Actor Nicholas Lyndhurst has joined the Frasier revival, Variety reports. Lyndhurst will reunite with Frasier lead Kelsey Grammer, as the two previously collaborated in the English National Opera’s Man of La Mancha. He is the first known cast member joining the anticipated Paramount+ series. While the series looked to feature the key members of its original cast, only Grammer is currently attached to the series. In November, Grammer confirmed that David Hyde Pierce (who famously played his brother Niles) would not reprise his role.
Lyndhurst has been cast as Alan Cornwall, Frasier’s college friend who now works as a university professor. His character description describes him as “British, boozy and larger than life, Alan has an intellect on par with Frasier’s—if only he ever felt like using it. Alan’s mischievous streak might be just what Frasier could use to shake up his routine, while Frasier’s thoughtful guidance might help Alan find some of the direction he’s been missing in his own life.”
Lyndhurst is a former child actor who is best known for portraying Rodney Trotter from 1981 to 2003 in the British sitcom Only Fools and Horses. Other notable credits include Goodnight Sweetheart, Going Straight, Butterflies, The Two of Us, The Piglet Files, and After You’ve Gone. In 2019, he portrayed the Governor/Innkeeper in Man of La Mancha. In that production, Grammer played Cervantes/Quixote.
Grammer stars and executive produces the upcoming revival. The series is written by Chris Harris (How I Met Your Mother) and Joe Cristalli (Life In Pieces). The two also serve as executive producers alongside Grammnet Productions’ Tom Russo and Jordan McMahon.
From Cheers to the Emmy Awards
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The Frasier revival has been a long time coming for Grammer, who has been working towards bringing the series back to the screen for a while. Fans of the original were elated when the revival confirmation was announced in February 2021. When Frasier returns, audiences will see the quirky psychiatrist in a new city. Rehearsals are scheduled to begin next month.
Audiences first met Dr. Frasier Crane during Cheers’ third season, when he was introduced as Diane Chambers’ (Shelley Long) love interest. While Grammer began the series as a recurring character, it was not long until he became a regular, appearing in the hit series until its conclusion in 1993. The spin-off Frasier saw the divorced doctor living in Seattle, where he worked as a popular radio psychiatrist. Through its successful 11-year run, Frasier earned 37 Emmy Awards, with four going to Grammer for Outstanding Lead Actor.
Frasier’s original central cast also included Jane Leeves, Peri Gilpin, and John Mahoney. Unfortunately, Mahoney passed away in 2018 following a battle with cancer.
