The One About Matthew Perry: Intimate Netflix Documentary Series Premieres Next Month

Matthew Perry’s sister and closest friends remember the generous, funny, and larger-than-life man who rose to global superstardom — and reflect on how his honesty about his private struggles became part of his lasting legacy. “The One About Matthew Perry,” an intimate three-part documentary series, premieres globally on Netflix on October 27, one day before the third anniversary of the actor’s death.

What the Series Covers

Described by Netflix as the first in-depth, definitive documentary about the “Friends” star, the series traces Perry’s journey from a young actor in Los Angeles through his breakout on “Friends” and the film and television career that followed. It also candidly explores his decades-long struggle with addiction and his later years as an outspoken advocate for others in recovery. The series draws on previously unreleased photos and videos from the Perry family’s private archive, alongside intimate, firsthand testimony from the people who knew him best.

Series Snapshot

Mia Perry Bowick Speaks for the First Time

The documentary’s most significant participant is Perry’s younger sister, Mia Perry Bowick, a licensed psychotherapist who has revealed she entered the field partly to better understand her brother’s addiction. This marks the first time she has spoken publicly about him on camera. She described the experience as one that took time to feel ready for, reflecting on what it meant to love Matthew through the full complexity of his life, and to see him as a whole person rather than a public image. Alongside her, the series features accounts from Perry’s longtime friends David Pressman and Roger Castillo, along with several of his former girlfriends, offering new firsthand perspectives on his journey through addiction and recovery.

What the Director Said

Mary Robertson, who previously directed the acclaimed “Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV,” called Perry one of the comedic geniuses of his time, crediting his work — and particularly his portrayal of Chandler Bing — with making millions of people laugh, connect, and feel less alone. She said the goal behind making the series was to let the people who knew and loved Matthew reveal the person behind the public figure.

A Story of Complexity and Advocacy

Beyond his career, the documentary examines the toll of Perry’s addiction, including his reported spending of more than $7 million in his efforts to get sober, and the advocacy work he took on in his later years to support others facing similar battles. Bowick has described her brother as someone with a beautiful heart and a generous spirit, who could still make people laugh and feel loved even in his darkest moments.

Why It Matters

Arriving just ahead of the third anniversary of Perry’s passing, “The One About Matthew Perry” offers the most personal and detailed look yet at the actor’s life beyond his sitcom fame, giving voice to family members and friends who have largely stayed private until now. For an actor whose openness about his own struggles resonated deeply with audiences during his lifetime, the series positions that same honesty as central to how he’s remembered.

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