticipated revival has received a 10-episode order from Paramount+. The series was filmed in front of a live studio audience at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles and boasts a new ensemble cast, including Jack Cutmore-Scott, Nicholas Lyndhurst, Toks Olagundoye, Jess Salgueiro, and Anders Keith.
Chris Harris (known for How I Met Your Mother) and Joe Cristalli"(of Life in Pieces fame) helm the writing team behind the revival, which is executively produced by Grammer, Tom Russo, and Jordan McMahon.
The original Frasier held the distinction of being the most Emmy-winning series of all time, with a remarkable 37 wins. This record remained unbroken until 2016, when HBO's Game of Thrones took the mantle. However, Frasier still reigns supreme with the most Emmy wins for a comedy series. For fans eager to relive the magic, the original series will be available for streaming on Paramount+.
