New Frasier series will honor the late John Mahoney

Now that the Frasier continuation has officially been greenlit, fans of tossed salad and scrambled eggs aren’t just wondering about plot details, but who will return. One cast member who will not, of course, is the late John Mahoney, who played Martin Crane, Frasier’s father–but Kelsey Grammer is planning to honor the actor.

In a new interview, Kelsey Grammer said that John Mahoney, who died in 2018 at age 77, will be paid tribute to on the show in a very much gone but not forgotten manner. “His loss is and was devastating and must be given the proper attention in honor of the extraordinary man he was and the contribution he made to the show and to the acting profession…We will most certainly be honoring him according to his merit. A man of merit he remains to this day.”

Kelsey Grammer previously said he wanted as much of the original cast back as possible. However, none of the key players–David Hyde Pierce as brother Niles, Jane Leeves as Martin’s physical therapist Daphne, Peri Gilpin as Frasier producer Roz–have officially been confirmed for the cast. One wonders if beloved dog Eddie–whose portrayers Moose and son Enzo have both since passed–will also be honored.

Kelsey Grammer has also made it clear that the new Frasier xeries will not be a reboot, but rather a “a new show centered around the character in a new set of circumstances and a new city.” So don’t expect to see the Seattle skyline or the psychiatrist working at the KACL radio station.

Throughout its 11-season run, Frasier earned more than 100 Emmy nominations, with 37 wins, including five consecutive for Outstanding Comedy Series, a record it now shares with Modern Family. John Mahoney himself earned two nominations, while Kelsey Grammer and David Hyde Pierce won four apiece.