Jane Sibbett Reflects on Her Groundbreaking Role as Carol Willick: "I Was Ready to Go to Battle"

Published: June 16, 2025

Jane Sibbett, known for her iconic role as Carol Willick on Friends, sat down with PEOPLE exclusively to discuss the highs and lows of being part of a monumental storyline in TV history.

Sibbett, 69, originally auditioned for the role of Rachel Green in 1994 but was ultimately cast as Ross's ex-wife Carol due to her second pregnancy at the time.

Carol Willick became a queer icon, breaking barriers for the LGBTQ community as the first lesbian character to marry on primetime television in the episode "The One with the Lesbian Wedding" (Episode 11).

The episode not only showcased a same-sex wedding but also featured Candace Gingrich, a gay-rights activist, officiating the ceremony, which was an incredibly bold statement at the time.

Reflecting on her role in this groundbreaking moment, Sibbett shares the highs and lows of being part of a storyline that sparked bold conversations and controversy.

"I was doing the rounds on talk shows and having to go toe to toe with people who were thumping their bibles at me," Sibbett tells PEOPLE exclusively. "I was raised in a world that knew why you believe what you believe. So I was ready to go. I was ready to go to battle for what I love."

Sibbett expresses gratitude for the opportunity to this day but still emphasizes how much it "shatters" her to witness the way "people distorted such beautiful messages."

"I wish that I could do more currently, I wish that I could have done more then," she says. "I wish we could have had our kiss because it's beautiful to see a kiss."

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