Lisa Kudrow Shares Insights on ‘Friends’ and her Role in ‘No Good Deed’: EXCLUSIVE

More than three decades have passed since Lisa Kudrow last performed “Smelly Cat” at Central Perk, yet she describes her role as Phoebe Buffay on “Friends” as one of the most rewarding periods in her life.

She credits her time on the iconic series as instrumental in paving the way for a career she views as “lucky,” “privileged,” and “fortunate.”

“I hit the jackpot being on ‘Friends,’” Kudrow shared with TODAY.com during an interview.

Now starring in the Netflix dark comedy “No Good Deed,” alongside Ray Romano, Kudrow reflects on how every phase of her career has played a significant role, but her experiences on “Friends” were “everything.”

“Everything else I’ve done has been just the cherry on top,” she remarks.

Although the acclaimed series concluded its ten-year run in May 2004, it continues to resonate with long-time fans while new generations of viewers are drawn into the lives of its charmingly quirky characters—Ross (David Schwimmer), Rachel (Jennifer Aniston), Monica (Courteney Cox), Chandler (Matthew Perry), Joey (Matt LeBlanc), and Phoebe, portrayed by Kudrow.

Debuting in 1994, the NBC sitcom garnered six Primetime Emmys (including an Outstanding Supporting Actress award for Kudrow) and has solidified its status as one of the most beloved television shows ever. The remarkable success and ongoing appeal of “Friends” can largely be attributed to the genuine chemistry among the six main actors, something Kudrow acknowledges as authentic.

“We really cared about one another,” she shares. “Going to work every day felt like a dream. It seemed almost too good to be true, but it genuinely was.”

Originally from Encino, California, acting was not Kudrow’s first ambition. She graduated from Vassar with a biology degree and had aspirations for a research career before venturing into comedy. This gamble paid off, and following a successful audition, she secured a spot in the Groundlings, a renowned Los Angeles sketch comedy troupe.

Before long, she transitioned to television, securing a recurring part as the ditzy waitress Ursula on the popular ‘90s sitcom “Mad About You” before joining the cast of “Friends.”

“My only goal was to be self-sufficient as an actor,” she stated to TODAY.com, which underscores that the incredible phenomenon of “Friends” exceeded her wildest dreams.

“Moreover, I worked alongside people I adored,” Kudrow reflects on her time in the series.

Kudrow notes that being part of one of television’s most adored sitcoms has allowed her the freedom to explore her own projects, like the mockumentary “The Comeback,” Showtime’s “Web Therapy,” and the ancestry documentary “Who Do You Think You Are?” that she produced.

“Being on ‘Friends’ permitted me to create my own shows which didn’t need to match its scale, allowing me to pursue fulfilling endeavors like ‘The Comeback’ or ‘Web Therapy,'” she said.

Filming ‘No Good Deed’ without a conclusion

In “No Good Deed,” her latest Netflix venture, Kudrow portrays Lydia Morgan, a suburban Los Angeles resident navigating life after the death of her son and the sale of her home.

Featuring Romano as her husband, Paul, and Denis Leary as his recently released brother, the dark comedy showcases various characters, including Luke Wilson, Linda Cardellini, and O-T Fagbenle, all vying for the Morgans’ coveted Spanish-style mansion. Each character hides secrets, Lydia and Paul included.

Kudrow explains, “Their son has passed away, and there’s a secret behind it. What role did they play in that?” She was captivated by the mystery and the way information unfolds.

“I enjoy plots where the details are gradually revealed in a logical manner but still present that feeling of, ‘Oh, I understand the overarching story here, but I require more details.’ And sometimes what you think you know changes,” she elaborates. “It felt like an exciting adventure to me.”

Blending mystery with a satire of the LA lifestyle, “No Good Deed” keeps audiences guessing about the characters’ true intentions until the very end. Kudrow notes that even she and Romano weren’t privy to the series’ conclusion until they were well into filming.

“We had no clue,” Kudrow recalls regarding the finale, leading Romano to approach showrunner Liz Feldman to inquire about the ending.

“About halfway through filming, Ray approached Liz and said, ‘We are portraying these characters who know the truth, but we don’t. Shouldn’t we be brought into the loop?'” Kudrow shares, saying this prompted Feldman to finalize the concluding storyline before revealing it to them.

“And then it turned out to be such a surprise,” she adds regarding the reveal of “No Good Deed’s” outcome.

Will ‘No Good Deed’ have a second season?

Fans curious about a potential sequel after the finale might wonder if there will be another season.

Kudrow mentions that the decision for Season Two of “No Good Deed” is still in the air: “It’s up to Netflix and Liz to determine the next steps,” she said. “If Liz believes in it and sees potential for Ray and me, I wouldn’t say no. I enjoyed working with everyone. Luke was fantastic. Linda was wonderful.”

As for her future endeavors, Kudrow expresses interest in a “slice-of-life” drama akin to “Scenes from a Marriage” or similar dramatic projects.

“Perhaps another mystery,” she concludes. “But nothing apocalyptic or overwhelmingly tragic.”