Friends actress who was first choice to play Rachel reveals Jennifer Aniston only got role when she fell pregnant
FRIENDS star Jane Sibbett has revealed Jennifer Aniston wasn't the original choice to play Rachel.
The actress who played Carol, Ross Geller's ex-wife, revealed she was the one who was supposed to play the fashion enthusiast, but the role was given to Jennifer when she fell pregnant.
Jane told : "I actually was up for another character, they wanted me to be one of the main six.
"It was actually Rachel but I usually don’t tell people that because Jen… There’s no one who could’ve done it like Jen."
When asked why she rejected the role, Jane shared: "I asked them [her agents] if they’d told the producers I was pregnant [at the time] and they said, 'Oh no, we thought we’d tell them later.'"
"And I said, 'No you’ve got to tell them now.' So obviously [the producers] said it wouldn’t work out."
Jennifer went on to have huge success on Friends, which is one of the most successful shows of all time and the recipient of numerous awards.
But despite the missed opportunity, Jane has no regrets and praised Jennifer for her work on the sitcom.
She added: "I have no regrets, my goodness, there’s no way anybody could have come close to what Jennifer Aniston did with Rachel. She was so perfect."
Jane played Carol in 15 Friends episodes, alongside Jessica Hecht, who played Carol’s girlfriend Susan.
The pair eventually tied the knot, with their nuptials being the focal point in season two’s The One With The Lesbian Wedding.
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Jennifer sent fans wild last week after she reunited with Brad Pitt for the first time in months, for a live read of Fast Times at Ridgmont High.
The virtual reading was postponed in August due to technical difficulties, but now a new promo spot for the video has launched, showing the former flames laughing together.
The read will also feature original star Sean Penn, and Jen - who were married from 2001 to 2005 - as well as Julia Roberts, Morgan Freeman, Shia LaBeouf, Matthew McConaughey, Jimmy Kimmel and Henry Golding.
But amid Brad's dragged-out divorce with Angelina Jolie, it was revealed that he was quick to sign on once his ex-wife Jen said yes.