When the Frasier reboot — and if that will change as the Paramount+ series churns out new episodes. The original show, which was a spin-off of the equally acclaimed sitcom Cheers, saw Frasier Crane (Grammer) move from Boston to Seattle for a talk show. Now, the Frasier reboot reverses its title character's decision.

Eager to start his fourth act and repair his fractured relationship with his son, Freddy (Jack Cutmore-Scott), Dr. Crane s most well-ed aspects of the original Frasier was Niles' romance with Daphne Moon (Jane Leeves), a live-in housekeeper and physical therapist who works with Martin (John Mahoney), the Crane brothers' father, before eventually marrying Niles.

David Hyde Pierce Chose Not To Return For The Frasier Reboot

Niles' Absence From The Frasier Revival Is A Huge Disappointment

Niles was one of the best parts of the original show, so David Hyde Pierce's decision not to return for the reboot is massively disappointing. Grammer, who not only stars but also produces the new show, understands better than anyone how crucial Frasier and Niles' bond is to the franchise. Although Grammer reached out to his fellow Frasier actor, Pierce ed on the project. No matter how great it was being on the acclaimed sitcom, Pierce simply isn't interested in repeating a past performance. Notably, Pierce's stint as Niles earned him four Emmy Award wins and a whopping 11 nominations.

New episodes of the Frasier reboot's second season air on Paramount+ on Thursdays through November 14, 2024.

Pierce's stance on the Frasier reboot shouldn't come as a huge surprise to long-time fans. In 2017, well before any concrete news about the reboot existed, the actor was vocal about not wanting to appear in a revival. Of course, Pierce might not have thought Frasier would receive the reboot treatment at the time. Unfortunately for viewers, Pierce doubled down on his sentiments just a year before the Frasier reboot's first season aired.

“I never really wanted to go back... It’s not like I said, ‘Oh, I don’t ever want to do that again.’ I loved every moment. It was that I wanted to do other things. And when we got into real talks about the reboot, I had just started on the ‘Julia’ TV show and was working on a musical... And I just thought, ‘I don’t want to be committed to a show and not be able to do stuff like this.’ And I also thought, ‘They don’t actually need me.’ Frasier has moved on to a new world." — David Hyde Pierce, via Los Angeles Times

Not wanting to diminish the original show's importance, Pierce insisted that another Frasier show could happen without Niles, regardless of how much viewers love the character. In Pierce's mind, Frasier has evolved into something new — as is the case with reboots — and it's up to the show's current cast to make it just as memorable as the original.

How Frasier Explains Niles' Absence From The Reboot

Frasier Moves From Seattle To Boston To Avoid The Niles & Daphne Issue

In the lead-up to the reboot's premiere, Grammer was candid about just how difficult it was to get the Frasier revival off the ground — and part of that challenge was assembling a solid cast. Since both Pierce and Leeves turned down the project, the team behind the reboot had to pivot from the original series' Seattle backdrop. Considering how much time the brothers spent with each other, it would simply be unrealistic to not see them together if they lived in the same city. Taking a cue from Cheers, the production relocated Frasier to Boston in the reboot.

...the Boston-based reboot allows the solo Crane brother to reminisce about his brother without re-treading old ground or raising any logistical concerns.

Although putting some geographical distance between the Crane brothers effectively resolves the issue of Pierce's absence, it's strange to see Frasier on screen without Niles. In Cheers, Frasier never mentions his younger brother, partially because the writers hadn't needed to flesh out Frasier's backstory until his eponymous spin-off. That said, the Boston-based reboot allows the solo Crane brother to reminisce about his brother without re-treading old ground or raising any logistical concerns. Plus, the reboot's cast includes David Crane (Anders Keith), Niles and Daphne's son, which leaves the door open to plenty of references and future cameos.

What Kelsey Grammer Has Said About David Hyde Pierce's Absence From Frasier's Reboot

Grammer Wanted Pierce Involved In The Frasier Revival But Respected The Actor's Wishes

When the first season of the revival aired, Grammer addressed Niles' absence from the Frasier reboot. The star and producer reiterated that he and the rest of the reboot team really wanted to make Niles' role work. "I did my best to have him come along for the ride," Grammer explained. However, when Pierce eventually itted that he just didn't want to play Niles again, Grammer relented and respected his fellow actor's decision. Even though Grammer doesn't want to "force" a Niles cameo, he would love to see it happen if Pierce changes his mind.

Could David Hyde Pierce's Niles Eventually Appear In Frasier?

The Frasier Reboot Is Doing Well For Paramount+, Which Increases The Chances Of Niles' Return

Pierce's return to the Frasier set might seem unlikely, but it isn't impossible. In the wake of the success of Frasier season 1's original 10-episode order, Paramount+ renewed the series for a second outing. While it remains to be seen if Paramount+ will green-light the Frasier reboot's season 3, the longer the revival continues, the more likely Pierce will eventually agree to make a cameo on the show. One of the actor's core reasons for not returning was his desire to pursue new roles; that might change, freeing up Pierce's schedule for a brief appearance.

Although the Frasier reboot will never sur the original show's success, the first two seasons of the revival have been surprisingly well-received. Considering Pierce's protectiveness over the legacy of the series, it's possible he didn't want to be part of something that could have tarnished the enduring sitcom. Now that it's more of a sure thing, Pierce might be a bit more open to revisiting Niles, if only very briefly. Without a doubt, seeing the Crane brothers reunite on the screen would be a special treat for long-time Frasier fans.

Other Frasier Actors & Characters Missing From The Reboot

Future Seasons Of The Frasier Reboot Should Lean Into Memorable Cameos & Guest Stars

Niles Crane is far from the only original Frasier character missing from the reboot. As mentioned, Daphne, Niles' wife, also doesn't appear in the revival, and, sadly, Martin actor John Mahoney ed away in 2018. In the show's first outing, Peri Gilpin's Roz Doyle, Frasier's long-time friend and producer, and Bebe Neuwirth's Lilith Sternin, Frasier's ex and Freddy's mother, both returned in guest role capacities. The Frasier reboot's second season is set to feature other original characters, including Bob "Bulldog" Briscoe (Dan Butler), Gil Chesterton (Edward Hibbert), and Bebe Glazer (Harriet Sansom Harris).

Source: Los Angeles Times