Over Friends’ 10 legendary seasons, dozens of A-list stars dropped by Central Perk — but there’s one guest star the show completely failed, and honestly, I’m still not over it.
Friends earned its place in TV history with its sharp humor, iconic characters, and unforgettable chemistry. Even two decades after its finale, it remains a cultural comfort show for millions. Part of its charm came from the steady stream of celebrity cameos — from Jean-Claude Van Damme and Julia Roberts to Bruce Willis and Reese Witherspoon — each bringing their own spark to the series.
But in Season 9, one of those guest stars didn’t get the treatment they deserved. Their potential was completely wasted — and after seeing them shine in another sitcom, it’s even clearer how Friends dropped the ball on one of its best casting choices. 🌟
Friends Wasted Dermot Mulroney In Season 9
Gavin Deserved So Much More Than Three Episodes
In Friends season 9, Ross and Rachel are figuring out co-parenting while juggling new love interests — Ross with Charlie, and Rachel with Joey. But before the infamous Rachel–Joey pairing ever happened, she met Gavin Mitchell (played by rom-com legend Dermot Mulroney).
Rachel met Gavin when she returned to work after maternity leave, only to find out he’d temporarily replaced her — and everyone adored him. What began as a workplace rivalry soon turned into mutual respect after Gavin helped Rachel care for Emma during an important presentation. Later, at Rachel’s birthday party, Gavin showed up, confessed his feelings, and shared a surprise kiss with her on the balcony — completely unaware that Ross saw everything from across the street.
After realizing how complicated Ross and Rachel’s situation was, Gavin and Rachel agreed to end things before they began… and then Gavin simply vanished from the show.
It’s a shame, because Dermot Mulroney, already a romantic-comedy favorite (My Best Friend’s Wedding, anyone?), brought undeniable charm and chemistry to Friends. But instead of giving him space to shine, the show reduced Gavin to a short-lived plot device for Ross’s jealousy. Not only did he deserve more screen time, but Gavin’s story also deserved closure — not just a quiet fade into sitcom oblivion.
Dermot Mulroney’s New Girl Role Makes His Short Friends Arc Even More Frustrating
From Gavin Mitchell to Russell Schiller — The Glow-Up of a Sitcom Star
Nearly a decade after his short-lived stint as Gavin in Friends season 9, Dermot Mulroney returned to the sitcom world — this time with a role that finally did justice to his charm and charisma. In New Girl, Mulroney played Russell Schiller, the wealthy father of one of Jess Day’s (Zooey Deschanel) students.
At first, Jess assumes Russell is just another out-of-touch rich guy, but she quickly discovers he’s kind, grounded, and surprisingly generous. The two share a genuine connection, and their romance in New Girl season 1 gave Mulroney the space to showcase the warmth, wit, and emotional range that Friends never let him explore.
Russell even returned in the show’s final season, confessing his feelings for Jess once again and trying to stop her wedding — proving how memorable and layered his character truly was. ❤️
Compared to Gavin’s abrupt disappearance on Friends, Mulroney’s turn on New Girl highlighted just how much untapped potential Friends left behind. Watching him shine years later only makes his wasted arc in season 9 sting that much more.
