We nearly got a Frasier spin-off for character who was the original show for less than 10 episodes-Rishma Dosani-Entertainment – Metro

Frasier premiered in 1993 and ran on our screens for 11 seasons (Picture: NBC)

There was almost another spin-off added to the Frasier universe, focusing on a very surprising character.

The original series – which served as a spin-off of Cheers – premiered in September, 1993, and ran for 11 seasons, with Kelsey Grammer starring in the titular role beside Peri Gilpin, David Hyde Pierce and Jane Leeves.

We were reunited with the stuffy psychiatrist last year for the Paramount + revival, with season two set to start filming shortly.

However, it turns out there were plans to delve into the back story of one of his many girlfriends at one point, before the idea was scrapped entirely.

Jean Smart, who played Frasier’s high school crush Lana Gardner (aka Lorna Lynley), explained that she nearly landed her very own series based on the iconic character – who appeared in a total of seven episodes between season seven and season nine.

‘I was told they were thinking about spinning off her and her son, but they decided it wasn’t feasible financially,’ the Hacks actress recalled during an appearance on Good Morning America.

Jean Smart made her debut as Lana (aka Lorna) in season 7 (Picture: NBC)

She appeared in seven episodes in total (Picture: NBC)

‘Because not only would they have to pay all the producers of Frasier, they would also have to pay all the producers and creators of Cheers.

‘That’s what I was told.’

Although plans to see more of Lana didn’t quite work out, Jean still had a blast with the role, describing her time on the show as ‘so much fun’.

Jean won two Emmys for her stint (Picture: Getty)

She took home two Emmy awards for outstanding guest actress in a comedy series for her efforts.

Lana made her debut in 2000, popping up in season seven episode Big Crane on Campus – where a flustered Frasier couldn’t believe his luck when she agreed to go on a date with him, years after they were at school together.

Unfortunately, his crush deteriorated after they spent the night together, when he witnessed her explosive temper and quickly tried to stifle their relationship before it started.

They were thrown together once again the following season, as Lana blackmailed Frasier into tutoring her son, Kirby (Brian Klugman), in return for a friend’s phone number.

Last year, Kelsey reprised his beloved role for a divisive reboot – and confessed that he felt ‘vindicated’ when the series was picked up for a second season.

‘It feels great, it feels great,’ he recently told People Magazine of the announcement. ‘There was a sense of, I’m trying to think of the right word, vindication.

The comedy was a spin-off of Cheers (Picture: NBC)

The Frasier revival premiered at the end of 2023 (Picture: Paramount+)

‘In my heart, I thought, “I know we can do this and I know we can do it really well.” And I didn’t want to do what some of the other shows had done, sort of come back and be the same show. I thought this all played exactly how it was meant to be.

‘And Frasier’s still alive, and he has a new story to tell and a new series of people to do it with, and it’s been fantastic.’

Maybe Lana could still make a comeback in the upcoming episodes…?

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

Entertainment – MetroRead More