Kelsey Grammer reveals when filming for the Frasier reboot might begin. Debuting as a supporting character in Cheers, Frasier Crane became a fan-favorite, making it easy for NBC to launch his own offshoot. So, after his stint in Boston hanging out with Sam Malone and the rest of the crew over at Cheers, he returned home to Seattle, where he started a brand new life as a radio psychiatrist in Frasier.
Aside from playing Frasier Crane, the actor is also spearheading the creative team behind the Frasier reboot from Paramount+. The project was long in development before the streaming service officially greenlit it, but since it was announced in 2021, not much has been revealed about the project. Plot specifics remain scant, and most importantly, there are no confirmed cast members, aside from Grammer himself. Despite this, the Frasier reboot continues to be in development, and even with a potential filming date start.
In his upcoming guest appearance on The Talk (via Deadline), the actor is asked when production will begin for the Frasier reboot show. Grammer says that there are ongoing discussions about kicking off principal photography in October, but adds that it may be later. Finally, he admits he really doesn't know at that moment. He does say, however, that they are on the cusp of finalizing the script for the first episode. Read his full quote below:
Shooting? There were some conversations about October, maybe a little later. I don’t know. There are a couple of other things coming up. We’ve developed a couple of other projects that look like they’re going to shoot first...
[We're] in the final stages of the final script for the first episode of the Frasier reboot and it looks pretty good. I’ve had a couple of runs through it, and I cried, so you know, I’m happy.
For some context, Grammer said in mid-2021 that the Frasier reboot will be released in 2022. Clearly, that isn't going to be the case, especially since there isn't even a clear production start date. In any case, the project has already been stuck in production limbo for years, long before Paramount+ officially picked it up. Unfortunately, the involvement of Paramount Global doesn't seem to speed things up for the Cranes' impending return to the small screen. In a recent interview, David Hyde Pierce didn't sound like he was part of the project, at least for now. In fact, he even said that he believes that the Frasier reboot can happen without Niles.
At this point, it's safe to say that the Frasier revival won't come out until late 2023, at the earliest. As Grammer said, he might be working on other projects first, which means it could be pushed back significantly. Once the show's premise is locked in, casting and then scheduling still need to be ironed out, which could be gruesome, since other actors from the sitcom's original run may not be available to return. Taking all this into consideration, it may take a much longer while before the Cranes make their small-screen comeback.
Source: Deadline