Fans finally have a real Central Perk to visit in New York. A permanent Central Perk Coffeehouse opened at 20 Times Square in December 2025, more than two decades after Rachel, Ross, Monica, Chandler, Joey and Phoebe last left the orange sofa.
Thirty-two years after its first episode, Friends is still being discovered by new viewers every day. Here is the story of the sitcom that never stops being there for you. Find more classic shows in our TV Series collection.
Friends Fact File
| Original run | 22 September 1994-6 May 2004 |
|---|---|
| Creators | David Crane and Marta Kauffman |
| Network / studio | NBC / Warner Bros. Television (with Bright/Kauffman/Crane Productions) |
| Seasons / episodes | 10 seasons, 236 episodes |
| Main cast | Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, David Schwimmer |
| Setting | Manhattan, New York City |
| Filmed | Warner Bros. Studios, Burbank, California |
Seasons
| Season/Year | Episodes/Release | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Season 1 (1994-95) | 24 episodes | Rachel arrives at Central Perk |
| Season 2 (1995-96) | 24 episodes | Ross and Rachel finally get together |
| Season 3 (1996-97) | 25 episodes | The famous "on a break" saga |
| Season 4 (1997-98) | 24 episodes | Ends with a wedding in London |
| Season 5 (1998-99) | 24 episodes | Monica and Chandler go public |
| Season 6 (1999-2000) | 25 episodes | Monica and Chandler get engaged |
| Season 7 (2000-01) | 24 episodes | Monica and Chandler's wedding |
| Season 8 (2001-02) | 24 episodes | Baby Emma arrives |
| Season 9 (2002-03) | 24 episodes | A trip to Barbados |
| Season 10 (2003-04) | 18 episodes | The finale, "The Last One" |
Episode counts are for the original NBC broadcast, which totalled 236 episodes.
Six Friends and a Coffee Shop
David Crane and Marta Kauffman created a show about six twenty-somethings navigating life, love and work in Manhattan. It premiered on NBC on 22 September 1994 and quickly became a fixture of the TV schedule.
The cast of relatively unknown actors became superstars, and "The Rachel" haircut became one of the most requested styles of the 1990s.
Grab a seat on the sofa in our Friends Men's Hoodie.
Made in Burbank
Although it is set in New York, Friends was filmed at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, California. From season two it moved to Stage 24, which Warner Bros. now calls "The Friends Stage".
The original Central Perk set can be visited on the Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood.
Celebrate all ten seasons with our Friends TV Icon Frame Men's T-Shirt.
The Last One
The finale aired on 6 May 2004 and was watched by 52.5 million people in the US, one of the biggest audiences for a TV finale. The cast reunited for Friends: The Reunion, released on HBO Max on 27 May 2021.
Matthew Perry, who played Chandler Bing, died on 28 October 2023, aged 54, and tributes poured in from fans and his co-stars.
Be there for the reunion vibes with our Friends TV Icon Frame Men's Hoodie.
A Sitcom for Every Generation
Thanks to streaming, Friends has found a new audience of viewers who were not even born when it ended, and the new Times Square coffeehouse is just the latest sign of its staying power.
Awards
Primetime Emmy Awards (6 wins)
- Outstanding Comedy Series (2002)
- Jennifer Aniston: Lead Actress in a Comedy (2002)
- Lisa Kudrow: Supporting Actress in a Comedy (1998)
- Bruce Willis: Guest Actor (2000)
- Christina Applegate: Guest Actress (2003)
- Directing (1996)
Behind the Scenes
Season one was filmed on a different Burbank stage before the show moved to Stage 24 for the rest of its run. The Central Perk Coffeehouse at 20 Times Square opened in December 2025, bringing the famous café to the city where the show is set.
FAQs
How many seasons of Friends are there?
There are ten seasons and 236 episodes, broadcast on NBC from 1994 to 2004.
Where was Friends filmed?
At Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, California, mainly on Stage 24 from season two onwards.
Who created Friends?
David Crane and Marta Kauffman.
How many people watched the Friends finale?
The finale, "The Last One", was watched by 52.5 million viewers in the US.
How many Emmys did Friends win?
It won six Primetime Emmys, including Outstanding Comedy Series in 2002.
Is Central Perk a real place?
It was a TV set, but a permanent Central Perk Coffeehouse opened at 20 Times Square, New York, in December 2025.
Shop the Friends Collection
Our made-to-order Friends fan designs are printed in the UK, and you can add your own name to a classic hoodie too.
Friends Men's Hoodie
£39.99
Custom Name Men's Hoodie
£39.99
Explore more classic shows in our TV Series collection and Comedians collection. Want your own name on the back instead? Design a Custom Name Men's Hoodie.
Part of our Icon Profiles series. Read next: Top TV Shows & Boxsets and Top Comedians: Legendary Comics and Current Stars.
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