David Hyde Pierce has firmly ruled out reprising his iconic role as Dr. Niles Crane in the upcoming Frasier revival, despite the widespread acclaim he garnered for his portrayal on the original NBC sitcom. The 64-year-old actor, who earned four Emmy Awards for his distinctive and humorous take on the character, articulated his decision in an interview with the Los Angeles Times, emphasizing that he had “never really wanted to go back.”
In elaborating on his stance, Pierce expressed his enduring love for the role but clarified that he desired to explore different projects. Presently starring in Max’s Julia as Paul Child, the husband of Julia Child, he disclosed, “It’s not like I said, ‘Oh, I don’t ever want to do that again.’ I loved every moment. It was that I wanted to do other things.”
David Hyde Pierce (Credits: Getty Images)
Reflecting on the revival discussions, Pierce recounted his involvement in the Julia TV show and a musical project, which influenced his decision. “I just thought, ‘I don’t want to be committed to a show and not be able to do stuff like this,'” he explained. Additionally, he recognized the evolution of Frasier, acknowledging the introduction of new characters and concluding, “And I think I’m right. It’s doing great. And the new people they have are great.”
In a previous conversation with PEOPLE in 2022, Pierce delved into the challenges he faced during the original Frasier era, navigating questions about his identity amid the AIDS crisis. Reflecting on his journey, he disclosed, “It took me a while to figure out how to just be me with all this attention and celebrity.”
Addressing his approach to privacy, he recounted a TV Guide interview where he responded, “‘My life is an open book. Just don’t expect me to read it to you.'” Pierce acknowledged the significance of ultimately speaking publicly about his partner, Brian, upon returning to the theater after Frasier.
While Paramount+’s Frasier reboot, led by Kelsey Grammer reprising the role of Dr. Frasier Crane, welcomes back some original cast members like Bebe Neuwirth and Peri Gilpin, the absence of key figures, including the late John Mahoney, who portrayed Frasier’s father Martin, is noted. The revival, set nearly 30 years after the original series, introduces new characters and continues to captivate audiences with the dynamic between familiar faces and fresh additions.
