The new Frasier reboot takes a different turn as it’s missing an important person, David Hyde Pierce, who played Niles Crane. Niles’ absence leaves a dent in the plot of the new Paramount + reboot; however, the producers have assured a good storyline without the original actor playing the role.
Niles’ absence on the revival sadly implies that his brotherly bond with Frasier had been lost, if not, he would at least make an appearance by visiting. Kelsey Grammer revealed that Niles had to be taken out of the script because David Hyde Pierce did not want to do a repeat performance of the role.
Frasier reconnects with an old friend in the reboot
While Niles is not in the picture, the snippet shows Frasier and his friend, Alan, reconnecting in Boston. The official synopsis of the series says that their friendship was a longtime one, even though Alan was never referenced or shown in the original.
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Grammar claims Alan was Frasier’s first adult friend— more like the character’s first equal friend. They were classmates from Havard, where Alan lectures and helps his friend get into the prestigious school’s Psychology department. Unlike the dynamic between Frasier and his little brother, his interaction with Alan is a lot more cordial.
Niles’ absence changes everything
Critics and fans have argued that Frasier cannot be successful without some characters, including Niles and his wife, Daphne, played by Jane Leeves. Since Niles is nowhere to be found, it is unlikely that Daphne will also appear in the reboot. The script takes a new turn to make up for Frasier’s potential loneliness.
Fans initially thought Niles died but were glad to learn that was not the case. Instead, the new reboot insinuates that the siblings are no longer on talking terms, but that still leaves a question of why. The reboot might never measure up to the iconic series, which holds the most Emmy wins for a comedy.