The “Frasier” sequel will return to where it all began: Boston. That city, of course, was the setting for “Cheers,” the series that first introduced the character of Frasier Crane, played by Kelsey Grammer, in 1984. The hit NBC spin-off “Frasier” relocated the character to Seattle; in his finale, de Frasier made the quick decision to fly to Chicago to chase a love interest, instead of heading to San Francisco, where a new TV job awaited.
But as Paramount + confirmed Wednesday morning, the new version of “Frasier” will follow the character “in the next chapter of his life as he returns to Boston, Mass., with new challenges, new relationships to forge and an old dream or two to finally fulfill.”
The first episode will be recorded this Friday in front of a live studio audience in Los Angeles. TV helm legend James Burrows will direct the first two episodes of the new series. Burrows is also baked into the show’s DNA: He is one of the co-creators, executive producers and directors of “Cheers,” and also directed the original “Frasier” pilot, “The Good Son,” in 1993. (He went on to direct several episodes of the first several seasons of this show.)
Burrows, of course, directed the majority of “Cheers” episodes, including 1984 episode of “Cheers,” the Season 3 premiere “Rebound,” which first introduced Frasier to the world.
Kelsey Grammer, James Burrows in 2001 at an event for the Paley Center – then known as the Museum of TV & Radio.
Ron Galella Collection via Getty
Burrows has won 10 Emmys and five Directors Guild of America Awards, and in addition to “Cheers” and “Frasier,” Burrows is also known for his work on sitcoms including “Will & Grace,” “Friends,” “Wings,” “Night Court, ” “Taxi,” “Dear John” and others.
Grammer as Frasier returns to Boston with a new cast: Jack Cutmore-Scott as Frasier’s son, Freddy; Nicholas Lyndhurst as Frasier’s old college buddy turned university professor, Alan; Toks Olagundoye as Alan’s colleague and head of the university’s psychology department, Olivia; Jess Salguerio as Freddy’s roommate, Eve; and Anders Keith as Frasier’s cousin, David.
Grammer will executive produce along with writers Chris Harris (“How I Met Your Mother”) and Joe Cristalli (“Life In Pieces”); other EPs include Tom Russo and Jordan McMahon. The new “Frasier” comes from CBS Studios along with Grammer’s Grammnet NH Productions.
Here’s a teaser for the return of “Frasier”:
