‘Friends’ Stars Reportedly Decline Participation in Matthew Perry Netflix Documentary

Laura Bais
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‘Friends‘ continues to be one of the most beloved and highest-grossing television series ever, thanks to the undeniable chemistry among its six leads. Matthew Perry, who portrayed the witty Chandler Bing, remains closely associated with that iconic role for countless fans.

Perry was also known for his candid discussions about his struggles with addiction. In a 2022 interview with Diane Sawyer, coinciding with the release of his memoir ‘Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing,’ he opened up about his challenges, mentioning that Jennifer Aniston was the friend who reached out to him the most. This transparency has generated significant interest in an upcoming documentary about his life.

However, recent reports about the absence of his co-stars in the documentary have made headlines. Page Six reports that Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer were all approached to participate in Netflix’s ‘The One About Matthew Perry’ but chose not to take part.

The three-part docuseries is set to premiere on October 27, just one day before the third anniversary of Perry’s passing. He died on October 28, 2023, at the age of 54 due to the acute effects of ketamine. The series is directed by Mary Robertson, known for ‘Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV,’ and produced by Maxine Productions, a division of Sony Pictures Television.

Netflix has described this project as the first comprehensive documentary about the actor, featuring insights from his younger sister, Mia Perry Bowick, who will give her first on-camera interview. The documentary will also include contributions from long-time friends Roger Castillo and David Pressman, along with previously unreleased photos and videos from the family’s private collection.

While Netflix has not confirmed any participation from the ‘Friends’ cast, a report from TV Insider mentions that some of Perry’s lifelong friends will appear, though the show’s main cast was not explicitly named.

According to sources cited by Page Six, the five co-stars were contacted but opted out. An insider suggested that Aniston, in particular, would find it too difficult to publicly revisit his loss, expressing a desire not to relive it on camera. This claim has not been verified by Aniston or her representatives.

This reasoning aligns with Aniston’s previous statements. Following Perry’s death, she shared with Variety that she had been texting him on the morning he passed and that he seemed content. The five co-stars also released a joint statement expressing their devastation over his loss.

Netflix has already unveiled a trailer showcasing Perry’s rise to fame, which begins with him recalling the prayer he said before his ‘Friends’ audition and concludes with a clip from ‘The Late Show With Stephen Colbert’ from the year of his passing. According to Variety, the series will also delve into his struggles with substance abuse and his efforts to achieve sobriety.

Robertson has stated that the aim is to allow those who knew and loved Perry to share insights about the man behind the public persona. She acknowledged his bravery in discussing addiction, emphasizing that the public only knew a fraction of his story. This suggests that the documentary will focus more on perspectives from his family and closest friends rather than his famous co-stars.

Regardless of the reports concerning the cast, the premiere is set to resonate deeply with fans. Perry is still closely linked to the show, and he leveraged his fame to advocate for individuals facing addiction. The series aims to look beyond Chandler Bing, revealing how he lived and what legacy he left behind.

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, support is available through local health services and helplines.

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