“They have to get together!”

It’s the question that was famously posed by When Harry Met Sally: can men & women be friends without them turning to sex?

Starstruck‘s Rose Matafeo is a declared fan of romantic comedies, and penned a script in which millennial Jessie navigates the pitfalls of romance, sex and attraction, with film star Tom (Nikesh Patel).

“I love that film so much,” she tells TV Tonight.

“I don’t know where I necessarily come to on that question anyway, because I’m naturally inclined to say ‘Of course, we can be friends’ But then there are interesting elements to that argument.

“In a heterosexual relationship, is there an expectation that something could maybe happen? I really do have male friends, who I’m like, ‘No, it’s not going to happen.’ We’re purely friends.

“But I think what this plays on more is the idea that they are two people who are meant to be together but are being kept apart by themselves… by their own judgments or insecurities. The obstacles lie within themselves, not externally,” she explains.

“In the show, it’s not actually his fame that is getting in the way of them being together. It’s just his insecurity about his fame or his status.

“So I think (men & women) can be friends, but not in this! They have to get together!”

But where does that leave cinema manager Dan (Jonathan Pointing), with the suggestion of history between them to?

On that point Matafeo is clear cut.

“Dan is the casual sex guy, for sure!”

Starstruck airs 9pm Wednesdays on ABC.