Jane Leeves and David Hyde Pierce, who played Daphne Moon and Niles Crane in the sitcom Frasier, have spoken about the seven-year romance between their characters, describing it as a love story that took time to develop. The actors, who remain close friends, discussed their first meeting, the famous tango scene, and what the characters meant to them.
First Impressions and On-Screen Chemistry
Leeves recalled seeing Hyde Pierce for the first time on the set of the pilot episode. She said she raced up to him like a mad fan because she had been watching the sitcom The Powers That Be, in which he played a suicidal congressman who only mumbled. She described him as having a calmness, kindness, and intellect that was devastatingly sexy.
Hyde Pierce said he knew Leeves from Seinfeld and Murphy Brown and felt they were kindred spirits. He added that the cast felt like a real family. Leeves noted that she was the only person at the first table read who had read with Kelsey Grammer, so the chemistry was unknown.
The Tango and the Kiss
The pair discussed the tango scene in the episode Moon Dance, which they rehearsed at lightning speed with a choreographer. Hyde Pierce described it as amazing, and Leeves remembered rehearsing at his house at the weekend because they were enjoying it so much.
Hyde Pierce also recalled the moment their characters finally kissed in front of the live audience. He said the audience lost their minds, and that was the moment they finally came together. He praised the writers for getting the characters together before people were tired of the suspense.
What Daphne and Niles Love About Each Other
Hyde Pierce said that for Niles, Daphne was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, and her aura mesmerised him. He thought she was completely beyond him, like a creature from another planet. Leeves said that for Daphne, it was Niles's kindness and gentleness that attracted her, as he was so different from the men she had experienced before.
Leeves also spoke about why Daphne did not realise Niles's feelings for seven years. She said part of Daphne thought he might like her, but another part told her he was married and a doctor, and she was from a different background.
Real-Life Friendship and Wedding
The actors said they are best friends in real life. Hyde Pierce attended Leeves's English wedding and is godfather to her son. Leeves said she loves David and described him as a true gentleman and the finest human being. Hyde Pierce said their relationship is as it was then, just best friends.
Leeves also mentioned that John Mahoney, who played Martin Crane, predicted she would meet someone within a year when she said she was planning to adopt. She met her husband, Marshall Coben, at a Paramount party.
