Star and producer Kelsey Grammer confirms that the Frasier reboot will address Martin Crane’s absence. After being stuck in development limbo for years, the revival is finally moving forward with a series order from Paramount+. Aside from the Grammar’s return as the snooty Frasier Crane, not much else is known regarding the project, including when it might be released and who else will be in it.
One character that sadly can’t appear in the show is Martin Crane, Frasier and Niles’ charming dad. John Mahoney, who played the character for 11 seasons on NBC, passed away in early 2018. At that point, Grammer was still trying to work on selling the idea of the Frasier reboot. Functioning as a foil to his upper-class sons, Martin was an integral part of the original series. His cheery disposition, biting humor, and fatherly warmth made the show a real family sitcom. So, his absence in the Frasier revival will definitely be felt.
Although Grammer is being very careful with what to reveal about the Frasier reboot’s story, he has confirmed it will address Martin’s absence. Speaking with PIX11 News, the actor re-affirms the new project will see his character in a different city, starting the third and perhaps last act of his life. Despite being away from family, he assures fans that the Frasier revival will deal with Martin’s status in light of Mahoney’s death. Read Grammer’s full quote below:
Of course, John [Mahoney] is gone, we’re gonna be dealing with that in the show.
What Martin Crane’s Absence Means For Frasier
Frasier’s return to Seattle from Boston, where Cheers was set, was the narrative launching pad for his own spinoff. But it was Martin’s move to live with him that really set the tone of the sitcom. After suffering an injury as a policeman, the older Crane moved in with his eldest. This created a fun dynamic for the show to play with, especially given their contrasting personalities. While Frasier had expensive taste, Martin was more of an Everyman, similar to the patrons of Cheers. Throughout the years, their relationship evolved to be more loving, so there’s no wonder that Frasier losing his dad will have a big impact on him. How the Frasier reboot will handle that remains uncertain, but it won’t be surprising if it becomes the emotional core of the series.
While Martin’s absence is confirmed, it’s unclear if the Frasier reboot will see the rest of the original cast. It has been previously confirmed that they won’t be returning as core cast members, but only as guest stars. However, due to the scarcity of updates for the Frasier project, it’s still difficult to get invested in the idea that Niles, Daphne, and Roz will all be back, unless there’s official confirmation. It’s worth noting, however, that the ensemble cast of Frasier was a big reason for its success. It would be disappointing if Paramount+ doesn’t at least try to bring them in for cameos.
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