During the ten seasons of Friends, the main characters explore various romantic relationships. Even though Chandler ultimately ends up with Monica, and Rachel and Ross manage to make things work in the final season, everyone comes up with some amazing and lovable characters outside of the group.
In fact, many fans think there are some romantic interests Friends it had the potential to become the endgame for the main cast. Ross and Charlie could have been very happy together, as could Monica and Richard, despite the age difference. Even though some of these characters left the show – some might argue too soon – they really left their mark Friends.
10 Kathy had amazing chemistry with Chandler
- Played by Paget Brewster
- She dated Joey and Chandler
- Appears in season 4
Kathy is a controversial character in the Friends community because she dated both Joey and Chandler. Things get tense between the two best friends when Joey discovers that Chandler has feelings for his girlfriend. However, the chemistry between Chandler and Kathy was undeniable. They clearly understand each other emotionally, as shown when Chandler gives her the perfect gift, a first edition of The velveteen rabbit, Kathy's favorite book since childhood.
Plus, in the end, Joey gave his blessing to the relationship, especially when he realized how much they cared for each other. The relationship was a healthy, organic friends-to-lovers story. However, it ended on a sour note when Kathy slept with one of her friends after Chandler had a fit of jealousy, but they were fine for a while.
9 Kate and Joey have one of the most romantic story arcs on Friends
- Played by Dina Meyer
- I was dating Joey
- Appeared in the third season
Kate is Joey's co-star in the off-Broadway comedy “Box Day,” a ridiculous sci-fi love story. Kate, who came from an iconic role in General Hospital, he has a big ego and cares very little about Joey. Joey, however, immediately develops feelings for her, in a twist on the playboy character.
After a one-night stand, Joey is surprised that he cares more about Kate than she does about him. The two continue to talk and the relationship becomes intense but healthy, with the two sharing an entire night just talking about life. Eventually, Kate leaves for a role in Los Angeles, but in a monologue in the play, Joey makes clear the fact that he has indeed fallen in love with Kate. Not everyone loves Kate, but she tapped into a side of Joey that people rarely see on the show, and that's why she's one of the best romantic interests ever. Friends.
8 Despite his young age, Tag was a really nice boyfriend
- Played by Eddie Cahill
- He's dating Rachel
- Appeared in season seven
Even though Rachel is only five years older than Tag, as she is 29 and he is 24, the show makes it seem like their age gap is much larger. In reality, Tag and Rachel made a really cute couple, and it was a shame that they were in different places in life. While it lasted, however, Tag was a charming, fun, drama-free guy.
Rachel met Tag when she hired him as her assistant, which poses an ethical dilemma. In the end, though, it was a consensual, problem-free relationship, even if Rachel was a little biased when she gave the job to Tag. Rachel only breaks up with him because, when she turns 30, she realizes she wants to be with someone who is looking to have a family soon, and that wasn't Tag. Otherwise, Rachel and Tag might have lasted a long time.
7 Julie deserved much better than Ross
- Played by Lauren Tom
- She's dating Ross
- Appeared in the second season
Many people agree that Julie was one of Ross' best friends – and he had many girlfriends and wives. Julie was sweet, smart, and had a lot in common with him. Ross and Julie met in graduate school and reconnected during a temp job where Julie was Ross's boss.
However, even though the relationship was practically perfect, Ross still had feelings for Rachel and Rachel was secretly in love with Ross. Rachel even did everything she could to try to sabotage the relationship. Everyone agrees that Julie deserved better, and she got it with her boyfriend Russ, also played by David Schwimmer.
6 To the public, Janice has always been more than just Chandler's girlfriend
- Played by Maggie Wheeler
- She dated Chandler and Ross
- Appeared in all seasons of Friends
Janice wasn't meant to be for Chandler – or for Ross, for that matter – but she's one of 's most iconic and beloved characters Friends. Janice had an on-and-off relationship with Chandler until he finally started dating Monica. Chandler always played with his feelings, didn't know how to leave her, or went out with her just to feel accompanied.
