British Comedy Guide

Nicholas Lyndhurst to co-star in Frasier sequel

Saturday 14th January 2023, 9:27am

Goodnight Sweetheart. Gary Sparrow (Nicholas Lyndhurst)
  • Nicholas Lyndhurst will star alongside Kelsey Grammer in the new version of US sitcom Frasier
  • He will play Alan Cornwall, Frasier's old college friend turned boozy and larger than life university professor
  • The new version of the sitcom, coming to Paramount+, will see Frasier in a different city with "new challenges to face"

Nicholas Lyndhurst has been cast in a lead role in the reboot of hit US sitcom Frasier.

Variety reports that the Only Fools And Horses star will be one of the lead cast members alongside Kelsey Grammer.

The two actors have met before, having previously worked together in the 2019 English National Opera production of Man of La Mancha.

Variety says: "Plot details are being kept mostly under wraps for the series, but the official logline states, 'Frasier is off to a different city with new challenges to face, new relationships to forge, and an old dream or two to finally fulfill. Frasier has re-entered the building!'

"Lyndhurst will play Alan Cornwall, described as 'Frasier's old college buddy turned university professor. British, boozy and larger than life, Alan has an intellect on par with Frasier's - if only he ever felt like using it. Alan's mischievous streak might be just what Frasier could use to shake up his routine, while Frasier's thoughtful guidance might help Alan find some of the direction he's been missing in his own life.'"

This will be Lyndhurst's first regular sitcom role since he appeared in 2014 Radio 4 sitcom My First Planet, although the Butterflies and After You've Gone star did reprise his role of Gary Sparrow for the 2016 Goodnight Sweetheart revival.

Frasier, which is still regularly shown on Channel 4, ran for over 260 episodes between 1993 and 2004. The new version will be shown on Paramount+. David Hyde Pierce (Niles) and Jane Leeves (Daphne) are not believed to be returning, whilst John Mahoney (Martin) died in 2018.

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