'Frasier' Revival Officially In The Works With Kelsey Grammer
The show will pick up 17 years after the finale aired.
Dr. Frasier Crane is returning to the airwaves.
The classic sitcom Frasier is coming back after 17 years. The revival has been greenlit by ViacomCBS for the new streaming service Paramount+. The news was announced Wednesday as part of the company's unveiling of Paramount+.
Kelsey Grammer - who starred as Dr. Frasier Crane - is set to reprise his role.
"Having spent over 20 years of my creative life on the Paramount lot, both producing shows and performing in several, I'd like to congratulate Paramount+ on its entry into the streaming world," said Grammer. "I gleefully anticipate sharing the next chapter in the continuing journey of Dr. Frasier Crane."
CBS Studios is producing the show alongside Grammer's own Grammnet Productions. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Grammer has been working to make the revival happen for several years. Early rumblings of the show's possible return first surfaced in the summer of 2018, when Grammer had a chat with CBS Studios about the show. Paramount+ came into the picture earlier this month as talks progressed.
Chris Harris (How I Met Your Mother) and Joe Cristalli (Life in Pieces) — who for several years has run a Twitter account, @FrasierContempo, with lines and script pages featuring possible Frasier scenarios — will write the new show. They executive produce with Grammer and Grammnet's Tom Russo and Jordan McMahon.
Over the past few years, something similar has been going on with another classic sitcom - Seinfeld. Comedians Josh Gondelman and Jack Moore have run the now-defunct Twitter account @ModernSeinfeld, which serves up some solid ideas for current Seinfeld episode plots. I don't know if there's any amount of money or persuasion that could get Jerry Seinfeld on board for a revival, but Josh and Jacks' Twitter could definitely spark some consideration, at least.
"Frasier is one of the most acclaimed comedies in modern television history and truly defines premium storytelling," said CBS Studios president David Stapf. "There has long been a call from fans for its return, and that call is now answered thanks to the amazing Kelsey Grammer reprising his iconic role of Dr. Frasier Crane and a brilliant creative plan from Joe, Chris and Kelsey. We can't wait to reveal its next chapter on Paramount+."
There's no word yet on who from the classic Frasier cast will also be returning for the new outing.
John Mahoney, who played Frasier's father Martin Crane, passed away in 2018 at 77.
David Hyde Pierce, who played Frasier's outrageously lovable brother, was recently cast in the HBO Max show Julia. Hyde Pierce was tapped to replace Tom Hollander as Paul Child, Julia's husband. Hollander stepped away from the project due to a scheduling conflict. The series has received an eight-episode order.
Throughout the show's 11-season run, Hyde Pierce was nominated for a perfect 11 Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series, taking the award home four times.
Jane Leeves, who played Daphne Moon, found success on the hit sitcom Hot In Cleveland alongside Valerie Bertinelli, Wendie Malick, and the incomparable Betty White. Leeves starred on the show for its entire run from 2010-2015. She's now a series regular on Fox's The Resident.
Since Frasier's finale, Peri Gilpin - who played Frasier's loyal producer and friend Roz Doyle - has guest-starred in several major television shows including Desperate Housewives, Grey's Anatomy, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, and many others. She reunited with Jane Leeves on an episode of Hot In Cleveland in 2011, and in 2013 she appeared on ABC's Modern Family.
Before creating Modern Family along with Steve Levitan, Lloyd was a writer, then showrunner, and eventually executive producer for Frasier. Lloyd left the show after its seventh season, but returned to helm the series' last run in 2004. His involvement, if any, with the revival is unclear at this point.
The character of Frasier Crane was introduced to the world on Cheers in 1984. Grammer went on to star in the spinoff Frasier, which ran for 11 seasons on NBC. The series won 37 Emmys during its run, taking home the hardware for Best Comedy Series five consecutive times beginning in 1994. Grammer garnered four Primetime Emmy Awards for his portrayal of the show's title character.
The series currently streams on CBS All Access — which will become Paramount+ next week — as well as Hulu and Peacock.
- Matt Bishop