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, and take a first look at the docuseries by watching the trailer at the top of the page. 

What is The One About Matthew Perry about?

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.

Who directed The One About Matthew Perry?

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.”

How is Matthew Perry’s family involved with the documentary series?

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.”

Who’s interviewed in The One About Matthew Perry?

• Mia Perry Bowick is Matthew Perry’s younger sister. She grew up with him in Los Angeles and became a licensed psychotherapist, partly to understand his addiction. This is the first time Mia is speaking about Matthew on camera.
• Roger Castillo was Perry’s best friend for over 40 years, meeting him in LA when Perry was 17. Many years later, he drove Perry to the Friends audition. This is the first time Castillo is speaking about Perry on camera.
• David Pressman is an actor and was Perry’s best friend for over 40 years, part of a circle of aspiring actors who frequented LA’s Formosa Cafe. This is the first time Pressman is speaking about Perry on camera.
• Warren Littlefield was president of NBC Entertainment in the ’90s and greenlit the pilot that became Friends, launching Perry’s stardom.
• Marjorie Harris Newman befriended Perry in the late ’80s, when they were both young actors coming up in LA.
• Billy Gallo was Perry’s co-star in the 1987 Fox sitcom Boys Will Be Boys, one of Perry’s earliest TV roles.
• Jeff Strauss was a writer and producer on the first season of Friends and helped shape the character of Chandler.
• Mary McNamara is a Los Angeles Times culture columnist who has covered Friends since it premiered in 1994 and followed Perry’s career since.
• Kevin Pollak was Perry’s longtime friend and co-star. They appeared together in The Whole Nine Yards, The Whole Ten Yards, and Numb.
• Doug Draizin produced Fools Rush In, one of Perry’s first major starring film roles. The movie is based loosely on Draizin’s own life.
• René Ashton is an actor and was Perry’s friend and girlfriend in the late ’90s, during his time filming The Whole Nine Yards.
• Jonathan Lynn is a director (Clue, My Cousin Vinny) who worked with Perry and Bruce Willis in The Whole Nine Yards.
• Tim Harrington met Perry at a recovery meeting in 2001 and credits him with saving his life. The two became roommates and fellow travelers in recovery.
• Nate Torrence is a comedic actor who co-starred with Perry in Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip and Mr. Sunshine. The latter was written for him by Perry.
• West Huddleston was a friend and fellow advocate — as CEO of All Rise, he worked with Perry on drug court advocacy campaigns.
• Evelyn Sallinger met Perry in rehab in 2017. The two bonded over a shared love of art and music.
• Rome is an actor and was Perry’s on-and-off girlfriend and friend from 2011 on. They parted ways and reconnected later in his life.
• E. Martin Estrada is the former US attorney for the Central District of California who led the prosecution in the criminal case connected to Perry’s death.

What is the release date?

The three-part documentary series premieres Oct. 27. 

Stay tuned for more updates on The One About Matthew Perry ahead of its premiere.