After many conversations, David Hyde Pierce has officially revealed the one condition that would make him go back as Niles in the Frasier reboot. Despite Frasier Crane claiming to be an only child in Cheers, the original Seattle series walked back on it to introduce his younger brother, who was like him but snootier. Thanks to a combination of great writing and Pierce’s brilliant performance, Niles immediately became a fan favorite, so his absence was felt throughout the first 10 episodes of the Frasier reboot. With season 2 on the way, interest in his possible return only continues to grow.
In a new interview with Metro UK, Pierce reveals that he has one condition that would make him reprise Niles in the Frasier reboot, and it has something to do with how much he will be on it. While he is open to a guest appearance, that’s the extent of his commitment to the Paramount+ project. Pierce adds that he wants to explore other projects outside his legacy as Niles, regardless of how beloved he is as that character. Read his full quote below:
I think right from the beginning, when we talked about it, if the idea of had we been we were going to do, like, a one-off special episode, or something that would have been very easy to commit to. It isn’t so much about not doing that show, it’s about the other opportunities that I have that I don’t want to turn down.
Why The Frasier Reboot Needs Niles’ Appearance
For years, Kelsey Grammer had been working on getting the Frasier revival off the ground. He has revealed that the original plan for the show was to bring back Niles, with the premise supposedly seeing Martin’s son run a black box theater. Unfortunately, Pierce passed up the opportunity, and Jane Leeves had the same stand, hence why Niles and Daphne are absent from the Paramount+ project. The revival had David mention his parents, including in the Frasier reboot season 1 finale, but that wasn’t remotely enough to make up for their absence.
Currently, Niles’ closest family is in Boston, and with Martin gone, nothing is really keeping him in Seattle. At the very least, he and Daphne should be visiting his brother, nephew, and son across the country, especially in light of Martin’s passing. Niles’ continued absence is only going to be made worse with Gil and Bulldog’s appearance in Frasier season 2. If Frasier’s former KACL co-workers can visit him in Boston, there is no justified reason for Niles and Daphne not to meet him and the rest of the family in Beantown.
It’s worth noting, however, that Pierce has always been against the idea of reviving Frasier. He has argued that the show was a reflection of its time, hence why it would be best to leave it there. That’s understandable, considering the many failed reboots and revivals in recent years that ultimately tainted the legacy of their original shows. That said, Niles’ continued absence is causing more problems, considering the aforementioned factors. Hopefully, that cameo that Pierce is willing to do finally happens in Frasier season 2.
