The Actress Who Almost Got Replaced on Friends James Burrows, the director of Friends, recently revealed in his memoir, Directed By James Burrows, that actress Helen Baxendale, who portrayed Ross Geller's love interest Emily in seasons four and five, was almost removed from the show. Burrows claimed that Baxendale lacked chemistry with her co-star David Schwimmer, which made it difficult for their characters to connect on screen.

According to Burrows, Schwimmer "had no one to bounce off," and it felt like "clapping with one hand."

Burrows also mentioned that Baxendale was "nice, but not particularly funny" compared to Jennifer Aniston's character Rachel Green, who had a famous will-they-won't-they relationship with Ross. He emphasized that in sitcoms and romantic comedies, the actors' comedic skills are just as essential as their chemistry.

Burrows realized that any new girlfriend for Ross needed to be as funny as Rachel in order to work on the show. Despite these creative hesitations, Burrows decided to keep Baxendale on the show due to tight deadlines. Recasting was often not possible due to filming schedules and logistical considerations. Burrows explained that when a new character doesn't work out, they have to make the difficult decision to let them go. If it's a minor role, it's easier to say goodbye quickly. Burrows also acknowledged that if there is chemistry between the actors, the writers will make efforts to keep them on the show. They will work on finding ways to integrate the character and justify their presence in the storyline.

Marta Kaufmann, co-creator of Friends, had praised Baxendale's talent and acknowledged the challenge of joining the tight-knit cast.

She described Baxendale as "brilliant" and noted that although it was difficult for the audience to accept a new addition to the group, Baxendale could easily be seen as one of their friends. Baxendale eventually left Friends in season five when her character, Emily, and Ross divorced after a tumultuous marriage. Since then, Baxendale has appeared in various shows such as Cold Feet, Cuckoo, and Noughts + Crosses. E! News has contacted her representative for comment on Burrows' memoir but has not received a response yet. While Baxendale's time on Friends may have been short-lived, the cast continues to reunite and create memorable moments together. Fans of the show can look forward to seeing their favorite characters come together in various reunions over the years.