Frasier Actor Anthony LaPaglia Addresses Possible Return in Revival Series

Kelsey Grammer is soon revisiting the world of Frasier with a revival series in development for the Paramount+ streaming service, but fans should not go into the new show expecting to see something that’s a lot like its predecessor. Itself a spinoff of Cheers, Frasier originally ran for 11 seasons between 1993 and 2004. The Emmy-winning series was created by David Angell, Peter Casey, and David Lee, with the cast also starring Jane Leeves as Daphne Moon, David Hyde Pierce as Niles, Peri Gilpin as Roz, and the late John Mahoney as Martin.

One big change that’s already been revealed for the Paramount+ revival is that the location has completely changed, moving from Seattle back to Boston where Cheers was set. It’s also been reported that other original stars won’t be joining Fraser, as he’s the only confirmed star from Frasier that will serve as a main star of the new show. Special appearances, however, are seemingly not out of the question.

In any case, actor Anthony LaPaglia says he’s happy to return to reprise his Frasier role, but he isn’t exactly getting his hopes up. LaPaglia played Daphne’s brother, Simon Moon, in the previous series, and given her absence along with the new setting of the revival, chances are a return is highly unlikely. With that said, LaPaglia will still be watching the revival series, even if it’s just as a fan. As he tells Globe World News Echo:

“I would do it in a heartbeat. But I’m pretty sure that I’m not in the architecture of the new [series]. I think the new one will be slightly different. John Mahoney is not there, and I don’t think David Hyde Pierce is in it either. I don’t know what form is taking, but I’m perfectly happy with what I did. It was great fun at the time. And sometimes revisiting things could spoil that memory. I hope it does well. I certainly want to know how it all unfolds.”

Related: Kelsey Grammer Says Frasier Revival Will Pay Tribute to Kirstie Alley’s Cheers Performance

The Frasier Revival Will Be Entirely Different

Getting to this point in development on the Frasier revival has taken many years. Earlier on in the process, the goal was to try and get all of original stars (sans Mahoney) to join Grammer for the new show. While that ultimately didn’t happen, Grammer has come to see the silver lining, as it forces the Frasier crew to get creative and come up with something that’s more original but still just as entertaining as its predecessor.

“We were first circling it five years ago, and finally got through the development process. It’s been through several manifestations — we originally wanted everyone to be back, and we still moved Frasier, because he left Seattle in the previous incarnation,” Grammer said on Live with Kelly and Ryan. “And this needs to be another act for him. Jane [Leeves] and David [Hyde Pierce] and Peri [Gilpin] were sort of on the fence and we couldn’t quite make it all happen. In the end it turned out to be a great thing. Frasier’s going back to Boston to tie up some loose ends in his life.”

A premiere date hasn’t yet been announced for the new Frasier.