Good morning, Seattle! We’re kicking off today’s broadcast with some juicy news: Bebe Neuwirth has renewed her role as Lilith in the upcoming Frasier reboot, sparking another round of discourse about the highly-anticipated Paramount+ show.
Aside from Kelsey Grammer as the show’s highly-strung namesake, Neuwirth is the first original cast member officially confirmed to return. Neuwirth first appeared in the iconic 80s sitcom Cheers, where Grammer originated the beloved Frasier Crane and eventually won his own spin-off show.
Neuwirth quickly rose to fame following her appearance as Frasier’s love interest in 1986. She proved such a hit as the sharp-tongued and formidable Lilith that she was eventually rostered as a permanent fixture and went on to win two Emmys in the role. By the time Frasier aired in 1994, the on-screen couple had married, divorced, and were locked in a bitter feud over their son Freddy.
As yet, no other original cast members have confirmed their return, although David Hyde Pierce has confirmed he will not be appearing as Frasier’s equally pompous-yet-loveable brother Niles. John Mahoney as Martin Crane will also be sorely missed following his passing in 2018. When questioned on how he will handle the void left by two of the original show’s key characters, executive producer Grammer commented “we have to honour the fact that John Mahoney died and that Martin is no longer with us [and] we’ll certainly be responsive about the fact that there was a brother and such’’.
On the direction the reboot will be taking, Grammar has hinted “the new world for Frasier is one of new friendships – and some new twists and turns he didn’t know were still in there” – and speaking of new friends, Only Fools and Horses’ Nicholas Lyndhurst will be joining the show as Professor Alan Cornwall.
Jack Cutmore-Scott (Deception) has been cast as Frasier’s now grown-up son Freddy Crane, whilst Jess Salgueiro (The Boys) will be joining as Eve, Freddy’s college roommate. Newcomer Anders Keith will also be joining as Daphne and Niles’ grown-up son David, who has been described as “an awkward college freshman with a penchant for off-kilter observations”. Many are also hoping to see some old faces from Cheers appearing throughout the reboot, though there has been no suggestion this will be the case.
Rehearsals for the reboot would be starting within the following weeks, but there is currently no release date.
Words by Kate Padley
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