Actor Kelsey Grammer has spoken about actor David Hyde Pierce’s decision not to return for the upcoming revival of “Frasier” on the Paramount+ service.
Hyde Pierce played Niles Crane, the younger brother of Grammer’s Dr. Frasier Crane, on the Emmy-winning series and was basically the show’s secondary lead.
Since the series ended after eleven seasons in 2004, Hyde Pierce went on to a successful theater and screen career and recently starred in HBO Max’s “Julia”.
Talking with People magazine recently, Grammer explains that: “David basically decided he wasn’t really interested in repeating the performance of Niles.”
He adds that the decision ended up working out well in terms of the new series’ storyline: “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 Frasier third act. It’s an entirely new life for him.”
Grammer is reprising his signature character of psychiatrist-turned-radio host Frasier Crane who is now living in a different city and is surrounded by new characters.
The new incarnation is being penned and executive produced by Chris Harris and Joe Cristalli. Paramount handed out a series order for ten episodes last month.
