Summary

• Niles' return in the Frasier reboot is crucial for fans, even if it's just for a one-off cameo appearance. Luckily, he's open to reprising the role, but only in a limited capacity.
• David Hyde Pierce's one condition for reprising Niles is simple and easy to meet, making his return highly anticipated.
• Bringing Niles back to Boston for a visit is a natural fit narratively for the Frasier reboot, with plenty of reasons for him to be there with his brother and son.

After David Hyde Pierce revealed his condition for reprising Niles, I won't accept any excuse for not seeing the younger Crane brother in the Frasier reboot. Kelsey Grammer has always been great as Frasier Crane. Even when he was a side character in Cheers with minimal screentime, he shone, so despite the initial skepticism of awarding him his spinoff, it made sense for Frasier creators, David Angell, Peter Casey, and David Lee to pursue it. However, as much as I enjoy Frasier, I know that a big part of why the original show was so entertaining was because of Pierce's Niles.

Despite Frasier being the lead of the Cheers spinoff, I would argue that Niles was its true protagonist. While Grammer's character was regularly focused on, his development was only measured in the progression of his relationship with Martin Crane. Meanwhile, Niles had a clear trajectory. Couple that with Pierce's amazing performance as the character, and I, and the majority of the critically acclaimed comedy's base, desperately want to see him return in the Frasier reboot. After much deliberation, however, Pierce has already revealed his one condition to return as Niles in the revival, and it's very easy to adhere to.

David Hyde Pierce Would Return As Niles For A One-Off - So Frasier Must Do It

A Niles Cameo Is Better Than Nothing

After his absence in all 10 episodes of the Frasier reboot season 1, Pierce says that he is willing to play Niles as long as it's just a one-off cameo. This means that he won't be a series regular, which is my ideal scenario. That being said, seeing Niles again in any capacity is a lot better than not having him at all. This shouldn't be difficult to do anyway, considering Frasier's move to Boston while Niles remains in Seattle. It also fits with Grammer's vision for the Paramount+ revival, which is to be different from what they've done before.

Bebe Neuwirth reprised Lilith once in the Frasier reboot season 1 can be the inspiration for the set-up for Pierce's return as Niles.

In any case, learning about Pierce's single condition for coming back as Niles in the Frasier reboot convinces me that it's only a matter of time before the Crane brothers' reunion happens on screen. If not, I would be massively disappointed, considering how easy it is to pull it off. Understandably, it may not happen in the Frasier reboot season 2, considering the sheer number of guest stars already lined up for its next 10 episodes. But there's no way that it shouldn't finally come to fruition in the Frasier revival season 3 — assuming that Paramount+ will renew it again.

How Niles' Return In Frasier's Reboot Could Happen?

Niles Has No Shortage Of Reasons To Visit Boston

With the behind-the-scenes issue now sorted out, Pierce's path to ing, even as a guest, should be clear. In of narrative, it's fairly easy to bring him in. The Frasier reboot season 1 finale was Christmas-themed, and in the spirit of the family, I believe that he and Daphne should have been there instead of asking David to return to Seattle. In any case, there's no shortage of reasons for Niles to visit Boston since his brother and son are in the city. Personally, the Frasier reboot doesn't need to come up with an elaborate reason for his visit.