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'Friends' Creator Wishes She Had Made 'Very Different Decisions' When Casting The Show

'Friends' Creator Wishes She Had Made 'Very Different Decisions' When Casting The Show

Despite its popularity, Marta said she would have done things differently.

Lucy Devine

Lucy Devine

Despite airing over 20 years ago, Friends is arguably one of the most iconic sitcoms of all time. However, its lack of diversity is something both viewers - and cast members - have often pointed out.

And this week, creator Marta Kauffman revealed that if she could do it all over again, she would have made different decisions when it came to casting.

Marta Kauffman revealed that if she could do it all over again, she would have made different decisions when it came to casting (
NBC)

Over the years, many people have pointed out the lack of diversity in the show, with the main cast members - Monica, Rachel, Chandler, Joey, Phoebe and Ross - all being white.

Now, speaking at the virtual 2020 ATX TV festival, Marta discussed her regrets, apologising for not doing more to promote diversity.

"I wish I knew then what I knew today, I would have made very different decisions," she said, according to Deadline.

"We've always encouraged people of diversity in our company, but I didn't do enough. Now all I can think about is what can I do, what can I do differently. How can I run my show in a new way?

"That's something I wish I knew when I started showrunning but all the way up through last year."

The issue is something a number of cast members have spoken about themselves. Earlier this year, David Schwimmer, who played Ross, told The Guardian: "I was well aware of the lack of diversity.

"One of the first girlfriends I had on the show was an Asian American woman, and later I dated African American women. That was a very conscious push on my part."

Ross dated Charlie (
NBC)

Viewers will remember that Ross dated Julie (Lauren Tom) early on in the series, before also dating Charlie (Aisha Tyler).

Meanwhile, Lisa Kudrow - who played Phoebe - also discussed the lack of diversity, explaining she believed the show would be very different if it aired today.

"It would not be an all-white cast, for sure," she told The Sunday Times.

"I'm not sure what else, but to me, it should be looked at as a time capsule, not for what they did wrong."

Featured Image Credit: NBC

Topics: Entertainment News, TV News, Friends