Some Key Cast Members Will Be Missing From the ”Frasier” Revival

Kelsey Grammer in
Kelsey Grammer in "Frasier"

When Dr. Frasier Crane returns next year, his family will, sadly, not be joining him.

Almost two decades since it went off air, Frasier has been given the green light for a revival. Rehearsals are scheduled to start in February, with Kelsey Grammer once again playing the titular character whom he originated on Cheers. 

The spin-off saw the psychiatrist return to his hometown of Seattle following his failed marriage, and his new life as a radio show host who lives with his elderly father. The show also featured Frasier’s colleague, brother, and father’s caregiver.  

John Mahoney, who played Frasier’s father Martin, died in 2018 from cancer. Grammar has confirmed that Mahoney’s passing will be written into the show. 

“We’ll certainly always honor the past. We have to honor the fact that John Mahoney died and that [Niles and Frasier’s father Martin Crane] is no longer with us. We’ll be dealing with that for sure.”

Unfortunately, Mahoney won’t be the only missing cast member. David Hyde Pierce, who starred as Frasier’s brother Niles throughout the series, has decided not to return for the revival. 

“For a while we were going to try to bring back the whole cast, the whole legacy cast,” Grammer said. “David basically decided he wasn’t really interested in repeating the performance of Niles.”

While many details are still under wraps, we do know that the show has been in the works for six or seven years and will feature Frasier in a whole new city.