Matthew Perry is getting the documentary treatment three years after his tragic death.
Netflix announced on Tuesday, September 1, a new three-part docuseries about the Friends alum titled The One About Matthew Perry. It will be the first in-depth documentary about Perry since his death in October 2023.
The One About Matthew Perry will feature unreleased photos and videos from the Perry family’s private archive as well as testimony from Perry’s sister Mia Perry Bowick, who is a licensed psychotherapist, writer and speaker.
“It’s taken time for me to feel ready to share these memories and what it was like to love Matthew through all the complexity of his life — to see him as a whole person, not just as Chandler, and not just as someone who struggled with addiction,” Bowick said in a statement on Tuesday. “As his sister, he shaped who I am today, the person I strive to be, and the work to which I’ve devoted my life. Matthew had a beautiful heart and a generous spirit, and even in his darkest moments, he could still make you laugh and feel loved. I hope this series gives everyone who loved him, whether personally or from afar, a deeper appreciation for who he truly was, and the legacy he leaves behind.”
The doc is directed by Emmy winner Mary Robertson, who is best known for her work on the Quiet on Set documentary.
“Matthew Perry was one of the comedic geniuses of our time,” Robertson said in a statement on Tuesday. “Through his many films, TV and stage performances, and his unforgettable portrayal of Chandler Bing, he made millions of us laugh, connect and feel a little less alone. He also gave us so much more by bravely speaking about addiction. Yet the public only knew part of his story. That’s why we set out to make this series: to let the people who knew and loved Matthew reveal the person behind the public figure.”
The One About Matthew Perry will premiere on October 27.
Perry rose to fame for playing Chandler Bing on Friends. While Perry had a successful career, he struggled with addiction behind the scenes. The actor opened up his road to recovery in his 2022 memoir, Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing. The following year, Perry was found dead at his home. He was 54.
His cause of death was the acute effects of ketamine. Drowning, coronary artery disease and effects of buprenorphine, which is used to treat opioid use, were also contributing factors in Perry’s death. The manner of his death was ruled an accident.
Five people have since pleaded guilty to charges related to Perry’s death following an investigation into how he obtained a high dose of ketamine.
