Jessica Hecht Nearly Cast as Monica Before Playing Susan on Friends

Jessica Hecht, a three-time Tony Award nominee, revealed she originally auditioned for the role of Monica Geller on the iconic sitcom Friends but was eventually cast as Susan, the partner of Ross Geller's ex-wife Carol. Hecht's audition came about through a personal connection with casting director Ellie Kanner from their shared hometown, Bloomfield, Connecticut, and she described herself as a "total backup" for Monica, a role that went to Courteney Cox. Reflecting on the early days of the show, Hecht noted that the cast was still figuring out the series without the burden of its later iconic status, allowing for more creative freedom. She also highlighted the strong on-screen chemistry with Jane Sibbett, who played Carol, and how the character of Susan evolved during the show's development. Meanwhile, Lisa Kudrow discussed her experience portraying Phoebe Buffay, emphasizing how her commitment to making Phoebe's bizarre actions believable contributed to the character's enduring popularity. Matt LeBlanc reassured Kudrow that by the second or third season, her performance had become effortless, underscoring the strong cast chemistry that was central to Friends' success.