Twelve years after the final episode of the hit sitcom "How I Met Your Mother" aired, star Josh Radnor has revealed that the cast members are not close.
Radnor, who portrayed the show's narrator Ted Mosby for nine seasons from 2005 to 2014, discussed the cast's current relationship in a recent interview on the "Half the Picture" podcast. "No, not even a little bit," Radnor admitted when asked if the cast remained friends, clarifying that he did not mean this in a dramatic sense.
He likened the situation to college friendships, explaining that the intense, daily interaction during filming created a strong bond, but this bond naturally dispersed as life moved on for each individual. "It's like college where you have this very intense time together and you... can't imagine not seeing each other every day because you've seen each other every day for so long," Radnor said. "And then it just disperses and you just go out and live your life."
Radnor acknowledged that fans might yearn for the cast to remain close due to the show's central theme of friendship. "I have love for all these people," he added, but described their current connection as being "more like family than friends in that you don't get to choose your family. We were cast. We didn't choose each other."
Despite not maintaining close contact, Radnor has had some recent interactions with his former castmates. He reunited with Neil Patrick Harris, who played Barney Stinson, on his rewatch podcast "How We Made Your Mother" in March. Radnor also mentioned that Cobie Smulders, who played Robin Scherbatsky, has appeared on his podcast twice, though most of their interactions have been via Zoom. He also noted that Alyson Hannigan, who played Lily Aldrin, was invited to his 2024 wedding to Jordana Jacobs but has not seen her since. Regarding Jason Segel, who played Marshall Eriksen, Radnor stated they exchange texts occasionally but he has not seen Segel in a long time.
Radnor did not mention Cristin Milioti, who portrayed Tracy McConnell, the titular mother.
The Emmy-winning sitcom "How I Met Your Mother" concluded in 2014. A spin-off, "How I Met Your Father," starring Hilary Duff, aired for two seasons between 2022 and 2023. Radnor recently participated in a "How I Met Your Mother"-themed fundraiser concert and is scheduled to perform his "Evening With" show in New York City in September. He is also set to appear in a forthcoming mockumentary comedy series.