Rider Strong and Will Friedle Recall Heated Lunch Over ‘Girl Meets World’ Development

Rider Strong and Will Friedle have recalled the tense way they learned about the development of the Boy Meets World spinoff, Girl Meets World.

On the Pod Meets World rewatch podcast, Strong, Friedle and Danielle Fishel discussed the events of 2014. Friedle said he and Strong learned about the spinoff through the press while the show was already being cast. Soon after, they met with Boy Meets World co-creator Michael Jacobs for lunch.

Strong said he first learned about the project when a friend texted him, “Congrats on Girl Meets World.” He was surprised because neither he nor Friedle had been told about the series.

The lunch became heated. Strong recalled Jacobs “yelled and yelled and yelled” at them, including questioning whether he had not allowed Strong to attend college. Friedle said the confrontation happened in the middle of a restaurant.

Although neither actor initially wanted to return, both eventually appeared in Girl Meets World after negotiating different roles. Friedle acted in three episodes and was allowed to write one. Strong directed extensively, eventually helming about 18 episodes.

Fishel, who played Topanga, remained a regular throughout all three seasons alongside Ben Savage. Strong and Friedle, meanwhile, made only limited appearances, with their involvement shaped largely by their creative demands.