Netflix releases three-part Matthew Perry docuseries

Netflix has released the three-part docuseries 'The One About Matthew Perry.' The series focuses on the late actor's struggle with substance abuse and his death from a ketamine overdose in the fall of 2023. Director Mary Robertson, known for 'Quiet on Set,' led the production.

The series features a limited number of high-profile guests. None of Perry's 'Friends' castmates were interviewed. Longtime friend Hank Azaria, as well as collaborators Bradley Whitford and Aaron Sorkin, also did not appear. The absence of these names shifts the focus to Perry's immediate circle.

Mia Perry Bowick, Perry's younger half-sister, serves as the primary narrator. Bowick, a therapist, describes the experience of sharing a loved one with the public. She is joined by close friends Roger Castillo and David Pressman. The group recalls pre-fame nights spent at West Hollywood's Formosa Cafe with Perry and Azaria.

Additional voices include multiple ex-girlfriends and a member of Gen Z who met Perry during a rehabilitation stint. The young woman noted their age gap was not a barrier, stating, 'I was born in 1997; you're not that big a deal to me.' Director Jonathan Lynn also speaks to Perry's artistic abilities.

The series relies on Perry's own previously recorded audio and archival clips. An introductory title card describes the show as the story of Perry's life told by his family, friends, and Perry himself. The narrative covers his 2018 sepsis-induced coma resulting from opiate use. It also details his anxiety over the 2021 'Friends' reunion, where online comments critiqued his appearance and mannerisms.

The timeline begins with Perry taking prescribed painkillers after an on-set injury during the filming of the 1997 film 'Fools Rush In.' The episodes trace cycles of relapse, detox, and sobriety. The final minutes address the legal consequences of his death, which led to multiple criminal convictions for his dealers and live-in assistant Kenneth Iwamasa. Iwamasa administered the fatal drug dose.

A former U.S. Attorney provides interviews on the legal proceedings. Bowick offers a personal perspective, arguing that Iwamasa should have alerted family members to Perry's ketamine abuse. The series concludes by reframing well-known headlines through the eyes of those closest to the actor.