Known globally for his Emmy-winning portrayal of Dr. Frasier Crane across hit series like Cheers, Frasier, and Wings, Grammer is now venturing into the high-stakes world of emergency medicine. In Pops, he will play the titular character, a man who, after a successful career, finds himself in desperate need of a fresh start. He dives headfirst into the chaotic life of a first responder, working alongside colleagues half his age.

The project draws inspiration from the remarkable true story of Ed Levien, a Maryland resident who, after a long career in advertising, became a volunteer EMT in his 60s. Levien, affectionately nicknamed "Pops" by his younger peers, dedicated 12 years to emergency medical services before retiring last fall at the age of 76. This real-life narrative provides a compelling foundation for a story about second acts and finding purpose later in life.

The creative force behind Pops is Danny Weiss, a seasoned writer and producer with extensive experience in medical dramas. Weiss spent 10 seasons on NBC/Universal TV's Chicago Med, rising from staff writer to co-executive producer, and also served as an in-house medical researcher for four seasons on Fox's House, M.D., even writing a freelance episode. His background as a former U.S. Marine further underscores a familiarity with high-pressure environments, making him a fitting choice to bring this EMT drama to life. Weiss will executive produce alongside Grammer, Jordan McMahon via Grammnet NH Productions, and 3 Arts Entertainment, with Universal Television producing.

Grammer's career has often straddled both comedy and drama, with notable hour-long series credits including Starz's political drama Boss and Amazon's The Last Tycoon. His return to NBC for a dramatic role marks a full-circle moment, reconnecting him with the network that housed his most iconic character for over two decades. Interestingly, this also places him back at NBC alongside his Frasier co-star David Hyde Pierce, who is developing his own multi-camera comedy at the network.

Pops shares thematic parallels with other successful shows centered on mid-life career changes, such as ABC's The Rookie, which follows an older LAPD recruit, and CBS's sitcom Carol's Second Act, where Patricia Heaton's character becomes a medical intern in her 50s. The series promises to explore themes of reinvention, intergenerational dynamics, and the inherent challenges and rewards of emergency medical work through a dramatic lens, offering audiences a compelling new chapter in Kelsey Grammer's illustrious career.