Friends Reunion: Who’s making a return – and who isn’t

It’s only days before the much-anticipated Friends reunion special airs on television for the first time – and while fans are excited to see Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow), Joey (Matt LeBlanc), Rachel (Jennifer Aniston), Monica (Courteney Cox), Chandler (Matthew Perry) and Ross (David Schwimmer) reunite again, some of the sitcom’s most notable guest stars are also making a comeback.

The reunion episode, titled “The One Where They Get Back Together,” will begin streaming on HBO Max on Thursday, May 27. Broadcast dates for South African audiences are yet to be announced. It’s important to note – this is not a new Friends episode, so they won’t be portraying their characters. They’ll visit the original set and share some behind-the-scenes action their fans would absolutely love.

All six actors executive produced the special and are set to each earn between $2.5 million and $3 million for the reunion special.

Here’s who’s been confirmed for the Friends reunion special

“Oh my God,” Janice, Chandler’s on-off girlfriend, is returning. The character, played by Maggie Wheeler, is known for her obnoxious laugh, nasal voice and let’s not forget her signature catchphrase, “Oh my God.”

Gunther – thanks to this guy, the gang had a place to hang out during the free time. He managed Central Perk and apart from being totally weird, he also had the biggest crush on Rachel.

Also making a return to the Friends special is Richard, one of Monica’s prominent (much older and at first, controversial) love interests, played by Hollywood film legend Tom Selleck.

Jill Green, Rachel’s spoilt brat of a sister, comes back. She’s played by Reese Witherspoon. Jill first debuted on the show when she comes to her sister for help, after their dad threatened to cut her off.

Who’s not coming back for the Friends reunion?

Unfortunately, one prominent love interest will not be appearing in the Friends reunion special – Mike, Phoebe’s husband, played by Paul Rudd.

He’s not the only one though, Susan Sarandon, Brad Pitt (who was famously married to Jennifer Aniston at the time of his appearance), Bruce Willis and Winona Ryder will also not be part of the special.