Netflix Releases Three-Part Matthew Perry Docuseries

Netflix has released The One About Matthew Perry, a three-part documentary directed by Mary Robertson. The series examines the actor's life and death without featuring any of his co-stars from the NBC sitcom Friends.

The film distinguishes itself from previous coverage by avoiding a focus on the criminal investigations surrounding Perry's death. Peacock recently released a documentary covering those specific legal details. Robertson's project instead centers on the personal impact of Perry's addiction on the people around him.

Perry's younger sister, Mia Perry Bowick, serves as a primary voice in the series. She was 14 years old when born into a household where her brother was already famous. Bowick became a psychotherapist after watching Perry struggle for decades. She recalls learning about his first rehabilitation stint from a tabloid headline and describes the day of his death in detail.

The documentary includes recollections from Roger Castillo and David Pressman, who were friends with Perry during his early years in Hollywood. These men discuss the period when Perry was struggling as an actor in cheap apartments and hanging out at the Formosa Cafe. The series also features Renee Ashton, one of Perry's former girlfriends, who speaks about their intimate relationship.

Robertson excludes high-profile names from Perry's career to keep the focus on the actor rather than his celebrity peers. Warren Littlefield, the NBC entertainment president during the run of Friends, is the only executive from that era to appear. Jeff Strauss, a writer for the show's first season, is also included. No other Friends cast members or major creative figures from the series participate.

The series features Tim Harrington, who met Perry in recovery and lived at his house for a year. West Huddleston is also interviewed, having worked with Perry on drug court advocacy campaigns. These individuals provide context on the challenges of supporting someone with severe addiction.

Critics note that the documentary treats the biographical basics of Perry's life in a perfunctory manner. The film includes familiar talk-show footage and general commentary on Perry's talent. A cultural critic offers platitudes about the success of Friends, which some reviewers feel could have been handled more sharply.

The series is structured as a three-part narrative. It aims to present a sincere and non-exploitative look at addiction from the perspective of those outside the celebrity bubble. The filmmakers chose to highlight the emotional weight of the subject matter over sensational details.

The One About Matthew Perry is now available on Netflix. The runtime for the full series exceeds the length of a standard feature film. The documentary was produced by Robertson, who previously directed Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV.