ITV to Premiere ‘Matthew Perry: A Hollywood Tragedy’ This August
The documentary titled Matthew Perry: A Hollywood Tragedy is set to air on ITV1 and ITVX in the United Kingdom on August 18, 2024, at 21:00 London time. This one-hour film explores the life and career of the beloved Friends star, who tragically passed away at the age of 54 in October 2023. The production, overseen by Blue Ant Studios, comes after the documentary’s initial release on the U.S. streaming platform Peacock in February 2024, where it garnered significant attention and made the platform’s top 10 list of most-watched shows during its premiere week.
The film has been updated to include new information regarding the recent developments in the case of Dr. Salvador Plascencia, who pleaded guilty to providing Perry with ketamine in the weeks leading up to his death. The synopsis highlights how Perry’s journey to fame is intertwined with the tragic circumstances of his final days, stating that he allegedly received drugs from sources that the U.S. Attorney claims “should have known better.”
Insights from Co-Stars and Industry Experts
The documentary features candid commentary from Morgan Fairchild, who played Chandler Bing’s mother on Friends. Fairchild shares her experiences working with Perry and discusses his struggles with addiction. Additionally, the film includes insights from various Hollywood insiders, including journalist Katy Forrester from the U.S. Sun, medical professionals, and Martin Estrada, who served as the District Attorney at the Central District of California during Perry’s passing.
Gerbrig Blanksma, senior vice president of international sales and partnerships at Blue Ant Studios, expressed confidence in the documentary’s relevance. He noted, “This latest sale to ITV in the U.K. is testament to the timeliness of the project in addition to ITN Production’s thorough examination of the tragic end of Matthew Perry’s life.” The documentary has already secured sales in nearly 20 territories worldwide, indicating a robust interest in Perry’s story.
Sasha Breslau, head of content acquisitions at ITV, also shared enthusiasm for the film’s release, stating, “We’re pleased to bring this in-depth and fascinating film to ITVX, documenting the life of one of television’s best-loved actors, Matthew Perry.” Breslau emphasized that the documentary presents firsthand accounts from those who knew Perry, along with updated developments that have not been seen before.
Production and Distribution Details
Matthew Perry: A Hollywood Tragedy is executive produced by Ian Russell, head of international programs for ITN, alongside Mike Griffiths and Robert Palumbo. Directed by Palumbo, the film is distributed globally by Blue Ant Studios, with post-production handled in-house by ITN Post. It was commissioned by Cori Abraham, senior vice president at NBCUniversal.
As audiences prepare for this revealing look at the life of Matthew Perry, the documentary promises to provide both a celebration of his career and a critical examination of the challenges he faced.
