Jennifer Aniston played the role of Rachel Green for ten years and won an Emmy and a Golden Globe for her performance. The actress starred in the sitcom Friends for ten seasons and was one of the most popular characters in the culture-defining show. Her career skyrocketed after her tenure in the sitcom.
However, despite it being a decade since the show ended, many critics have called Aniston out for still playing Rachel in other roles. Some critics of her latest TV offering The Morning Show have accused her of being a bad actor and of struggling to move on from Rachel’s persona.
Has Jennifer Aniston Been Able To Move On From Friends?
For ten years, Jennifer Aniston brought in a fun, sarcastic, and slightly dimwit sense of humor to every household in America as she starred in Friends. The actress played Rachel Green, an initially spoiled, rich kid who has to fend for herself after running away from her marriage. Her camaraderie with the rest of the cast was appreciated.
Since Friends ended in 2004, Aniston has become one of the biggest stars in Hollywood and has starred in multiple acclaimed films such as Cake, Horrible Bosses, and more. She returned to TV as a producer and actress in the Apple TV+ show The Morning Show. The actress was nominated for an Emmy and Golden Globe for the series.
However, many have called out the actress for what they call a bad performance in shows after Friends. While fans on Reddit have called her out for rehashing many of Rachel Green’s traits, others have just criticized her acting skills.
The main problem with the show is Jennifer Aniston is a terrible actor…completely unbelievable as a network anchor or even a real person. Painful.
-ex-MtAiry
She has never, ever been believable or good, honestly. Her frozen-faced takes on Friends are hard to watch. She was cute, but is that enough to warrant making dozens of horrible movies and a slew of terrible television shows?
-Capital_8
I feel like all she did the past episodes was moaning and also the only tool of expression is huffing and puffing and muttering “God” under her breath.
-alan_banan_pl
Does anyone find that she seems to slip in and out of Rachel Green while actin?
I’m thinking mostly of Season 2 – episode 2, the scene at the restaurant. However, I’ve noticed it other times too…
-17R3W
While fans do not have a problem with The Morning Show itself, Aniston’s performance seems to have discouraged some viewers from loving it entirely.
Critics Are Wrong About Jennifer Aniston’s Performances Post-Friends
Starring in what is arguably the most popular sitcom of all time can affect one’s career in a drastic way. Few actors are able to break from the role that made them a household name and some struggle to experiment and emerge victorious. However, Jennifer Aniston has been among those few who have managed to move away from their staple roles.
Among the Friends cast, Aniston is the most popular actress who managed to try various other roles. While she starred in a string of romantic comedies like Picture Perfect, The Object of My Affection, and others, she also ventured into a more slapstick style with films like Office Space and Horrible Bosses.
While being in a comedic TV show again might bring back memories of Rachel Green to audiences, many have also pointed out how different Rachel is from The Morning Show’s Alex Levy. IndieWire even mentioned how they felt no sympathy for the character of Levy, who, despite also being a spoiled brat, seems to be in her own world.
Aniston has also ventured into more dramatic films such as Cake, Marley & Me, and Love Happens. She was recently seen with Adam Sandler in Murder Mystery 2.
The Morning Show is available to stream on Apple TV+ while Friends is streaming on Max.
