Photo: John Lamparski/GettyKathleen Turneris recounting her time onFriends.Starting in 2001, Turner played Helena Handbasket — Chandler Bing’s parent — on the beloved series. Though it’s now understood that the character was a trans woman, throughout the show, Chandler (Matthew Perry) and other characters referred to Helena as Chandler’s “father.“In re-examining the role, Turner, now 68, said there wasn’t ever a plan tocast a transgender actoras Helena.“There was no question of casting a trans person or a drag queen – it was never considered,” Turner toldThe Guardian. “It never crossed my mind that I was taking a role from someone.“When asked if she’d ever reprise the role, Turner responded, “Probably not. But I certainly don’t regret having taken it. It was a challenge!“Alamy Stock PhotoTurner previously stated the role was pitched to her as “thefirst woman playing a man playing a woman” in a conversation withThe Gay Times.Helena, who appeared in four episodes ofFriends, was called “gay” or a “drag queen” on the series — and was never formally referred to as transgender.The character has been highly scrutinized as the years have passed, with even the show’s co-creator,Marta Kauffman, expressing regret for how the character was portrayed.In 2022, Kauffman confirmed Helena was intended to be a transgender woman.“We kept referring to her as Chandler’s father, even though Chandler’s father was trans,” Kauffman said in a conversation onBBC World Service’sThe Conversation. “Pronouns were not yet something that I understood. So we didn’t refer to that character as ‘she.’ That was a mistake.“Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Kauffman also pledged $4 million to the African and African American Studies department of Brandeis University last year, acknowledging a lack of diversity in theFriendscast.“I’ve learned a lot in the last 20 years,” she told theLos Angeles Times. “Admitting and accepting guiltis not easy. It’s painful looking at yourself in the mirror. I’m embarrassed that I didn’t know better 25 years ago.”
Photo: John Lamparski/Getty
Kathleen Turneris recounting her time onFriends.Starting in 2001, Turner played Helena Handbasket — Chandler Bing’s parent — on the beloved series. Though it’s now understood that the character was a trans woman, throughout the show, Chandler (Matthew Perry) and other characters referred to Helena as Chandler’s “father.“In re-examining the role, Turner, now 68, said there wasn’t ever a plan tocast a transgender actoras Helena.“There was no question of casting a trans person or a drag queen – it was never considered,” Turner toldThe Guardian. “It never crossed my mind that I was taking a role from someone.“When asked if she’d ever reprise the role, Turner responded, “Probably not. But I certainly don’t regret having taken it. It was a challenge!“Alamy Stock PhotoTurner previously stated the role was pitched to her as “thefirst woman playing a man playing a woman” in a conversation withThe Gay Times.Helena, who appeared in four episodes ofFriends, was called “gay” or a “drag queen” on the series — and was never formally referred to as transgender.The character has been highly scrutinized as the years have passed, with even the show’s co-creator,Marta Kauffman, expressing regret for how the character was portrayed.In 2022, Kauffman confirmed Helena was intended to be a transgender woman.“We kept referring to her as Chandler’s father, even though Chandler’s father was trans,” Kauffman said in a conversation onBBC World Service’sThe Conversation. “Pronouns were not yet something that I understood. So we didn’t refer to that character as ‘she.’ That was a mistake.“Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Kauffman also pledged $4 million to the African and African American Studies department of Brandeis University last year, acknowledging a lack of diversity in theFriendscast.“I’ve learned a lot in the last 20 years,” she told theLos Angeles Times. “Admitting and accepting guiltis not easy. It’s painful looking at yourself in the mirror. I’m embarrassed that I didn’t know better 25 years ago.”
Kathleen Turneris recounting her time onFriends.
Starting in 2001, Turner played Helena Handbasket — Chandler Bing’s parent — on the beloved series. Though it’s now understood that the character was a trans woman, throughout the show, Chandler (Matthew Perry) and other characters referred to Helena as Chandler’s “father.”
In re-examining the role, Turner, now 68, said there wasn’t ever a plan tocast a transgender actoras Helena.
“There was no question of casting a trans person or a drag queen – it was never considered,” Turner toldThe Guardian. “It never crossed my mind that I was taking a role from someone.”
When asked if she’d ever reprise the role, Turner responded, “Probably not. But I certainly don’t regret having taken it. It was a challenge!”
Alamy Stock Photo
Turner previously stated the role was pitched to her as “thefirst woman playing a man playing a woman” in a conversation withThe Gay Times.
Helena, who appeared in four episodes ofFriends, was called “gay” or a “drag queen” on the series — and was never formally referred to as transgender.
The character has been highly scrutinized as the years have passed, with even the show’s co-creator,Marta Kauffman, expressing regret for how the character was portrayed.
In 2022, Kauffman confirmed Helena was intended to be a transgender woman.
“We kept referring to her as Chandler’s father, even though Chandler’s father was trans,” Kauffman said in a conversation onBBC World Service’sThe Conversation. “Pronouns were not yet something that I understood. So we didn’t refer to that character as ‘she.’ That was a mistake.”
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Kauffman also pledged $4 million to the African and African American Studies department of Brandeis University last year, acknowledging a lack of diversity in theFriendscast.
“I’ve learned a lot in the last 20 years,” she told theLos Angeles Times. “Admitting and accepting guiltis not easy. It’s painful looking at yourself in the mirror. I’m embarrassed that I didn’t know better 25 years ago.”
source: people.com
