The Friends Reunion director has responded to criticism of the show's perceived lack of diversity.

Speaking in an interview with The Times, which was published on Sunday, June 6, director Ben Winston defended the HBO Max special, which aired last week.

Watch the trailer for the reunion special below:

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Winston pointed out that a number of people of color featured in the reunion, and bemoaned critics who demanded more from a show made in the 90s, stating:

"We have Malala, Mindy Kaling, BTS. There are three women from Ghana, one who talks about how Friends saved her life. Two boys from Kenya. Three kids in India.

"What more diversity do they want in this reunion? The cast is the cast. It was made in 1994. I think it's remarkable how well it does stand the test of time."

The director added: "I'm really pleased with the show we were able to put together."

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Showrunners Marta Kauffman and David Crane, as well as executive producer Kevin Bright, have also since commented on the debate about the show's cast in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter,

In it, Bright stated that the entirely caucasian cast was more down to the talent of the actors who came in to read for each part and that it was somewhat reflective of the social circles the creators moved in at the time.

Bright stated: "I would have been insane not to hire those six actors. What can I say? I wish Lisa was Black? I’ve loved this cast. I loved the show and I loved the experience."

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He added: "I know Marta has a different feeling about it. I think it affects us all."

Meanwhile, Kauffman said: "Back then, there was no conscious decision. We saw people of every race, religion, color. These were the six people we cast.

"So, it was certainly not conscious. And it wasn't because it was literally based on people, because it wasn’t literal."

She added: "There are probably a hundred things I would have done differently. I’ve talked about it in the past and I do have very strong feelings about my participation in a system, but it comes down to I didn't know what I didn't know."

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Director of 'Friends' Reunion slams criticism over lack of diversity: 'The cast is the cast'