Matthew Perry will always be remembered by many viewers as Chandler Bing in Friends, but Netflix’s new documentary explores the life he lived beyond the sitcom.
Netflix’s The One About Matthew Perry, a three-part documentary that premiered globally on 27 October 2026.
Directed by Emmy-winning filmmaker Mary Robertson, whose previous credits include Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV, the series traces Perry’s rise to Hollywood fame, his struggles with addiction and his efforts to help others facing similar challenges.
It also examines the circumstances surrounding his death at 54 in October 2023, offering a more personal account of the actor beyond his most famous role.
Produced by Maxine Productions, part of Sony Pictures Television, the documentary has three episodes, each running for approximately an hour. All three are available on Netflix.
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Matthew Perry’s Story Through Family and Friends
Perry’s performance as Chandler made him one of the most recognisable faces in television comedy. However, the public image of the quick-witted character often sat alongside a much more difficult personal reality.
The documentary uses intimate testimony from his sister, Mia Perry Bowick, and lifelong friends to explore that contrast. It also features previously unreleased family photographs and videos, offering viewers material that goes beyond familiar television clips and red-carpet appearances.
In an interview with Netflix Tudum, Bowick explained that she wanted people to understand her brother as a whole person, rather than seeing him only as Chandler or someone who struggled with addiction. She described making the documentary as “a really beautiful way for me to learn about my own grieving process”.
Her involvement gives the film a personal perspective that a conventional career retrospective might lack. Instead of relying entirely on public appearances and industry commentary, it allows people who knew Perry privately to describe the person they experienced.
How the Series Handles Addiction and His Legacy
The documentary does not separate Perry’s professional success from the addiction that shaped much of his adult life. It examines his periods of treatment and relapse, as well as his efforts to speak openly about recovery.
Perry died in October 2023 from the acute effects of ketamine, with drowning and other factors contributing to his death, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner. His death later led to a criminal investigation into how he obtained the drug.
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