Kelsey Grammer loves portraying Dr. Frasier Crane… so much so, that he hopes to play the character for “another 100 episodes at least.” Grammer began portraying the iconic character in 1984 when he appeared on Cheers as a love interest to Diane Chambers (Shelley Long). Grammer remained on the sitcom until its concluding Season 11 in 1993, but Frasier wouldn’t be gone for long. Months after Cheers wrapped, Grammer was back as Dr. Crane, this time on Frasier, which saw his character back in his native Seattle, working as a radio psychiatrist and surrounded by a new, and equally incredible, cast of characters.
Nearly two decades later, Grammer was back in Dr. Crane’s (more relaxed) shoes for Paramount+’s reboot. The revival is now in its second season, and Grammer hopes it runs for many more. During an interview with the Toronto Sun, he shared:
“I want to do another 100 episodes at least. Whether we get there sooner rather than later, I don’t know. We could get there in four years if they wanted to, but we don’t need to. If they want to spread it out a little longer, that’s fine with me. I think he’s going to be relevant and interesting because I intend to stay that way.”
Frasier fans would not be opposed: Dr. Frasier Crane remains one of television history’s most beloved characters. Grammer racked up accolades throughout his decades-long portrayal of Frasier, earning award nods for his brilliant portrayal of the character in Cheers, Wings, and Frasier, and several wins for the latter. It’s impossible to envision anyone else as Frasier, and, not surprisingly, Grammer says revisiting the character has been easy:
“Getting into Frasier is always easy. He was created by writers, but I gave him what I like call, breath, blood and bones. That’s what I brought to it and I still got it all.”
Frasier Revival Could See More Original Cast Members Return
The original Frasier aired for 11 seasons, winning 37 Primetime Emmy Awards during that time, with its final episode airing in 2004. Grammer is the only original series actor to return for the revival in a starring role (at least for now), but that makes sense given that the new series sees him back in Boston. Alongside Grammer, Paramount+’s Frasier stars Jack Cutmore-Scott, Anders Keith, Nicholas Lyndhurst, Toks Olagundoye, and Jess Salguiero.
Critically speaking, the Frasier reboot has not reached its predecessor’s success, but audiences are enjoying seeing Frasier (whether it be again or for the first time). Bebe Neuwirth and Peri Gilpin have reprised their roles as Dr. Lilith Sternin and Roz Doyle, respectively, for the revival, but we’d still love to see more of the original cast return. And there seems to be some hope:
“We may see Niles (David Hyde Pierce), but it will depend on him, honestly, and whether we come up with a story that makes sense. Of course we have his son on the show, and he keeps us connected to Niles and Daphne (Jane Leeves). But it would be really fun if they put in an appearance.”
Related Kelsey Grammer Explains Why Frasier Season 2 Will ‘Rival Anything’ from Original Show
Kelsey Grammer promises the new season of Frasier will satisfy fans of the original episodes.
While John Mahoney, who played Frasier’s father, a retired cop, sadly passed away in 2018, elements of the new series connect with Mahoney’s Martin. One of those things is Frasier’s relationship with his son, Freddy (Cutmore-Scott) as Grammer says that “the father coming to terms with his son in the original is parroted again.”
New episodes of Frasier Season 2 air on Paramount+ on Thursdays.
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