The pair co-starred in Friends from 1994 until 2004, playing Monica Geller and Chandler Bing respectively. Their characters ended up marrying during the long-running comedy show’s seventh season.

The 40-year-old actor passed on the chance to rekindle their on-screen romance on the ABC show, Contactmusic reports.

“I did ask Matthew if he’d play my boyfriend on the show,” Cox told Us Weekly. “He thought it was a little much after Chandler and Monica.”

Cox’s former Friends castmate Lisa Kudrow was previously announced to guest star as a dermatologist on Cougar Town.

ABC recently optioned Perry’s untitled comedy project, which he will co-write, executive produce and star in.