Friends remain one of the most successful and beloved sitcoms of all time, thanks in no small part to the perfect casting of its ensemble.
The character of Monica Geller is so interchangeable with Courteney Cox that it’s challenging to imagine Friends without her. However, the actress almost played a different role on the show.
According to a report from Mental Floss, Cox was initially approached to play Rachel Green but turned down the part and insisted on playing Monica instead. Cox’s portrayal of the high-strung, organized Monica Geller is a standout among the show’s many iconic characters.
Why Courteney Cox turned down the role of Another Friends Character
In a 2017 interview on the Off Camera podcast with Sam Jones, Cox revealed that she related more to Monica than Rachel and was drawn to the character’s strong personality.
It’s hard to argue with her decision, given the success of the show and the enduring popularity of Monica as a character. Of course, Cox has also had success outside of Friends, most notably as Gale Weathers in the Scream franchise.
Cox returned for the latest installment, Scream VI, which again sees her character facing off against the iconic Ghostface killer; Scream VI was released in theaters on March 10.
