Why Kelsey Grammer Didn't Want Daphne In Frasier
Daphne Moon (Jane Leeves) is a beloved character and integral part of Frasier, but she was originally rejected by star Kelsey Grammer. Frasier is a spinoff of Cheers, meaning the writers were under tremendous pressure to create a worthy successor to the Boston-set sitcom. Grammer, who reprises his role as Dr. Frasier Crane, was already hesitant about returning to the character and feared Daphne would hurt the show.
Frasier sees the recently divorced psychiatrist relocate to Seattle to host a radio show, but the acclaimed sitcom’s heart comes from its focus on family. When Frasier’s ex-cop father, Martin (John Mahoney), moves in with him, the pair begin to resolve their many differences. Martin’s presence prompts the arrival of Daphne, his live-in physical therapist. Although Daphne’s quirky nature doesn’t immediately sit well with Frasier, his equally elitist brother, Niles (David Hyde Pierce), is instantly smitten.
Related: How Was Frasier So Rich (How Much Money Did He Earn?)
Airing from 1993-2004 and ending after season 11, Frasier is regarded as one of the greatest sitcoms ever made. Grammer played Frasier for 20 years and is planning a reboot for Paramount +. Daphne provided some of Frasier’s best storylines but, according to co-creator Peter Casey, Grammer was reluctant to approve Daphne. Writing online, Casey recalled how the character changed from Hispanic to English, with the initial idea being to cast Rosie Perez, but the network loved British actor Jane Leeves for Frasier instead. However, Grammer had to be convinced to read with Leeves before he would agree to this revision and initially arrived at their meeting describing the changes in "a bit of a dark mood." (via Ken Levine/Blogspot)
He was concerned that
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