Frasier: Kelsey Grammer explains how Niles’ absence changes his character in the sequel series

Kelsey Grammer will be returning to the role of Frasier Crane once again for a new spinoff series expected to premiere on Paramount+ by the end of the year. While a few familiar faces will be returning for the Frasier sequel series, there will be some major absences, including Frasier’s brother Niles.

David Hyde Pierce played Niles Crane throughout all eleven seasons of Frasier, but “wasn’t really interested in repeating the performance of Niles” for a new series. While this was initially a setback, Kelsey Grammer told The Independent that Niles’ absence enabled them to explore Frasier having a true friendship that wasn’t a family member.

“Frasier’s going to explore a true friendship, which we never had him do before,” Kelsey Grammer said. “David Hyde Pierce as Niles was his go-to – that is not available now. So the idea of a great friend became really appealing and new to Frasier. That’s a brand new world for him. This friend is played by Nicholas Lyndhurst, who is arguably one of the great actors of the UK. He’s become a great, great friend of mine personally.” Grammer added, “An entire [US] audience is gonna suddenly know who this guy is, who hasn’t known before. So there’s a lot of positive energy around the casting of it.“

After returning to Boston, Dr. Frasier Crane will “be faced with new challenges, new relationships to forge, and an old dream or two to finally fulfill.” In addition to Kelsey Grammer, the series will also star Jack Cutmore-Scott as Frasier’s son, Freddy, who is described as “charming, handsome, and a nuanced combination of his father and grandfather. Years ago, Freddy rejected following in his father’s footsteps—dropping out of college to become a fireman—and he’s never looked back until now, when recent troubles have left him with no one to turn to in his life. If they can overcome past differences, Freddy and Frasier might finally have a chance to repair old wounds.” The series also stars Nicholas Lyndhurst as Frasier’s old college buddy turned university professor, Alan; Toks Olagundoye as Alan’s colleague and head of the university psychology department, Olivia; Jess Salguerio as Freddy’s roommate, Eve; and Anders Keith as Frasier’s nephew, David, son of Niles and Daphne.

While we may not see Niles returning for the Frasier sequel series, we will see Bebe Neuwirth guest-starring as Lilith, Frasier’s ex-wife and mother of Freddy, and Peri Gilpin guest-starring as Roz Doyle, Frasier’s producer at KACL.