We just spoke to iconic actor and producerKelsey Grammeramid the release of his new filmMurder Company, a World War II thriller timed to release during the week of Independence Day. Grammer has become such a household name due to his ability to tackle dramatic work like this, and also comedy — aka his claim-to-fame character Frasier Crane, first seen inCheersand then inFrasier,the reboot of which is already shooting a second season. Unlike the first season of the show’s continuation, the second season is set to feature a bigger variety ofreturning characters from the series' original run.
“We actually do have a lot of returning characters this year and some new ones that are really fun,” Grammer told MovieWeb. “Guests are really showing up this year. Peri [Gilpin’s] coming back as Roz, which is fun. We’ve got a little line through for her.My daughter is going to be on the show, which is kind of fun, as Roz’s daughter.” He added:
And then there are these amazing, kind of star stunt-casting things. We’ve done several of those and a couple of return visits from beloved characters. I can’t divulge all of them, but so far so good… The shows are really, really taking off.
Grammer has stated how he doesn’t want the revivedFrasierto feel so nostalgic, so we were curious if that has created a complicated situation behind the scenes when he brings back beloved characters for the reboot. “It can be a little tricky,” he said. “And there is a sense of, if the nostalgia is earned by having a contemporary value, then that’s okay.” Grammer continued about a specific episode:
“We have a big show [in season 2] that’s going super nostalgic. And I’m not really able to talk too much about that until it comes out, but it’s a wonderful show. And you see some people who you used to know that you’re sort of like, ‘Oh my God, there they are!’ And that happens in this one show, particularly. It’s quite lovely.”
Related:Frasier Star Kelsey Grammer Explains the Strange Reason He Was Cast as The Simpsons' Sideshow Bob
Feeling ‘Connected’ to the Murder Company Story
Murder Company
A group of Allied operatives is sent on a covert mission behind enemy lines during World War II. Their objective is to infiltrate a Nazi stronghold and gather critical intelligence. As they navigate the dangers of occupied territory, they encounter unexpected resistance and internal conflicts that test their resolve.
And then there’sMurder Company,Grammer’s latest movie that allows him to go full General mode. He plays the man in charge of a dangerous operation during WWII that involves retrieving a French spy who’s been aiding the fight against the Nazis. Says Grammer about the project:
“It’s funny, I’ve never had a chance to do one of these before. So when it came across my desk, and these guys invited me — that’s the first part of any negotiation basis, you get the invitation — it seemed right that I have a chance to play one of these guys.” Grammer detailed how the World War II thriller resonated with him personally:
“My granddad raised me. My granddad served in World War II. So it just seemed like a natural sort of honorific to be able to walk into those shoes a little bit and play one of these characters. And my granddad… directly connected to this kind of story. A lot of these things did happen. I have another friend whose dad, an older friend of mine, whose dad did serve in one of these sort of murder companies.”
“And there were a few men that did these kinds of jobs. And of course,” added Grammer, “this was a very, very difficult, challenging time for our country. And these men met the task, and I was honored to actually get to have a chance to play it.”
And it’s great to see.Murder Companywill be released in select theaters, on demand and on digital July 12, 2025.
