From 1994 to 2004, across 236 episodes, Matthew Perry made the world laugh as Chandler Bing on the era-defining sitcom Friends. As the quick-witted, self-effacing heart of the series, Perry spun everyday anxieties into some of television’s most quoted lines — and became, for millions, their favorite Friend.
But the real-life Perry was just as outspoken about the pain behind the laughter, which stemmed from the battle with addiction he endured for much of his life. When he died following an accidental overdose, in October 2023, at age 54, the world mourned not only a comedic icon but an advocate whose candor about his illness had become a legacy of its own.
Now that legacy is the subject of The One About Matthew Perry, the first in-depth documentary about the actor, featuring some of the people who knew him best. The intimate, three-part series is directed by Emmy winner Mary Robertson and premieres on Oct. 27.
Read on for everything to know about The One About Matthew Perry.
Anchored by never-before-heard testimonies from Perry’s sister Mia Perry Bowick and his lifelong best friends, the three-part series, which features unreleased photos and videos from the Perry family’s private archive, traces his journey from rising comedic star to the man the world still loves as their favorite Friend. Firsthand memories from his creative collaborators and friends who adored and supported him are woven with candid new details on his private struggles.
The series is directed by Emmy winner Mary Robertson and produced by Maxine Productions, a part of Sony Pictures Television. Executive producers are Mary Robertson, Lisa Kalikow, Eli Holzman, and Aaron Saidman. Lora Moftah serves as co-executive producer, and Jessica Call as producer.
“Matthew Perry was one of the comedic geniuses of our time,” Robertson says. “Through his many films, TV, and stage performances, and his unforgettable portrayal of Chandler Bing, he made millions of us laugh, connect, and feel a little less alone. He also gave us so much more by bravely speaking about addiction. Yet 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 draws on never-before-heard testimony from Perry’s sister, Mia Perry Bowick — a licensed psychotherapist, writer, and speaker — along with unreleased photos and videos from the Perry family’s private archive.
“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,” Bowick says. “As his sister, he shaped who I am today, the person I strive to be, and the work to which I’ve devoted my life. Matthew had a beautiful heart and a generous spirit, and even in his darkest moments, he could still make you laugh and feel loved. 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.”
The three-part documentary series premieres Oct. 27.
Stay tuned for more updates on The One About Matthew Perry ahead of its premiere.
