Friends Fans Left Devastated By Major Absentee From Upcoming Reunion Special

The full list of guest stars for the one-off special has now been unveiled – with one big omission.
LOADINGERROR LOADING

The full list of guest stars for the Friends reunion was announced on Thursday evening, with a host of A-listers joining the original cast for the unscripted special.

As well as celebrity Friends fans like David Beckham, James Corden and Malala Yousafzai (not a trio we ever expected to be sharing the screen, we have to say), supporting cast members including James Michael Tyler, Maggie Wheeler and Elliott Gould will also be getting in on the nostalgic fun.

However, having had time to digest the full list of guest stars, Friends devotees can’t help but notice one very disappointing omission.

We are, of course, talking about Paul Rudd.

Paul Rudd and Lisa Kudrow on the set of Friends
Paul Rudd and Lisa Kudrow on the set of Friends
NBC via Getty Images

The ageless actor joined Friends in its ninth season as Mike Hannigan, a love interest for Lisa Kudrow’s character, Phoebe Buffay.

After growing popular with the show’s viewers, Mike and Phoebe eventually tied the knot in the final series.

Despite being a fan-favourite, Paul is not among the star guests taking part in the unscripted special, and it’s caused a bit of a stir among Friends viewers...

HOW CAN PAUL RUDD NOT BE IN THE FRIENDS REUNION
even joey's hand twin is on the guest list. but where is phoebe's husband! pic.twitter.com/n4jvx2cWH4

— Radhika (@radzmatazz_) May 14, 2021

Justin Bieber and James Corden but not Paul Rudd what pic.twitter.com/c1kwRAYkGV

— kris (@notwithhaste__) May 13, 2021

the absence of paul rudd on this list is appalling pic.twitter.com/uuwYqLd5kP

— paul rudd (@philsadelphia) May 14, 2021

As much I am pumped about the Friends reunion, please tell me Paul Rudd will be a hidden guest or something. I mean he was such a huge part of Phoebe's storyline as well.

— Monica⁷ 💜 💚 (@MonicaYadav08) May 13, 2021

Do we really need that many guest star for the Friends reunion? I just want to see them 6+Paul Rudd. And Janice.

— Alien 🤸🏻♀️ (@ridharakula) May 14, 2021

I NEED PAUL RUDD IN THE FRIENDS REUNION! HOW CAN YOU NOT INVITE PHOEBE'S HUSBAND

— rai ⧗ friends reunion era (@agathasvision) May 13, 2021

paul rudd rn after finding out random celebrities will be on the friends reunion instead of him pic.twitter.com/i7aBfgqyeG

— vale (@kinosvale) May 13, 2021

Me looking at the producers trying to find out why Paul Rudd isn’t going to make an appearance #FriendsReunion pic.twitter.com/J3uMC2cRwu

— Stephanie Green (@stephm_green) May 13, 2021

I just wanna know why Paul Rudd wasn’t on the long ass list of guest stars for the friends reunion...

— 𓆑 (@pawlcantu) May 13, 2021

still pissed about the friends reunin guesting,,,,they really put everyone except paul rudd I HATE IT HERE

— abby ϟ ia (@zeus_sells) May 14, 2021

prayer circle for friends reunion

🕯 🕯
🕯 🕯
paul rudd is a
🕯 surprise guest 🕯
for friends reunion
🕯 🕯
🕯 🕯

— rai ⧗ friends reunion era (@agathasvision) May 14, 2021

Others have also pointed out the absence of Cole Sprouse, who played Ross’ son Ben as a child actor, and later went on to have success in the Disney Channel series The Suite Life Of Zach And Cody and the teen drama Riverdale...

no mike, no ben???? i see random people who don't even related to friends 😜 they should really invite paul rudd and cole. https://t.co/4Oujzfj6za

— squishy_dks (@kyungja_soo) May 14, 2021

so who dropped the ball and forgot to book cole sprouse for the friends reunion since he was like…in it. & where's paul rudd. c'mon

— (。•̀ᴗ-)✧♡ (@jowsyla_) May 14, 2021

Ummmm were missing like Paul Rudd and Cole Sprouse- https://t.co/HgShZeDCDm

— chicken wings? (@antelopem_) May 13, 2021

they can put tom selleck & reese w but where’s paul rudd and cole sprouse??!! pic.twitter.com/9ERzv1Dpef

— nini (@104cadets) May 14, 2021

where is paul rudd & cole sprouse );: https://t.co/azABNrZ7OX

— rona (@suzuyachan_) May 14, 2021

hoping that cole sprouse and paul rudd are part of the main casts! 🤞🏼

— 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗮 (@annabellaleongs) May 14, 2021

so you’re telling me that paul rudd and cole sprouse won’t be on friends reunion??? https://t.co/xxnaTIHgNj

— 🧊 (@denikaee) May 13, 2021

Ummmm were missing like Paul Rudd and Cole Sprouse- https://t.co/HgShZeDCDm

— chicken wings? (@antelopem_) May 13, 2021

yall dont understand how much i love this sitcom as it became a comfort show for me,, now seeing bts as their guest makes me so happy my fav group and fav sitcom in one 😭🤍

(wish they also invited cole sprouse and paul rudd though) https://t.co/388gRrEluk

— dee 🧈 (@k0o_v) May 14, 2021

It’s been confirmed that the Friends reunion will be available to stream on HBO Max in the US from 27 May, exactly a year after it was supposed to launch, before the pandemic scuppered plans to begin production.

While it’s still not clear exactly when or how British fans will be able to watch, HBO productions typically come to Sky Atlantic and NOW in the UK.

HuffPost may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page. Prices and availability subject to change.

Close

What's Hot