The Frasier reboot has reportedly cast British actor Nicholas Lyndhurst to play alongside Kelsey Grammer as his “old college pal.”
In the months since Paramount+ gave the green light to the new series of the 1990s sitcom, many have wondered if the cast will look the same as they did 30 years ago.
And now it’s clear that Only Fools and Horses star Nicholas, 61, will play a key role in Frasier’s past, hinting at the speculative storyline that has been so kept under wraps.
Reveal: The Frasier reboot has reportedly cast British actor Nicholas Lyndhurst to play alongside Kelsey Grammer as his ‘old college pal’
Variety reports that he is the first cast member announced to be joining the fan-favorite sitcom and that it marks a reunion for Grammer and Lyndhurst.
The couple previously worked together at English National Opera at the London Coliseum in 2019 for The Man from La Mancha.
While the storyline has been kept secret since the 2021 reboot was announced, the official transcript states, “Frasier is headed to another town with new challenges, new relationships to forge, and an old dream or two, which must finally be fulfilled. Frasier has re-entered the building!’
And the publication explained that Lyndhurst’s character is Alan Cornwall: “Frasier’s old college pal turned university professor”.
Star role: Only Fools and Horses star Nicholas, 61, is believed to play a key role in Frasier’s past, hinting at the speculative plot that has been so kept under wraps
The description read: “British, boozy and larger than life, Alan has an intellect to rival Frasier’s – if only he ever wanted to.”
“Alan’s mischievous streak could be just what Frasier could use to shake up his routine, while Frasier’s thoughtful guidance could help Alan find some of the direction he’s been missing in his own life.”
Best known for his role as Rodney Trotter on the British sitcom Only Fools And Horses, Nicholas’ appearances on Goodnight Sweetheart, New Tricks and Butterflies are just a few other titles to his credit.
The actor had a difficult few years after losing his son Archie to a brain hemorrhage at the age of 19.
Return: Variety reports that he is the first cast member announced to be joining the fan-favorite sitcom and it marks a reunion for Grammer and Lyndhurst
Then: Best known for his role as Rodney Trotter on British sitcom Only Fools And Horses (pictured with Dellboy), Nicholas’ appearances on Goodnight Sweetheart, New Tricks and Butterflies are just a few other titles to his credit
It was then claimed that he was considering retiring from acting following the tragic loss.
The star’s close friend, writer Laurence Marks, 73, said Nicholas may not return to public life after his heartbreak, which the actor’s camp insists is “ridiculous”.
Laurence told the Daily Star Sunday: “Nicholas went through a tragedy. It must have broken his heart. It would break anyone’s heart.
“He’s always kept to himself, and now more than ever he will. Now he’s lost his son, he’ll never get out. I doubt we’ll see him act any more.’
However, a representative for Nicholas told Web: “It is utter nonsense that Nicholas Lyndhurst is retired or retiring.
Reunion: While the storyline has been kept secret since the 2021 reboot was announced, the official transcript reads, “Frasier is on his way to another town with new challenges” (the cast is pictured at the Emmy Awards).
It comes after an insider claimed the long-awaited Frasier sequel could leave fans disappointed at a lack of cast members, Z-list writers and producers and a lack of lavish sets.
Sources familiar with the new show, which will be helmed by Kelsey Grammer as he reprises his role as Dr. Frasier Crane repeatedly claimed the set was running on a low budget with inexperienced cast and writers, reports RadarOnline.
“With the Paramount+ Frasier reboot, you get the actor you know and love in his most famous role, but you don’t get much more,” the sources said. “There will be no lavish sets and none of the beloved faces that fans care about. Even the writers and producers are Z-List.’
The alleged troubles come just months after Grammer, 67, announced that Paramount+ had given the green light for the reboot, with the beloved actor serving as executive producer.
Kelsey Grammer’s Frasier sequel is reportedly cheap, lacks lavish sets, and is being directed by Z-list writers and producers
In the ’90s, Grammer rose to national fame with the Cheers spin-off series Frasier, with the actor reportedly being in talks for years to try to revive the show.
However, Grammer is said to be the only returning original cast member after David Hyde Pierce, who played Fraiser’s little brother Niles, reportedly demanded a bigger role in the reboot and more pay.
“David has become a huge star on Broadway,” a source told RadarOnline. “He doesn’t need the show so he decided to use his looks to the max. In the end he overplayed his hand and lost.”
Original: Only Grammer will reprise his role as Dr. Frasier Crane reprise, with his fellow co-stars reportedly cut after a falling out with David Hyde Pierce (second from right), who played Frasier’s little brother Niles, one of the series’ most popular characters
The falling out with Niles led to the show scrapping a major reunion scene, opting instead to feature Dr. Frasier from his hometown of Seattle to a new city with a brand new cast.
“They were all excited to come back and were devastated to realize it wasn’t going to happen,” an insider told the outlet.
The lack of well-known actors is accompanied by a lack of experienced writers, as the show’s principal writers are Chris Harris and Joe Cristalli.
Both authors have short profiles on IMDB, with Harris having previously worked on How I Met Your Mother and David Letterman.
Cristalli’s best known work is Life In Pieces, a discontinued CBS sitcom starring Colin Hanks, son of famous actor Tom Hanks.
Despite the lack of big names associated with the show, sources said Kelsey hopes his charm will bring longtime fans back.
“Kelsey’s bet is that he’ll be enough to draw a large audience,” an insider said. “The reboot will have all of those delicious one-liners that made it so famous to begin with.”
Storytellers: The Frasier reboot’s lead writers are Chris Harris (left) and Joe Cristalli (right). Harris previously worked on How I Met Your Mother and Letterman, while Cristalli’s major work was on the defunct CBS sitcom Life In Pieces
Along with a missing Niles, one of the original series’ most beloved characters, Frasier’s father Martin will also not be returning.
Martin was played by John Mahoney, who died of complications from throat cancer in a Chicago hospice in February 2018 at the age of 77.
Also absent from the reboot are Jane Leeves, who played Daphne Moon, and Peri Gilpin, who played Roz Doyle.
Her absence, Grammer said, will be covered on the show.
“We’re certainly going to respond to the fact that there was a brother and stuff. But the new world for Frasier is one of the new friendships — and some new twists and turns that he didn’t know were still around,” Grammer said in October.
Paramount+ confirmed the reboot was in development in February 2021, with Grammer announcing last July that scripting was underway.
Claims: Sources said Grammer believes his star power alone will bring fans back to the reboot. Pictured: Grammer accepting an Emmy on the old show’s final season in 2004