Only Fools and Horses star Nicholas Lyndhurst is busy filming Frasier’s revival this week, it’s been confirmed – in his first major role since the death of his son.
The legend will appear in two episodes of the Paramount+ reboot of the American sitcom – which was a spin-off from Cheers – as Alan, a friend of Kelsey Grammer’s character Dr. Frasier Crane.
The 61-year-old actor – who played Rodney Trotter in Only Fools and Horses alongside Sir David Jason as his older brother Del Boy – will film his scenes in front of a studio audience in Los Angeles.
Kelsey, 67, is delighted to have Nicholas on board after they became friends after starring together in the 2019 West End production of The Man From La Mancha.
A representative for Frasier said, “Frasier Crane into the next chapter of his life as he returns to Boston with new challenges to face, new relationships to forge and an old dream or two to finally achieve. Frasier has entered the building!
Role: Only Fools and Horses star Nicholas Lyndhurst is busy filming Frasier’s revival this week, it has been confirmed – in his first major role since the death of his son
The new series will also star actress Toks Olagundoye as Olivia, a fellow Frasier, and Jack Cutmore-Scott as the son of psychotherapeutic radio presenter Freddy Crane.
Freddy is described as a mix of his father and grandfather, Marty Crane, a role played by John Mahoney, who died in 2019 aged 77 from complications from throat cancer.
The Offspring of Frasier’s character description reads: “Years ago, Freddy rejected following in his father’s footsteps, dropping out of college to become a firefighter, and he never looked back until ‘until now, when recent troubles have left him with no one to turn to in his life.’
News of the show – which will not involve its former co-stars David Hyde Pierce, Jane Leeves and Peri Gilpin – was confirmed last month after speculation dating back to 2021.
Jack – who is best known for his work on the TV series Deceptio – joked about his casting as a reason to break his nearly five-year hiatus from Instagram.
The 35-year-old actor wrote on the social media platform in January, “Frasier” is coming back!!!
“Must be worth an Instagram post after almost five years. Hey too! I know it’s been a while, but I hope you’re doing well.
Best known for his role as Rodney Trotter on the British sitcom Only Fools And Horses, Nicholas’ performances on Goodnight Sweetheart, New Tricks and Butterflies are just a few other titles to his credit.
Exciting: The Legend will appear in two episodes of the Paramount+ reboot of the American sitcom – which was a spin-off from Cheers – as Alan, a friend of Kelsey Grammer’s character Dr. Frasier Crane
Tough: The actor had a tough few years, after losing his son Archie aged 19 to a brain haemorrhage
The actor had a tough few years after losing his son Archie at the age of 19 to a brain hemorrhage.
It was later claimed that he was considering stepping back from acting following the tragic loss.
At the time, 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 that it is “ridiculous”.
Laurence told the Daily Star on Sunday: “Nicholas suffered a tragedy. It must have broken his heart. It would break anyone’s heart.
Friends: Kelsey, 67 (pictured) is delighted to have Nicholas on board after they became friends after starring together in the 2019 West End production of The Man of La Mancha
“He always kept to himself and now he will more than ever. Now that he has lost his son, he will never go out again. I doubt we’ll see him play anymore.
However, a representative for Nicholas told MailOnline: ‘It is complete nonsense that Nicholas Lyndhurst is retired or retiring.
It comes after an insider claimed that the The long-awaited sequel to Frasier may leave fans disappointed with the missing cast members, Z-list writers and producers, and lack of lavish sets.
Sources familiar with the new show, directed by Kelsey Grammer as he reprises his role as Dr. Frasier Crane, claimed the set was operating on a shoestring budget with rookie actors and writers, RadarOnline reports.
Back then: Best known for his role as Rodney Trotter on the British sitcom Only Fools And Horses (pictured with Dellboy), Nicholas’ performances on Goodnight Sweetheart, New Tricks and Butterflies are just a few other titles to his credit
“With the Paramount + Frasier reboot, you get the actor you know and love in his most famous role, but you don’t get much else,” the sources said. “There will be no lavish sets and none of the beloved fan faces will be expensive. Even the writers and producers are Z-listed.
The alleged issues come just months after Grammer, 67, announced the reboot had been greenlit by Paramount+, with the beloved actor serving as executive producer.
The ’90s saw Grammer rocket to national fame on Cheers spin-off series, Frasier, with the actor who would be in talks for years to try to revive the show.
However, Grammer is expected to be the only returning original actor after David Hyde Pierce, who played Fraiser’s little brother Niles, reportedly demanded a bigger role in the reboot and more pay.
Reunion: News of the show – which will not involve its former co-stars David Hyde Pierce, Jane Leeves and Peri Gilpin – was confirmed last month after speculation dating back to 2021
“David has become a huge star on Broadway,” a source told RadarOnline. “He doesn’t need the show, so he decided to make the most of his looks. In the end, he overplayed his hand and lost.
The fallout with Niles led to the show scrapping a large reunion scene and instead choosing to move Dr. Frasier from his hometown of Seattle to a new city with an all-new cast.
“They were all excited to come back and were devastated when they found out it wasn’t going to happen,” an insider told the outlet.
Along with the big missing actors comes a lack of seasoned writers, as the show’s main scribes are Chris Harris and Joe Cristalli.
Both writers 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 canceled CBS sitcom starring Colin Hanks, the son of famed actor Tom Hanks.
Despite the lack of big names attached to the show, sources said Kelsey hopes her charm will see a return from longtime fans.
“Kelsey’s bet is that it will be enough to attract a large audience,” an insider said. “The reboot will have all those delicious one-liners that made it so famous to begin with.”
In addition to a missing Niles, one of the original series’ most popular characters, Frasier’s father, Martin, won’t be returning either.
Martin was played by John Mahoney, who died at the age of 77 in a Chicago hospice in February 2018 due to complications from throat cancer.
Absent from the reboot will also be Jane Leeves, who played Daphne Moon, and Peri Gilpin, who played Roz Doyle.
Their absence, Grammer said, will be addressed on the show.
“We will certainly be sensitive to the fact that there was a brother and such. But the new world for Frasier is one of new friendships – and new twists he didn’t know were still there,’ Grammer said in October.
Paramount+ confirmed the reboot was in development in February 2021, with Grammer announcing last July that the script was underway.
The iconic series, Frasier, is available to stream now only on Stan in Australia.
Here we go: Paramount+ confirmed the reboot was in development in February 2021, with Grammer announcing last July that the script was underway
