Nearly three years after Matthew Perry’s death, his family is opening up in a new way. Netflix has set October 27 as the premiere date for The One About Matthew Perry, a three-part documentary series that promises an intimate, unfiltered look at the actor beloved for playing Chandler Bing on Friends, according to Just Jared.
The title, a nod to the show’s signature episode-naming style (“The One With…” or “The One Where…”), sets the tone for a project that’s clearly aiming to feel personal rather than clinical. That approach makes sense once you see who’s behind the camera and in front of it.
Who’s Involved
The series is directed by Emmy-winning producer and director Mary Robertson, whose previous credits include Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV and The Fall of Diddy. Both projects tackled difficult, sensitive subject matter, and that background suggests Netflix wanted a steady hand for a story this personal.
Matthew Perry’s sister, Mia Perry Bowick, appears in the documentary and shared a statement about what she hopes viewers take away from it. “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,” she said.
Other interviewees include Billy Gallo, Jeff Strauss, and Mary McNamara, among others close to Perry over the years. Kevin Pollak and Jonathan Lynn are also listed as participants. The family reportedly contributed never-before-seen videos and photos from their private collection, giving the series access most documentaries about famous figures don’t get.
Why This Documentary Matters Now
Perry died on October 28, 2023, at age 54. His death was ruled to have been caused by the acute effects of ketamine, and the case has continued to unfold in the years since. Five people have been sentenced in connection with his death, including his former assistant, who was recently sentenced to prison.
That legal backdrop adds weight to the documentary’s release, even though the project itself is framed around celebrating who Perry was rather than relitigating how he died. Netflix’s description leans into his generosity, humor, and vulnerability, along with the personal battles he was open about during his life, including his long public struggle with addiction.
Perry wrote candidly about his sobriety journey in his own memoir before his death, so the documentary isn’t covering entirely new emotional territory. What’s new here is the access: family testimony, private archives, and the perspective of people who knew him outside the spotlight of Friends.
What Fans Can Expect Next
Netflix hasn’t detailed exactly how the series will handle the circumstances of Perry’s death or the ongoing legal fallout, and those specifics remain unclear ahead of the premiere. What is confirmed is the October 27 release date, one day before what would mark three years since his passing.
For a generation that grew up watching Chandler Bing crack jokes on a Central Perk couch, this series offers a chance to see the man behind the character, told largely by the people who knew him best.
Source: Just Jared
