A documentary series about Matthew Perry, the actor best known for playing Chandler Bing across all ten seasons of Friends, is set to premiere on October 27.
Titled The One About Matthew Perry, the three-part series is the first in-depth documentary about the actor, who died following an accidental overdose in October 2023 at age 54.
The series is directed by Emmy-winning filmmaker Mary Robertson and produced by Maxine Productions, a division of Sony Pictures Television. Executive producers are Robertson, Lisa Kalikow, Eli Holzman, and Aaron Saidman.
Central to the project is testimony from Perry’s sister, Mia Perry Bowick, a licensed psychotherapist and speaker, who is speaking about her brother publicly in this depth for the first time. The series also draws on unreleased photos and videos from the Perry family’s private archive, along with accounts from lifelong friends and creative collaborators.
“Matthew Perry was one of the comedic geniuses of our time. 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,” Robertson said in a statement.
Bowick said she needed time before she felt ready to participate. “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 said. “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.”
Perry appeared in 236 episodes of Friends between 1994 and 2004. Beyond the role, he was known for speaking openly about his struggles with addiction, an advocacy that, alongside his television legacy, defined how many people remembered him after his death.
