The NBC sitcom, Friends, has been ahead of its time. An attestor of household staples for generations, Friends portrayed the beauty of friendship equations and romantic interests alike. By the end of the series, the show had its It couples, but before that, the fans already shipped their favorites. Before settling with Rachel Green, the ship of Ross Geller and Emily Waltham, starring Helen Baxendale, took sail.

Waltham’s unexpected intervention was a catalyst for many emotional rollercoasters. While her appearance was rather brief, she had once revealed much about her perspective on the fame she had garnered in Friends.

Emily Waltham on fame, family and Friends

Waltham’s brevity in the Friends television series had no shortcomings in her acclaimed fame. Having been present for 16 episodes in the fourth season precisely, her character was then written out earlier than was intended as she was expecting her first child. Years later quitting Friends, Waltham opened up to Daily Mail in 2012 about how popularity had been “a gilded prison”.

She added how overwhelming it was as living a normal life had become difficult. Especially given, she was not prepared for something in the likes. Waltham further recalled that the decisions that led her “back to Britain” were never regretted by her. She also disclosed that the fame “just didn’t fit in” with her lifestyle nor was it the “pinnacle of her existence”.

Although Emily Waltham’s feature was cut short, her achievement in the series had knocked quotients of the most shipped pair, Ross and Rachel.

Emily Waltham’s role in Friends

In a strange course of storytelling, the first initiator of the love story of Ross and Emily was Rachel Green. Although courting them in the marriage hall was not her plan, the event did follow. This was also the catalyst for Rachel’s realization of her feelings for Ross. While the couple was all ready to take their relationship to the next level, Ross made one of the biggest blunders.

Ross misplaced the name of Emily with Rachel during the vow exchange. He said, “I, Ross, take thee, Rachel”. An iconic line that still resounds to the fans laid out the crux of Emily’s remembrance in the show. Although Helen Baxendale quitting the show had been a conscious decision, it also made sure that destiny followed its course to give Ross Geller the love of his life, Rachel.

What do you think about Helen Baxendale’s stance on family over fame? Let us know in the comments below!