Charlie Sheen reveals why Martin Sheen refused Netflix documentary appearance

Charlie Sheen has opened up about why his father, actor Martin Sheen, chose not to appear in his new Netflix documentary series aka Charlie Sheen, revealing the thoughtful—and surprisingly self-aware—reason behind his decision.

The 60-year-old actor said his father felt the documentary did not require his participation, explaining that Martin believed Charlie already had the most compelling version of him on screen.

“Dad had such a specific reaction to it,” Charlie told The Hollywood Reporter. “He said, ‘You don’t need me. You don’t need the me of today. You’ve got the really interesting, handsome me. That’s how I want to be in the doc.’”

Charlie’s brother Emilio Estevez also declined to participate in the project, though the series still features several figures from the actor’s personal and professional life.

The Two and a Half Men star admitted that he was initially hesitant about the idea of a tell-all documentary altogether, saying earlier pitches never felt authentic or appealing to him.

“I had been approached a couple times, but it never actually got to an in-person meeting,” he said. “None of that spoke to me at all.”

However, Charlie said his perspective changed when he connected with director Andrew Renzi, whom he credited with approaching the story without sensationalism.

“I saw a guy that wasn’t interested in a lot of the [tabloid] crap,” he explained. “He was there to celebrate the good and be honest and thorough with the not-so-cool stuff.”

The documentary arrives as Charlie continues to reflect on his past, including his years on Two and a Half Men, which ended in 2011 following his public struggles with substance abuse and his departure from the series.

Charlie also recently expressed a desire to reconnect with former co-star Jon Cryer, with whom he worked for eight seasons on the hit sitcom. The two have not spoken in years.

“Every time this comes up, I say I’m going to [reach out], and I never do,” he said in an interview with PEOPLE. “Jon’s a lovely man and a very talented guy.”

Cryer, however, voiced caution about participating in the documentary, referencing what he described as a repeating cycle in Charlie Sheen’s public life—rising from setbacks before experiencing another downfall.

“I’m not here to build him up and I’m not here to tear him down,” Cryer said in the series. “But I sure hope this doesn’t go bad.”

The Netflix series aka Charlie Sheen explores the actor’s career highs and lows, featuring interviews with colleagues, friends, and critics of his long Hollywood journey.