Get the tissues out: The full trailer for the Friends reunion is here

By Sarah Finnan
20th May 2021

@friends

They don’t know that we know they know we know… or do they?

The Friends reunion – only of the most hotly-anticipated reunion episodes of any show maybe ever, news that the six core members of the popular sitcom Friends had signed on for a one-off special first broke earlier last year.

Sending fans all around the world into a frenzy at the thought of seeing the gang back together once again, filming was originally supposed to get underway in early spring 2020. At least that was the plan… but then a global pandemic hit and well, those plans were put on pause.

Attempting to get back down to it several times since then, production was ultimately pushed out each time, but now, more than a year on, we finally have a release date, a trailer and even a few hints as to who else might join the sixsome throughout the special. So buckle up and put on your rose-tinted glasses for added effect.

Here’s what we know so far.

There’s a full trailer

After dropping a teaser featuring the cast walking arm-in-arm to the Rembrandt’s “I’ll be There For You” we now have a full two-minute trailer. As the cast does script readings for different episodes, visits all of their old sets and has a chat with James Cordon beside the fountain from the opening sequence, it’s the hit of nostalgia we need right now. While there’s lots going on, the main feeling of the trailer is that it was great craic. A bunch of friends reuniting after what seems like an age – who can’t relate to that right now.

It will be unscripted

Taking the form of a Q&A of sorts, the episode will be completely unscripted with the original cast – aka Jennifer Anniston, Courtney Cox, David Schwimmer, Matthew Perry, Lisa Kudrow and Matt LeBlanc – taking questions from a number of celebrity guests/diehard fans. But based on the newly released trailer, they do admit to “regressing” after seeing all the sets and so many familiar faces. In their quiz game, it’s almost unclear whether they’re acting as themselves or the characters they played for so long.

It won’t just be the original Friends cast

As stated above, the original cast will be joined by a number of other well-known faces – the likes of which includes everyone from David Beckham to Lady Gaga, Reese Witherspoon, Malala Yousafzai, Mindy Kaling and Justin Bieber to name but a few. All superfans of the show, they’ve been saving up their burning questions especially for the occasion so with any luck, we’ll leave with at least a few juicy behind-the-scenes secrets.

Eagle-eyes fans will have spotted Cara Delevingne in Rachel’s infamous “Copa Cabana” bridesmaids outfit, but we’ll have to wait until it airs to find out who is under Ross’ armadillo costume.

There were also a few peeks of some reoccurring love interests, including Richard, played by Tom Selleck and his excellent moustache, and Janice, played by Maggie Wheeler, who lets out one of her signature “Oh. My God.” for our viewing pleasure.

It will premiere on HBO Max

Set to air exclusively on HBO Max from May 27, the platform has yet to be made available this side of the water, so it’s still unknown how or even if Irish viewers will be able to watch the reunion. That being said, where there’s a will, there’s a way and with so much hype surrounding the episode, it’s likely show bosses will want to capitalise on that however possible… in other words, watch this space.