FRIENDS actor David Schwimmer has called for an "all black or all Asian" re-boot of the iconic US sitcom, due to a "lack of diversity."
David, who played hapless paleontologist Ross Geller, said he was at the forefront of campaigning for greater diversity in the cast.
Despite ending 16 years ago, the US sitcom is still a hit with young fans – yet David, 53, was eager to put the record straight on casting.
He told the Guardian: "Maybe there should be an all-black Friends or an all-Asian Friends, but I was well aware of the lack of diversity and I campaigned for years to have Ross date women of colour.
"One of the first girlfriends I had on the show was an Asian American woman, and later I dated African American women.
"That was a very conscious push on my part."
One of David's most hilarious scenes as Ross came when he dressed up as the holiday armadillo to entertain son Ben.
This he claims was also a key facet of the diversity push, and he added: "It’s interesting also how the show handled the Judaism of the characters.
"I don’t think that was earth-shattering or groundbreaking at all, but I for one was glad that we had at least one episode where it wasn’t just about Christmas.
"It was also Hanukkah and, even though I played the Hanukkah armadillo, I was glad that we at least acknowledged the differences in religious observation."
One of Ross' girlfriends was Charlie, played by Aisha Taylor, who became the first recurring black character.
David's comments come after there were hopes Friends could return after the cast reunited after its 25th anniversary.
Yet David has poured cold water on the notion of a grand get together.
"I just don't think it's possible, given everyone's different career trajectories.
"I think everyone feels the same – why mess with what felt like the right way to end the series?
"I don't want to do anything for the money.
"It would have to make sense creatively and nothing I've heard so far, presented to us, makes sense."
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