Matthew Perry: A Hollywood tragedy - Best TV on tonight
Matthew Perry: A Hollywood Tragedy is on ITV1 and ITVX tonight at 9pm.
Matthew Perry: A Hollywood Tragedy is on ITV1 and ITVX tonight at 9pm.
Being shown to a UK audience for the first time, ITN Productions’ documentary has been updated since its original debut on Peacock in the US, now incorporating fresh developments in the case of Dr. Salvador Plascencia, who has been charged with administering ketamine to Matthew Perry.
The special one-off film explores Perry’s life, his enduring impact on fans worldwide, and the unusual circumstances surrounding his untimely passing.
Matthew Perry’s on-screen mother and Friends co-star, Morgan Fairchild, offers a frank discussion about his struggles with addiction and her experiences working alongside him.
The programme also features rare and insightful interviews with Hollywood insiders, US Sun journalist Katy Forrester, medical experts, and Martin Estrada—who was the District Attorney at the Central District of California US Attorney’s Office when Perry died—among others.
Sasha Breslau, ITV’s Head of Content Acquisitions, said: “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. The film hears first hand from those who knew Matthew, as well as telling the story of his untimely passing with updated developments not seen before.”
The documentary was originally commissioned by Peacock/NBC and first aired on Peacock in the US in February this year. Blue Ant Studios is handling the global licensing and distribution, now bringing the film to the UK.
Ian Russell, ITN Productions’ Head of International Programmes, said: “Matthew Perry’s story is known the world over. In making this documentary, our US and UK-based production team wanted to look beneath the headlines to tell a detailed story of this Hollywood star. Matthew Perry’s story is truly a Hollywood tragedy. We set out to present the complexities around his life, the tragic circumstances around his death and his place in popular culture with sensitivity and insight.”
Gerbrig Blanksma, SVP of International Sales & Partnerships at Blue Ant Studios, added: "This latest sale to ITV in the UK is testament to the timeliness of the project in addition to ITN's thorough examination of the tragic end of Matthew Perry’s life. Sales have already been made in nearly 20 territories globally and we expect interest in the documentary to continue."