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Funny enough, in season 3, he falls in love with her, but she ends up cheating on Chandler with her husband. However, this is not the end of Janice. She also dates Ross for a couple of episodes, and even appears here and there to add comedy, such as when Janice gives birth at the same time as Rachel. Even though Janice and Chandler weren't compatible, that doesn't mean she wasn't sweet, funny, and kind, and the group was a little too hard on her.
5 Gavin was Rachel's most charming boyfriend on Friends
- Played by Dermot Mulroney
- He's dating Rachel
- Appeared in season 9
Although he only appears in three episodes of Friendspeople really love Gavin. He is Rachel's colleague who she finds in her office when she returns from maternity leave. At first she is angry with him, finding him arrogant and conceited, but the chemistry between the two soon leads them to share a passionate kiss.
Of course, at the time, Rachel had recently become a mother and her relationship with Ross was more complicated than ever. While Gavin has proven to be trustworthy, loving and charismaticit was a terrible time for Rachel. However, many still believe that these two had great potential.
4 David wasn't the one, but he was a close second
- Played by Hank Azaria
- He dated Phoebe
- Appeared in seasons 1, 7 and 9
One of the most iconic and heartbreaking romance arcs in the world Friends revolves around David, Phoebe's “the one who got away”. In season one, Phoebe meets David when she scolds him for interrupting her concert at Central Perk. David, however, always kind and polite, apologizes and tells her that he was just telling his friend that he found her really beautiful.
The two immediately began dating, showing impressive chemistry, but David had to go to Minsk for a science scholarship. He thought about it a lot and considered staying for Phoebe, but in the end he knew it wasn't the right thing to do. In season nine, David returns, but Phoebe is already in love with Mike, and that's the end. In an interview with the Huffington Post, Actor Hank Azaria admitted he expected it to be Phoebe's finale, but Paul Rudd's charms beat him to it.
3 Richard broke Monica and the audience's hearts
- Played by Tom Selleck
- He goes out with Monica
- Appeared in seasons 2, 3, 5, 6 and 9
Before Chandler, it looked like Richard would become the love of Monica's life. Richard is Monica's father's best friend and the two reconnect when Monica organizes catering for one of Richard's parties. They feel an immediate attraction and arrange to meet for the second season of the show. However, things end when Monica discovers that Richard, who already has grown-up children, doesn't want to have any more. Although Richard is willing to have a family with Monica to be with her, she feels it is not fair to her, and they break up – a breakup that completely shatters Monica.
The two date again, but it goes nowhere, and by the time Richard is ready to make a big commitment, Monica is already in a serious relationship with Chandler. Even though timing wasn't on Monica and Richard's side, Richard was always a delightful gentleman and the public couldn't help but love him.
2 Charlie was supposed to stay with Ross for the series finale
- Played by Aisha Tyler
- I went out with Ross and Joey
- Appeared in seasons 9 and 10
Charlie was ross's last major romance before he ended up with rachel in Friends series finale. Funny enough, Charlie first dated Joey, but feeling they didn't have much in common, she broke up with him. She ended up developing feelings for Ross, as they were both paleontologists and had similar ambitions in life.
Many still believe that Ross should have stayed with Charlie instead of Rachel, as the two were extremely compatiblewhich is not the case with Ross and Rachel. However, Charlie leaves Ross to return to her two-time Nobel Prize-winning ex, and Ross pursues Rachel once again.
1 Among friends there is no better boyfriend than Mike Hannigan
- Played by Paul Rudd
- He dated and married Phoebe
- Appeared in seasons 9 and 10
There is no doubt that Mike Hannigan is the best romantic interest for Friends out of the band. For some people, it might be the best ever, even factoring Chandler into the equation. From the moment Paul Rudd joined the show, he instantly became almost as iconic as the six main characters, fitting perfectly into the cast.
Phoebe met Mike in the funniest way. Joey was supposed to find her someone to date, but he forgot. He asked a random stranger at Central Perk out on a date with Phoebe, and the rest is history. This exceptional meeting, combined with their amazing love story, in which Mike accepts Phoebe with all her weirdnessmakes Mike the goal boyfriend and husband for an entire generation.