Streaming service Netflix has announced the upcoming release of The One About Matthew Perry, a documentary series dedicated to the life, work, and personal journey of American actor Matthew Perry. The project consists of three episodes, with a premiere scheduled for October 27, 2026. The creators' focus is not only on the star-studded career of one of the most recognizable comedy artists of his generation, but also on his lesser-known personal stories, including his battle with addiction, which Perry spoke about openly during his lifetime.
What the Documentary Series Will Cover
According to the creators, the series will trace Matthew Perry's path from a young comedy star to one of the most famous television actors of his generation. Viewers will see previously unpublished photographs and video footage from the family archive, as well as new details about the actor's private life and his legacy. The creators place particular emphasis on the topic of addiction: Perry was known for publicly discussing his struggle with it and for highlighting the importance of helping people who face similar problems.
An Inside Look: Matthew Perry's Sister
The key narrator in the project is the actor's sister, Mia Perry Bowick, who shares personal memories of her brother. She admitted that it took her time to feel ready to speak publicly about his life, and that her goal is to present Perry as a whole person, not just a star or an "addict." "Matthew had a wonderful heart and a generous soul, and even in his darkest moments he could still make you laugh and make you feel loved," she said. Mia also noted that thanks to her brother she became the person she is today and found a cause to dedicate her life to.
The Project Team
The series was directed and executive produced by Mary Robertson, known for the documentary project Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV and for producing Framing Britney Spears. Among the other executive producers are Lisa Kalikow, Eli Holtzman, and Aaron Sidman; co-executive producer Laura Mofatt; and producer Jessica Cole. Robertson called Perry one of the greatest comedy talents of his generation and emphasized that, thanks to his roles in film, television, and on stage — above all his portrayal of Chandler in "Friends" — the actor made people laugh, feel connected to others, and feel less alone. At the same time, in her words, the public knew only part of his story, which prompted the creators to give the word to those who personally knew and loved the actor.
Contradictory Information
The source materials contain an inconsistency in how the project's main subject is framed: in one description, the actor's sister Mia Perry Bowick is directly named the "subject" of the documentary series, whereas the title The One About Matthew Perry and the overall concept place Matthew Perry himself at the center. Thus, one version emphasizes the sister's role as the lead narrator, while the other treats Perry as the sole subject. In addition, it has not yet been confirmed whether other actors from "Friends" will appear in the series: Netflix only notes that "some close friends" and "creative colleagues" of the actor took part in the project, without revealing their names. Until official details are released, these points remain open.
Context: The 2023 Tragedy and the Investigation
As a reminder, Matthew Perry died in October 2023 at the age of 54; the cause of death was an accidental ketamine overdose. Following this, law enforcement agencies opened an investigation into how the drug came into the actor's possession and established the involvement of several individuals in its illegal supply. Five people were arrested in the case, including two doctors — Salvador Plascencia and Mark Chavez — the actor's personal assistant Kenneth Iwama, intermediary Eric Fleming, and drug dealer Jasveen Sangha. The Netflix documentary series, released nearly three years after the tragedy, will be one of the first major public projects in which Perry's family and loved ones systematically tell the story of his life and legacy.
