Friends reunion special: everything we know about the HBO Max television show

The cast of tv show Friends sharing milkshakes

Credit: Netflix

Life


Friends reunion special: everything we know about the HBO Max television show

By Jessica Rapana

6 years ago

The break is finally over! Fifteen years after it came to an end, Friends will return to our screens for a one-off special. Here is everything we know about the HBO Max show so far.

After months (and even years) of speculation, the moment we have all been waiting for has finally been confirmed, and in the best way.

All six of the original stars of Friends posted a throwback photo to Instagram with two words: “It’s happening…”. It being the highly-anticipated reunion special of the beloved sitcom, which ran for 10 seasons between 1994 and 2004. 

Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, David Schwimmer, Matthew Perry, Matt LeBlanc and Lisa Kudrow will return for the unscripted and, as-yet, untitled special on HBO Max.

Here is everything we know about the show so far.


Who is in the cast for the Friends reunion special?

The original stars will all reunite at the original Friends soundstage – Stage 24, at the Warner Bros. Studio in Burbank – to film the one-off special. All six are also set to executive produce, alongside fellow Friends alums Kevin Bright, Marta Kauffman and David Crane. According to Variety, each will receive at least $2.5 million (£1.92 million) for their appearance.


Why did the Friends reunion special take so long?

According to Cox, there’s a good reason for the 15 year delay. “It took forever,” the actor admitted appearing on Saturday Night Live comedian Kevin Nealon’s YouTube series Hiking With Kevin.

“I don’t know how many years, maybe 15 years,” she said. “We finally all got together and had dinner. When we get together, which is never, it just doesn’t happen very often, like twice since we ended the show, it’s just the most fun. We laugh so hard.” 

Shedding more light on the highly-anticipated special, Cox added: “The exciting thing is that we’re all going to get together for the first time, in a room, and actually talk about the show.”

She also revealed that she and Aniston are just like any two friends, and get together more to watch TV; “I’m not really a Bachelor person,” Cox said. “Jennifer’s a Bachelor girl. I go there sometimes to her house to watch, but I’m not really watching as much as I am doing the dishes and getting everybody something.” That is so Monica. 


What is the Friends reunion special about?

Friends on Netlifx

Credit: Netflix

It is still unclear exactly what the special will entail. The “unscripted” part makes it seem unlikely that we will be treated to a new episode per se, rather it is more likely to be a classic TV reunion where the cast will catch up and relive the old days. But hey, we will take what we can get.


Will there be a new season of Friends?

Ross and Rachel in Friends

Credit: Ross and Rachel in Friends. Getty Images

Currently, HBO has only confirmed the one-off special but, given the reaction to the news, who knows?


Where can I watch the Friends reunion special?

Monica and Rachel from Friends

Credit: Getty

The show will be streaming exclusively on the upcoming video on demand streaming platform HBO Max, which is set to launch in May. It is not yet clear when the platform will be available in the UK. The entire Friends series – all 236 episodes – will also be available on the platform.


Is there a release date for the Friends reunion special?

Friends

Credit: Getty

Not yet! While HBO Max goes live in May, it is unclear when the episode will be available but we will be sure to update this story when we have more information.


Image: Getty

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