Why Matthew Perry’s ‘Friends’ co-stars are missing from new Netflix doc

Lanae Brody Sat, October 3, 2026 at 1:31 AM UTC

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The cast of "Friends" was asked to participate in a new docuseries about their former co-star, Matthew Perry.

Netflix’s “The One with Matthew Perry” will be without his most famous “Friends.”

Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc and David Schwimmer chose not to be involved in the upcoming documentary about their late co-star, a source told Page Six.

“They were reached out to and decided not to participate,” the insider said of Perry’s former castmates. “Ultimately, the series gives a voice to other friends and colleagues in his life who have memory and love from Matthew.”

The “Friends” cast (seen here in 1994) was asked to participate in a Netflix documentary about Matthew Perry’s life, but declined, a source told Page Six. ©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection

Perry (seen with Matt LeBlanc during an episode of “Friends” in 1995) became a household name after landing the role of Chandler Bing on the NBC show. ©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection

A second source explained to Page Six why Aniston, 57, in particular would not be involved, saying it would be too difficult to address the loss.

“There’s no way Jen would ever do something like that,” the insider said. “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.”

The intimate three-part series, directed by Mary Robertson, promises to show a glimpse of who Perry was before his tragic death at 54. His sister, Mia Perry Bowick, opens up for the first time about the complexity of his life and the legacy he left behind as part of the project.

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The “Friends” actor (seen here in 1994) died on Oct. 27, 2023 when he was found unresponsive at his home. ©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection

Perry (shown on set with Courteney Cox in 1999) wrote about his struggles with addiction and sobriety in his 2022 memoir. ©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection

Perry remained close with all of his former “Friends” co-stars after the show ended in 2004, but he credited Aniston for being the one who checked in on him the most.

Perry was found unresponsive in a hot tub at his Pacific Palisades home in October 2023. It was later determined he died from the acute effects of ketamine, a drug used to treat depression, as well as recreationally.

Five people, including Perry’s assistant and two doctors, were arrested in connection to his death. They all reached plea deals, with four of the five serving prison time.

Perry was open about his addiction to drugs and alcohol and struggles with sobriety before his death.

Perry’s sister sat down for the first time to share who her brother really was out of the spotlight. Netflix

“She doesn’t want to relive it,” a source close to Aniston (seen here with the cast of “Friends” in 1996) shared about Perry’s death. ©NBC/Courtesy Everett Collection

“I am a survivor,” Perry wrote in his 2022 memoir, “Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing,” where he also revealed he spent over $9 million on rehab.

“I have been through hell and back, and I am still here. I want to share my story because I want people to know that they are not alone. There is hope. You can get better.”

“The One About Matthew Perry” premieres on Oct. 27 in tandem with the three-year anniversary of the actor’s death.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”