Discover why Matthew Perry's father and Friends co-stars missed Netflix's docuseries The One About Matthew Perry. Read the emotional family updates.
A moving new three-part docuseries exploring the life, career, and personal struggles of late Friends superstar Matthew Perry has officially debuted on Netflix. Titled The One About Matthew Perry, the project features emotional interviews with close family and lifelong friends. However, viewers quickly noted two major absences: Perry's father, veteran actor John Bennett Perry, and his Friends co-stars. Speaking publicly for the first time since her brother passed away in October 2023 at age 54, Matthew's sister, Mia Perry Bowick, provided clarity regarding her father's health while series director Mary Robertson addressed the absence of the core sitcom cast.
Key Information
- Docuseries Title: The One About Matthew Perry on Netflix
- Director: Mary Robertson (Quiet on Set)
- Production Studios: Maxine Productions Official Page and Sony Pictures Television
- Featured Key Voice: Mia Perry Bowick (Matthew Perry's Sister)
- Primary Subject: Matthew Perry (Chandler Bing on Friends)
- Streaming Platform: Netflix
- Genre Category: Documentary Series, Biography, Entertainment News
Why Did John Bennett Perry Miss The One About Matthew Perry?
John Bennett Perry enjoyed a special connection with his son, appearing alongside Matthew in projects like the 1997 romantic comedy Fools Rush In and a memorable guest spot on Scrubs. Mia Perry Bowick explained that her father deeply wished to participate in honoring Matthew's memory but could not due to ongoing medical challenges.
- Longstanding Illness: Mia shared that their father has been unwell for a long time, preventing him from giving on-camera interviews for the three-part project.
- Family Representation: Because John was unable to attend, the responsibility of representing the Perry family side on camera fell primarily to Mia.
- Warm Tribute: Mia noted that her father would have loved to share stories about his son's warmth and humor, emphasizing that his absence was purely a health matter rather than a lack of desire to contribute.
Why Didn't the Friends Cast Participate in the Netflix Documentary?
Alongside John Bennett Perry's absence, fans noticed that original Friends co-stars Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer were not interviewed for the docuseries.
- Approached by Filmmakers: Director Mary Robertson confirmed to news outlets that all five surviving lead actors were formally invited to participate in the documentary.
- Respectful Refusal: The cast members declined to take part in on-camera interviews.
- Grief and Respect: Robertson explained that the production team completely understood and respected their decision, acknowledging that the cast loved Matthew like family and continue to process their profound grief in private.
Instead, the documentary relies on archival audio, previously unreleased family footage, and intimate interviews with Matthew's childhood friends, recovery advocates, and immediate family members to present a complete picture of his life and legacy. All three episodes of The One About Matthew Perry are currently streaming on Netflix.