Friends: Why Ross’ Ex-Wife Carol Was Recast
0
0
Ross’ ex-wife Carol was a popular recurring character throughout Friends’ run, but she was written off early on. Here’s why.
Friends had several guest stars and recurring characters who ended up having more relevant roles as the series went on, but one stood out because they were rejected after their first appearance: Carol, Ross’s ex-wife. Friends followed a group of six characters (Phoebe, Monica, Rachel, Joey, Chandler and Ross) living in New York City, and over the course of its ten seasons, viewers witnessed many ups and downs in their lives social, professional and personal.
They all had broken families, in one way or another, and each went through failed relationships and awkward breakups, especially Ross. At the beginning of the series, Ross had just divorced his college girlfriend, Carol, who he had recently dated and left him to live with his partner, Susan. Carol was introduced in the second episode of Friends, “The One with the Sonogram at the End,” in which Ross’ son Ben entered the picture for the first time and viewers learned that Carol was pregnant with his child. However, the Carol audience that gathered here was not the same as in the following episodes.
Carol was originally played by Anita Barone, who had previously appeared in the comedy series Carol & Company and in an episode of Seinfeld, where he played a chef who wanted Elaine Bene’s shoes. Barone had auditioned for one of the main characters Friends but she was offered the recurring role of Carol. After playing her in one and only one episode, Barone stepped down, wanting to pursue a more full-time role, and was replaced by Jane Sibbett. Although never a main character, Carol appeared Friends often so that viewers would always keep her in mind and, along with Susan, she was the focus of the story in the episode “The Lesbian Wedding”.
What Anita Baronne has done since friends
Barone didn’t exactly land the full-time role he was looking for after he left Friends. He starred in the first season of The Jeff Foxworthy Show and those of short duration The war at home. Her most recent roles include Georgie Jones (CeCe’s mother) on the Disney Channel To shake and an episode of KC Undercover. After his role in Friends ended, Jane Sibbett appeared in a couple of movies and a few episodes of some TV shows, such as Sabrina the Teenage Witch i One time and another.
What Jane Sibbett has done since Friends
Friends actor Jane Sibbett has remained active in her career since her appearance like Carol Willick. Most of his success came alongside his time on the sitcom as it was a series regular Herman’s head and had a starring role in the Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen film It takes two alongside Steve Guttenberg and Kirstie Alley. He had several appearances in 90s favorites like Touched by an angel, Sabrina the Teenage Witchi The nannyas well as Ally McBeal. More recently, Jane Sibbett has had roles in made-for-TV movies A date for Christmas Eve like Didi Dougherty and List of a lifetime like Dr. Elisabeth Boyer. He will soon appear in a TV series called manopause like Amanda Newman, who was only recently announced.
Carol was never a main character, but she and Susan were useful Friends‘ success and a good step towards representation and inclusion on mainstream television, with the characters being called “a positive example of a gay couple on TV” by GLAAD. It’s unknown if Barone knew how often Carol’s appearances would be, or if the character’s role grew as the series progressed, but even though she only appeared in one episode, it’s a change that fans of Friends it has not been forgotten.
About the author
