Matthew Perry's 'Friends' Co-Stars Opt Out of Netflix Documentary

Matthew Perry's five primary "Friends" co-stars will not appear in the upcoming Netflix documentary about the late actor's life. The three-part docuseries, titled "The One About Matthew Perry," will feature interviews with other friends and loved ones who knew the actor.

A source told Page Six that Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer were contacted but "decided not to participate." The insider added that the series aims to give a voice to "other friends and colleagues in his life who have memory and love from Matthew."

Another source indicated that Jennifer Aniston, in particular, is not inclined to revisit the subject publicly, stating, "There’s no way Jen would ever do something like that. She isn’t going to sit down and start crying on camera. She doesn’t want to relive it and have it be so public."

Perry died at age 54 on October 28, 2023, from the acute effects of ketamine. The documentary is scheduled to premiere on October 27, nearly three years after his passing.

Directed by Mary Robertson, "The One About Matthew Perry" promises to offer viewers insight into the actor's life. His sister, Mia Perry Bowick, will also speak about his life and legacy for the first time in the series.

The beloved sitcom "Friends," which ran for ten seasons from 1994 to 2004, centered on the lives of six young adults in New York City. The main cast reunited for a one-off special on HBO Max in 2021, reportedly earning $2.5 million each.

Lisa Kudrow, reflecting on the show's enduring popularity in an April interview with The Times, noted how her perspective on "Friends" shifted after Perry's death. "After Matthew died I watched the show again," she said. "Before, I only saw what I did wrong or could have done better, but for the first time I truly appreciated just how great it was. And whatever any of us do in the future, we will never experience something like that again."

Kudrow also praised her co-stars, adding, "I felt I did OK, but Jennifer and Courteney? Amazing. David and Matt? They had me laughing so hard. And then Matthew – he was just beyond us all."

Perry was discovered unresponsive in a hot tub at his Pacific Palisades home. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office later determined the cause of death to be a fatal ketamine overdose.

Following Perry's death, Matt LeBlanc shared a tribute on Instagram, writing, "Matthew. It is with a heavy heart I say goodbye. The times we had together are honestly among the favorite times of my life. It was an honor to share the stage with you and to call you my friend. I will always smile when I think of you and I'll never forget you. Never. Spread your wings and fly brother. You're finally free. Much love....And I guess you're keeping the 20 bucks you owe me."

LeBlanc posted a photo of the "Friends" cast embracing at the finale taping in 2004.

Collectively, the five surviving "Friends" stars released a joint statement mourning Perry's loss. "We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew. We were more than just cast mates. We are a family," the statement read. "There is so much to say, but right now we're going to take a moment to grieve and process this unfathomable loss. In time we will say more, as and when we are able. For now, our thoughts and our love are with Matty's family, his friends, and everyone who loved him around the world."