Friends, which originally aired on NBC from 1994 to 2004, became a global sensation. The sitcom chronicling the lives of Rachel, Ross, Monica, Chandler, Phoebe, and Joey continues to captivate audiences worldwide. Thanks to streaming platforms, the show has gained a new generation of fans, many of whom were born during its final seasons.
The chemistry among the six main cast members was undeniable, making it hard to imagine anyone else in their roles. However, casting wasn’t an easy task, especially when it came to Rachel Green’s character and Jennifer Aniston’s involvement. Rachel, a spoiled, naive, and wealthy young woman, required an actress who could make her relatable and lovable despite her flaws.
Early contenders for the role included Courteney Cox (who eventually played Monica) and Téa Leoni. Cox lobbied for Monica’s role, feeling it suited her better as the obsessive-compulsive chef. Eventually, Jennifer Aniston auditioned. At the time, Aniston was struggling to break through in Hollywood. She had faced several setbacks, with many pilots she filmed failing to move beyond test screenings.
Aniston was initially considered for Monica’s role but convinced the creators to let her read for Rachel instead. Her performance won them over, and she was immediately cast as Rachel. However, a major issue arose: Aniston was already under contract with CBS for a show called Muddling Through. NBC worried that CBS wouldn’t allow her to work on both shows simultaneously.
The Friends pilot was filmed in the summer of 1994 and tested well with audiences, prompting NBC to schedule the premiere for September 22. The network then filmed three additional episodes but prepared for the possibility of recasting Rachel, knowing they might need to reshoot all her scenes with a new actress if conflicts arose.
To protect their investment, NBC devised a strategic plan to undermine Muddling Through. The CBS series, aimed at female viewers, aired on Saturday nights. In response, NBC scheduled adaptations of Danielle Steel novels—also targeting women—at the same time. The tactic worked. Two weeks before Friends premiered, CBS canceled Muddling Through due to poor ratings. The show lasted only nine episodes, but it paved the way for Aniston to fully commit to Friends, a role that would define her career.
Looking back, it’s clear that Rachel Green was destined to be Jennifer Aniston’s breakout role—and fans around the world wouldn’t have it any other way.
