A juicy piece of Friends history has resurfaced, casting new light on Tate Donovan’s brief stint as Joshua Burgin, Rachel Green’s love interest, and the real-life drama that unfolded behind the scenes. Donovan, who appeared in five episodes of the iconic sitcom’s fourth season in 1998, was originally slated for a much larger role, largely due to his three-year relationship and engagement to Jennifer Aniston, who played Rachel. However, as filming began, the couple’s romance unraveled, leading to an awkward set dynamic and a trimmed storyline. Now, fresh whispers from industry insiders suggest that the true reason for their breakup may have involved one of Aniston’s Friends co-stars, sparking renewed intrigue among fans nearly three decades later.

Donovan, known for roles in Hercules and The O.C., landed the part of Joshua, a charming Bloomingdale’s customer who catches Rachel’s eye, at a time when he and Aniston were still together. The couple, who began dating in 1995 and got engaged in 1996, were a Hollywood power pair, with Aniston’s star rising as Friends became a global phenomenon. According to a recent interview with Donovan in Variety on July 15, 2025, showrunners David Crane and Marta Kauffman initially envisioned Joshua as a recurring character, potentially becoming Rachel’s long-term love interest. “They thought it’d be cute to have my real-life fiancée as my on-screen girlfriend,” Donovan said. “It sounded like a dream gig.”

But by the time filming started in late 1997, cracks had appeared in their relationship. Donovan and Aniston split in early 1998, just as his episodes were being shot. “It was tough,” Donovan admitted. “I was heartbroken, and we had to pretend to be falling in love on screen. Jen was a pro, but you could feel the tension.” His role was subsequently reduced, with Joshua exiting after a whirlwind arc involving Rachel’s failed attempts to seduce him and a botched marriage proposal. Fans on X have long speculated that Donovan’s brief stint was due to the breakup, but new claims suggest a deeper story.

Insiders close to the Friends set, speaking anonymously to Us Weekly in a July 2025 feature commemorating the show’s 30th anniversary, have hinted that the breakup’s catalyst may have involved one of Aniston’s co-stars. While no names were confirmed, speculation has swirled around Brad Pitt, whom Aniston began dating in 1998 shortly after her split from Donovan. Pitt, who later guest-starred as Will Colbert in Friends’ eighth season, was a rising star at the time, and sources claim he and Aniston grew close during a mutual friend’s party in late 1997. “There was a vibe on set that Jen’s attention was elsewhere,” one insider said. “Tate felt sidelined, and it wasn’t just about the show’s schedule.” Another source, quoted by In Touch, suggested that “someone in the Friends circle” may have caught Aniston’s eye, causing friction that led to the engagement’s collapse.

These revelations have set X ablaze, with fans dissecting old interviews and paparazzi photos for clues. One user posted, “Was Brad Pitt the reason Tate and Jen split? The timeline fits!” Another wrote, “Imagine filming romantic scenes with your ex while she’s maybe into someone else from the set. Poor Tate.” However, some fans caution against speculation, noting that Aniston and Donovan have remained amicable. In a 2018 People interview, Donovan called Aniston “one of the most caring people I know,” suggesting no lingering bad blood.

The Friends cast and creators have stayed mum on the rumors, with Crane and Kauffman declining to comment on the 2025 reports. Aniston, now 56 and focused on her production company and The Morning Show, has not addressed the claims, though her team dismissed them as “recycled gossip.” Pitt, who married Aniston in 2000 and divorced in 2005, has also remained silent. Donovan, meanwhile, continues to reflect fondly on his Friends experience, telling Variety, “It was a wild time, but I’d do it again—even the heartbreak.”

As Friends remains a cultural juggernaut, streaming on Max and inspiring nostalgia-driven discussions, this behind-the-scenes drama adds a fresh layer to its legacy. Whether a co-star truly played a role in Donovan and Aniston’s split or it’s just Hollywood hearsay, the story underscores the messy, human side of the show’s golden era, leaving fans wondering what other secrets lurk in Central Perk’s shadows.