Danielle Fishel reveals ‘Girl Meets World’ was not the reunion fans expected

Danielle Fishel is shedding light on what she describes as a challenging and isolating experience while filming “Girl Meets World.”

“Girl Meets World” was a television series on Disney Channel that served as a spinoff of the popular ’90s show “Boy Meets World.” It made its debut on June 27, 2014, and concluded after three seasons on January 20, 2017.

The storyline revolved around Riley Matthews (portrayed by Rowan Blanchard), the offspring of Cory (Ben Savage) and Topanga Matthews (Danielle Fishel), as she encountered the ups and downs of life, friendships, and obstacles during her middle school and high school years.

Recently, in an episode of her “Pod Meets World” podcast, the actress reflected on the differences between her experiences shooting the “Boy Meets World” revival and her time on the original ’90s hit series.

“It was a very, very difficult set in those three years,” Fishel admitted, reflecting on the Disney Channel spinoff, which aired for three years. “Let’s put it this way, the memories we have of the fun set of ‘Boy Meets World’ were not the memories or the fun set of ‘Girl Meets World’. It just wasn’t.”

Fishel, now 43, reprised her role as Topanga Lawrence in the reboot alongside original cast members like Ben Savage and Rider Strong, as well as a new generation of actors, including Sabrina Carpenter and Rowan Blanchard.

However, the actress revealed that the experience wasn’t what she expected, calling the “GMW” set “a rather tumultuous place” where she often felt “ostracized” and “criticized.”

“Do you hate us?” Fishel asked, referring to herself and “Pod Meets World” co-hosts Strong and Will Friedle.

Ward, who now works in the adult film industry, denied harboring any resentment but turned the question back on Fishel. “No, I do not hate you,” she replied. “I think that you hate me because you wouldn’t speak to me on ‘Girl Meets World’ and that was hurtful.”

Ward went on to say that she sensed tension from Fishel at the time, adding, “You had an attitude … there was some beef between us, and I didn’t get it.”

Fishel responded by explaining that her behavior had nothing to do with Ward personally but was instead a reflection of the difficult environment on set. “That was not the set of Danielle being carefree and running around shaking hands and kissing babies,” she said. “So I am sorry that you thought I had something personally against you.”

Despite their past misunderstandings, the two ended the conversation on a positive note, with Fishel extending an olive branch. “We would gladly have you back,” she told Ward, leaving the door open for future discussions.

When “Pod Meets World” first launched, Fishel, Strong, and Friedle stated that they had invited Savage to participate, and while they respected his decision to decline, they later revealed that there was more to the story.

In a 2023 interview, the trio opened up about what they called a “sore subject,” sharing that their former castmate had abruptly cut them out of his life in 2020. “He ghosted us,” Fishel bluntly stated, per BuzzFeed.

“He disappeared. I wish I knew why, to this day,” Friedle added. “We didn’t have a fight. There’s no falling out. There was no animosity. He just woke up one day and decided ‘I don’t want this person in my life anymore’.”

At the time of the interview, all three confirmed that none of them had spoken to Savage in three years. But it wasn’t for lack of trying. In fact, Friedle admitted that he called Savage every single day for a month in an attempt to reach him and understand what had happened, but to no avail.

Despite the lack of communication, Fishel, Strong, and Friedle have continued their podcast, reflecting on their experiences filming the series and the impact it had on their lives. As for Savage, he has remained silent on the matter, leaving fans to wonder if a reunion between the former castmates will ever happen.