The three-part documentary “The One About Matthew Perry,” which focuses on Matthew Perry’s life, career and personal struggles, will be released on Netflix on October 27. The production features previously unreleased photos and videos from the Perry family’s private archive, while Perry’s sister, Mia Perry Bowick, serves as the main narrator.
Netflix announced that the documentary will cover Perry’s transformation from a rising comedy star into Chandler Bing, the globally beloved character from Friends, as well as his struggles in his personal life. The production will also focus on the legacy he left through his honesty and the awareness he raised about addiction. While it is not known whether Friends cast members will appear, Perry’s close friends and colleagues are contributing to the project through their accounts.
Mary Robertson, known for The Dark Side of Children’s Programming, is directing and executive producing the documentary. Mia Perry Bowick said she wanted her brother to be understood in all his dimensions, not merely as Chandler or as someone struggling with addiction. Matthew Perry died at the age of 54 in October 2023; the autopsy report identified the “acute effects of ketamine” as the primary cause of death, with drowning listed as a contributing factor.
Why it matters
The documentary aims to address Matthew Perry’s career and personal life together, rather than constructing his public image solely through the character of Chandler Bing and his struggle with addiction. The use of family archives and the decision to have his sister, Mia Perry Bowick, serve as narrator strengthen the personal dimension of the story by placing the perspective of Perry’s close circle at its center. By addressing addiction and awareness, the production moves beyond a celebrity portrait and raises the question of how the legacy Perry left behind will be assessed following his death. However, it remains unclear whether the Friends cast will participate in the project; for fans of the series, this remains the key point leaving the documentary’s framework of testimony open.