Mia Perry's grief work takes center stage in Netflix documentary about Matthew Perry

Mia Perry, the half-sister of late actor Matthew Perry, is now a central figure in the Netflix documentary The One About Matthew Perry. The film, released three years after Perry died in 2023, examines his struggle with substance abuse and his pursuit of fame. Perry's sister played a key role in bringing the project to fruition and appears on screen discussing her brother's life.

Mia Perry is 17 years younger than Matthew, born in 1986 to his father John Bennett Perry and stepmother Debbie Boyle. The two had different career paths. While Matthew became a global star, Mia avoided the public eye to build a professional life in mental health care. She holds two master's degrees and works as a licensed psychotherapist, writer, and public speaker.

Following her brother's death, Mia shifted her professional focus to grief counseling. She developed a method called Grief Alchemy, which she describes on her website as a framework for moving through loss. She states that the experience restructured her world and informed her work in neuroscience, attachment theory, and somatic awareness.

Mia Perry is married to David Bowick, a singer-songwriter and composer. Bowick's music features in the first two episodes of the documentary. He also appears briefly on camera, offering a personal perspective on his brother-in-law. Bowick noted that he rarely discussed Matthew publicly, describing him simply as a brother who would greet him with "Hey brother."

Bowick, who also lost a sister named Zoe, spoke about the shared experience of grief. He said it is strange to watch the world remember a person while family members are still adjusting to living without them. The couple reportedly has two daughters named Willa and Lily.

Matthew Perry described Mia as the hub of the Perry family in his 2022 memoir Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing. He wrote that he had five younger siblings who never turned their backs on him. Mia called Matthew her main confidant, stating that they tried their best to take care of each other. She summarized their bond by saying he was her person, and she was his.

The documentary includes intimate moments from the actor's life told by his closest family members. It provides a look at his relationships and the support system he relied on during his final years. The film serves as a record of his life and the people who knew him best.