Fans of the iconic sitcom Friends are expressing disappointment after the announcement that the show will be leaving Netflix in the UK at the end of this year. The series, which has garnered a new generation of viewers through streaming, will be removed from the platform on December 30.
While it remains unconfirmed which streaming service will acquire the rights next, industry speculation suggests HBO Max, which currently streams Friends in the US, is preparing to launch in the UK.
The news has sparked a wave of emotional reactions on social media, with one fan describing the departure as “probably the worst thing that’s ever happened to me,” and another stating she was “genuinely heartbroken.”
Friends, starring Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, and David Schwimmer, originally aired 236 episodes across ten seasons from 1994. The beloved sitcom centers on a group of young professionals living in New York City and remains one of the most successful TV series of all time, maintaining cultural relevance more than two decades after its finale.
The show’s popularity has endured thanks to numerous guest stars, including George Clooney, Reese Witherspoon, Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts, Bruce Willis, Susan Sarandon, and Robin Williams. In 2021, the cast reunited for a special hosted by James Corden, reminiscing about their time on set.
Tragically, Matthew Perry passed away in Los Angeles in 2023. An autopsy revealed a high concentration of ketamine in his blood, and authorities concluded that the drug’s effects led to his death.
Fans’ reactions to the show leaving Netflix have been heartfelt. Many shared that they turn to Friends for comfort, with one posting, “It’s the series I turn to when I’m happy, sad, stressed, or celebrating something,” and another adding, “Watching Friends while eating my favourite dinner is one of my small joys in life.”
Others described the series as “my anti-depressant at night,” highlighting its role in daily routines and mental health strategies. Additionally, The Big Bang Theory, another popular US sitcom, will also be leaving Netflix at the end of the year.
BBC News has reached out to HBO Max for information about the show’s availability in the UK in the new year.
