Why did the ‘Friends’ cast decline to appear in Matthew Perry’s Netflix documentary? Director explains

Director Mary Robertson said all the actors were approached for the documentary

Netflix’s new documentary about Matthew Perry explores the late actor’s life, career and struggles with addiction, but some of his closest former co-stars are absent. Director Mary Robertson has explained why the surviving cast members of Friends did not take part in the project.

Titled The One About Matthew Perry, the three part series premiered on Netflix on October 27, 2026, marking the third anniversary of Perry’s death at the age of 54. It features interviews with people who knew the actor personally, including his sister, alongside individuals who worked with him during his decade on the hit sitcom.

Speaking to The New York Times, Robertson confirmed that Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc and David Schwimmer were approached about participating. However, the actors ultimately decided against appearing.

“We know the Friends cast loves Matthew and is grieving Matthew,” Robertson said. “We did approach them about participation. They decided not to participate.”

The director did not suggest that their decision reflected any lack of affection for Perry. Instead, her comments acknowledged that his former castmates were continuing to grieve their friend.

The absence is notable because Perry’s portrayal of Chandler Bing helped make Friends one of television’s most recognisable sitcoms. The surviving cast members had also publicly expressed their grief following his death in October 2023.

In a joint statement released shortly after the news emerged, they described themselves as a family rather than simply colleagues. They said they needed time to process the loss before sharing further thoughts.

The actors later published individual tributes, recalling their relationships with Perry and their experiences working together.

The Netflix documentary takes a broader look at Perry’s life, including his work as an actor and his advocacy for addiction recovery. Its interviews aim to present a fuller picture of the person behind his best known television character.