Frasier Star Kelsey Grammer Reveals How David Hyde Pierce’s Niles May Return

There are many good issues you’ll be able to say in regards to the “Frasier” revival sequence. The present, which acts the TV equal of a legacy sequel to the unique sitcom, is reassuring in some ways, offering a dose of non-threatening, healthful TV that with its anachronistic sitcom setup feels without delay acquainted and oddly misplaced within the streaming age. The revival has additionally had some stable episodes that recall the magic of the unique, with the season 1 finale stacking up fairly nicely in opposition to earlier “Frasier” Christmas episodes. Season 2 has additionally made Frasier’s former producer, Roz Doyle, a recurring character, elevating the present past the place it sat with the prevailing supporting forged.

Elsewhere, star Kelsey Grammer by no means misplaced a step because the titular psychiatrist, and is nearly as good at taking part in lovably pompous as ever. Grammer additionally has formidable plans for “Frasier,” envisioning greater than 100 episodes of the revival ought to Paramount give the inexperienced gentle for future seasons.

However whereas streaming-age “Frasier” has all these positives working in its favor, and Grammer’s imaginative and prescient of considerable future seasons is heartening, the revival nonetheless has a variety of kinks but to work out. By far the largest of those is the aforementioned supporting forged who, whereas fairly okay, are completely nothing in comparison with the unique ensemble. Now that Gilpin is again in a recurring capability, the present is beginning to repair that obvious concern, however there’s one forged member who has caught out as the largest lacking piece for the reason that revival debuted: David Hyde Pierce. 

The actor performed Frasier’s equally stuffy brother on the unique sitcom and has up to now not returned for the revival — which, when it debuted, seemingly did so with no hope of Pierce ever agreeing to return. In current months, nevertheless, the overall tone of this dialogue about Niles’ return has turn into way more constructive, and now Grammer himself has spoken on the subject.

When the “Frasier” revival was first introduced, it appeared there was no hope for a Niles return. In actual fact, Kelsey Grammer was the one actor who agreed to look, making this a “Frasier” revival with out one of many unique present’s most necessary options: the ensemble forged. However had David Hyde Pierce agreed to return as Niles, I feel it is honest to say followers would have been pleased with a sequence led by simply Frasier and his brother, whose dynamic very a lot outlined the ’90s present. That is to not say followers would have been excited that different forged members weren’t concerned, however they’d have been quite a bit happier with the brothers Crane than what we obtained.

Sadly, Pierce was making all of the mistaken noises on the time, telling Vulture in 2022, “I haven’t got a powerful feeling that there is something extra that I can consider that I have to say about [Niles].” He added, “I really like these characters, however I do not miss them.”

Then, after the primary season of the revival wrapped up and a second season of “Frasier” was greenlit, the actor instantly gave the impression to be extra open to the prospect of taking part in Niles once more. In an interview with the UK’s METRO, the actor spoke in phrases that steered he’d be open to reprising the function of Niles, albeit briefly. “If the thought of had we been going to do, like, a one-off particular episode, or one thing, that will have been very straightforward to decide to,” Pierce mentioned. That is a heck of quite a bit higher than “I really like these characters, however I do not miss them.”

Now, in even higher information, it appears Kelsey Grammer is keen to fulfill his former co-star within the center.

Earlier than the “Frasier” revival debuted, Kelsey Grammer was requested about David Hyde Pierce’s involvement, telling Individuals, “For some time we have been going to attempt to carry again the entire forged, the entire legacy forged … David principally determined he wasn’t actually thinking about repeating the efficiency of Niles.” Very similar to Pierce himself, Grammer has since shifted tone barely and appears barely extra sanguine about bringing the Niles actor again to the world of Dr. Crane.

Throughout a panel dialogue with Deadline, Kelsey Grammer spoke about Pierce’s potential return saying, “If he would come again, we’d in all probability discover a manner to do this. However, it in all probability would not be for greater than an episode.” Which may not look like a lot for followers desperate to see Niles on-screen once more. However once more, it is quite a bit higher than basically saying “Pierce declined, so the prospect is off the desk.”

If issues preserve shifting slowly within the route they’ve been, maybe we’ll see the brothers Crane reunited within the close to future. For now, we’ll simply should be glad Peri Gilpin did agree to return again on a recurring foundation, and gave the “Frasier” revival its finest episode but because of this.