Netflix releases three-part Matthew Perry documentary

Netflix has released The One About Matthew Perry, a three-part docuseries directed by Mary Robertson. The project does not follow the narrative of a criminal investigation into the actor's death, a story already covered by a competing series on Peacock. It also avoids a standard tribute to Perry's career on Friends. The series instead examines the experience of addiction and fame from the perspective of people close to Perry who did not appear in the sitcom.

None of the surviving Friends cast members appear in the footage. The show also lacks major creative figures from the NBC sitcom. The only representative from the show's production side is Warren Littlefield, who served as NBC's entertainment president when the series aired. Jeff Strauss, a writer for the first season, also provides commentary. No other high-profile individuals from the show's history are included.

The series features interviews with individuals who worked with Perry in other projects. Doug Draizin, the producer of Fools Rush In, shares his recollections. Nate Torrence, who worked on Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip and Mr. Sunshine, also appears. Jonathan Lynn, the director of The Whole Nine Yards, contributes to the narrative. These participants offer a look at Perry's professional life outside of his most famous role.

Mia Perry Bowick, Perry's younger sister, serves as a central figure in the documentary. She was born when Perry was 14 years old. Bowick describes growing up with a famous sibling. She states that she became a psychotherapist after watching her brother struggle with addiction for decades. She recalls learning of his first rehabilitation stay from a tabloid headline. She also describes the day she learned of his death. Her account provides a personal view of the family's experience.

Roger Castillo and David Pressman, two of Perry's oldest friends, discuss his early years as an actor in Hollywood. They describe the group's time living in inexpensive apartments and hanging out at the Formosa Cafe. The series also includes interviews with former girlfriends who knew Perry personally. These women are not A-list celebrities but rather partners who spent time with the actor in private settings. Rene Ashton and Rome are among those featured.

The documentary highlights the efforts of people who worked directly with Perry on recovery. Tim Harrington met Perry in a recovery program and lived in Perry's home for a year. West Huddleston worked with Perry on advocacy campaigns for drug courts. Their stories focus on the daily reality of supporting an addict. The series presents these relationships as the core of its argument.

The running time of the series is longer than a standard feature-length film. Critics note that the footage includes familiar talk-show clips of Perry telling jokes he had told many times before. It also contains general comments about his talent and the success of Friends from a cultural critic. These segments are interspersed with the more personal interviews. The final product balances well-known anecdotes with new, intimate testimony from Perry's inner circle.