It’s hard to imagine Friends without Jennifer Aniston as the fashion-loving Rachel Green, but it very nearly happened. The actress who went on to become a TV icon with the role was almost replaced by casting directors before the series even took off, and it could have changed the course of television history.
According to Vanity Fair, Friends co-creator, Marta Kauffman, claims that the role of Rachel was the most difficult to cast. However, after one of the other creators of the show, David Crane, bumped into Aniston during a night out in Hollywood, he knew she would be perfect for the role, there was just one major problem. Aniston was already obligated to a different series titled Muddling Through.
Jennifer Aniston Almost Didn’t Star As Rachel Green On Friends
Aniston had already shot a 10-episode Season 1 of the series, and if it got renewed for a second season she would be unavailable to film Friends, and would have been forced to leave the hit sitcom. NBC opted to cast the actress anyway and hope for the best.
It was a gamble, and Aniston wanted the part so badly that she even met with then-president of Warner Bros. Television, Les Moonves, and asked to be let out of Muddling Through. When that series wasn’t renewed, it freed Aniston up to dive into the now-beloved role of Rachel Green.
Meanwhile, Matthew Perry was also in a similar situation, but as luck would have it he was also freed up to portray the lovable and sarcastic Chandler Bing on Friends for 10 seasons.
Other Actors Who Were Considered For The Role Of Rachel
While Jennifer Aniston inevitably earned the role of Rachel, there were several other actors who auditioned for the part. Stars like Tea Leoni, Jane Krakowski, Saved By The Bell stars Tiffani Thiessen and Elizabeth Berkley, and Lisa Welchel, per E! Online.
Courteney Cox also auditioned for the role but later asked to play Monica Geller. Actress Jami Gertz was offered the role of Rachel Green without having to audition. However, she decided to pass on it and later went on to star on shows such as Still Standing and ER.
How Did Friends Become One Of Television’s Biggest Sitcoms?
When Friends premiered in the fall of 1994, no one could have predicted the phenomenon that it would become. The series, which followed six friends in New York City as they navigated career struggles, relationship drama, family issues, and everyday life in the city developed a huge following that still lasts to this day.
The series ran for 10 seasons on NBC, and aired its emotional series finale in May 2004. The sitcom was watched by millions each week, with the finale pulling in more than 52 million viewers in the United States. Now, more than 20 years after its end, Friends continues to gain new fans thanks to syndication and streaming services.
The chemistry between Jennifer Aniston and her co-stars, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer, Matt LeBlanc, and Matthew Perry was special and remains difficult to recreate, making it one of the most popular and recognizable shows of all time. Even the theme song, “I’ll Be There For You” by The Rembrandts is iconic in its own right.
Looking back, it’s almost impossible to picture Friends without Jennifer Aniston bringing Rachel Green to life. Her character became a major part of the show’s success, and she and the cast helped create television magic. Sometimes, the right casting really does make all the difference.
