Netflix Orders Three-Part Documentary on 'Friends' Star Matthew Perry
Netflix has announced a three-part docuseries about the late actor Matthew Perry, directed by Mary Robertson of 'Quiet on Set' fame. The project, titled 'The One About Matthew Perry,' will feature interviews with Perry's sister and lifelong friends, offering an in-depth look at his career and personal struggles. Perry's sister Mia Perry Bowick shared a personal statement about her brother's legacy of honesty and advocacy, while Robertson praised Perry as a comedic genius.
The three-part series will be produced under Robertson's Maxine Productions banner, part of Sony Pictures Television, with Lisa Kalikow, Eli Holzman, and Aaron Saidman serving as executive producers. Perry's sister Mia Perry Bowick is interviewed for the project but holds no production role. The documentary follows Perry's death in 2023 at age 54, which occurred after he injected ketamine and drowned in his hot tub.
Robertson previously directed "Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV," a series examining troubling aspects of children's television production. The new project aims to present Perry's full story through the perspectives of his sister and lifelong friends, addressing both his comedic career and his private struggles with addiction while honoring the advocacy work he left behind.
This documentary could offer viewers a more complete portrait of Perry beyond his iconic role as Chandler Bing, potentially deepening public understanding of addiction and its complexities. By featuring family and close friends, it may humanize a figure often remembered primarily through his television persona. The project could also influence how entertainment media approaches posthumous storytelling, balancing celebration with honest examination of personal challenges.