Chandler Bing as we know today is because of Matthew Perry, who could turn an awkward silence into a punchline. But away from his iconic show FRIENDS, the actor’s life was marked by a long, public struggle with addiction.
Netflix is now turning his life journey into a documentary as a tribute. Directed by Emmy-winning filmmaker Mary Robertson, The One About Matthew Perry, the three-part documentary series is set to premiere on October 27, 2026.
The teaser of the documentary promises a more personal portrait of Matthew Perry, drawing on family memories, accounts from longtime friends and previously unreleased photographs and videos.
Here is what to know about the documentary ahead of its release.
Matthew Perry Documentary: The One About Matthew Perry On Netflix
According to Netflix, The One About Matthew Perry would trace the actor's journey from a rising comedy performer to an internationally recognised television star. The documentary will also include people who knew him personally.
The three-part documentary will examine his private struggles, placing them alongside his professional achievements and efforts to speak openly about substance addiction.
Robertson explained the motivation behind the documentary in Netflix’s announcement: “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 series is being produced by Maxine Productions, a part of Sony Pictures Television. Robertson, Lisa Kalikow, Eli Holzman and Aaron Saidman are executive producers, while Lora Moftah serves as co-executive producer and Jessica Call as producer.
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Matthew Perry’s Sister Mia Perry Bowick To Speak About Him For The First Time
One of the documentary’s central contributors is Perry’s younger sister, Mia Perry Bowick, a licensed psychotherapist, writer and speaker. Netflix says this will be her first time speaking about her brother on camera.
The series will also draw on material from the family’s private archive, including photographs and videos that have not previously been released publicly. Bowick’s participation offers a family perspective on Perry’s life beyond his fame and his well-documented addiction struggles.
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Speaking about the decision to share her memories, Bowick said: “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.”
She added that her brother had shaped the person she had become and the work she pursued. “Matthew had a beautiful heart and a generous spirit, and even in his darkest moments, he could still make you laugh and feel loved,” she said.
Who Will Appear In The Documentary?
The documentary features a mix of family members, friends, actors, television executives and people who worked with Perry during different stages of his career.
Roger Castillo and David Pressman, both of whom had been friends with Perry for more than 40 years, will share their memories on camera for the first time. Castillo met Perry when he was 17 and later drove him to his audition for Friends. Pressman was part of the circle of aspiring actors Perry spent time with in Los Angeles.
The series also features Warren Littlefield, the former NBC Entertainment president who greenlit the Friends pilot, and Jeff Strauss, a writer and producer on the sitcom’s first season who helped shape Chandler’s character.
Actor Kevin Pollak, who appeared alongside Perry in The Whole Nine Yards, The Whole Ten Yards and Numb, is among the other contributors. Director Jonathan Lynn, who worked with Perry on The Whole Nine Yards, and producer Doug Draizin, associated with Fools Rush In, will also appear.
The documentary’s other participants include actor Nate Torrence, who worked with Perry on Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip and Mr. Sunshine; recovery advocate West Huddleston; and Tim Harrington, whom Perry met at a recovery meeting in 2001.
Former US attorney E. Martin Estrada, who led the prosecution in the criminal case connected to Perry’s death, is also listed among the interviewees.
When And How To Watch Matthew Perry's Documentary?
The One About Matthew Perry will premiere on Netflix on October 27, 2026.
The series arrives three days before the third anniversary of Perry’s death on October 28, 2023.
The documentary seeks to look beyond Chandler Bing and bring together experiences that shaped Matthew Perry’s life.
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Whether its most revealing moments come from his family’s recollections or his friends’ accounts, the series offers an opportunity to revisit the actor beyond his most famous role.
FAQs
Q1. When will the Matthew Perry documentary release?
A1. The One About Matthew Perry premieres on Netflix on October 27, 2026.
Q2. Where can I watch The One About Matthew Perry?
A2. The three-part documentary will be available on Netflix.
Q3. Who is directing the Matthew Perry documentary?
A3. The documentary is directed by Emmy-winning filmmaker Mary Robertson.