After several years of rumours, it's official — Dr. Frasier Crane is back in business. Julie McNamara, head of programming for Paramount+, announced today that Kelsey Grammer will be returning as Dr. Crane in a new incarnation of the classic series that will be penned by Chris Harris (How I Met Your Mother) and Joe Cristalli (Life In Pieces), who will also executive produce alongside Kelsey Grammer.
"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 Kelsey Grammer in a statement. "I gleefully anticipate sharing the next chapter in the continuing journey of Dr. Frasier Crane." It's not known just where this new incarnation of Frasier will find the good doctor, but Deadline has heard that David Hyde Pierce, who played Frasier's brother Niles, has also been approached about returning. CBS Studios President David Stapf added, "Frasier is one of the most acclaimed comedies in modern television history and truly defines premium storytelling. 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 +."
Kelsey Grammer has previously teased that when Frasier does return, audiences should be prepared for a different version of the series. "We’ll see how people respond to it, because it’s not gonna be the same place, not gonna be Seattle, it’s not gonna be the same Frasier, it’s gonna be the man in his next iteration. Hopefully that’ll be something people like watching," he said, adding that the revival will be about "his search for love, for one thing, I think that will always go on with Frasier, but [also] a connection with his son." In addition to Kelsey Grammer and David Hyde Pierce, Frasier also starred John Mahoney as Martin Crane, Jane Leeves as Daphne Moon, and Peri Gilpin as Roz Doyle. With the obviously exception of John Mahoney, who sadly passed away in 2018, it's not known if any of the other Frasier regulars will be returning.