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Matlock: Kathy Bates Stars in CBS's Legal Drama: Details on Cast, Trailer, and Plot
(L to R): Skye P Marshall as Olympia, Kathy Bates as Madeline Matlock, and Jason Ritter as Julian in the CBS original Matlock Photo Courtesy of CBS
The announcement that the premiere of the new Matlock series would be moved due to strike-related issues didn't dampen my excitement one bit. Instead, it offered the perfect opportunity to catch up on the original 1986 series. And yes, I know the new series is not seen as a reboot, but nostalgia is calling me anyway.
While I wait for the sneak peek episode to debut on Sunday, September 22, 2024, I have a chance to see the iconic TV duo Andy Taylor (Andy Griffith) and Barney Fife (Don Knotts) together in a few episodes of the original Matlock series. Who wouldn't jump on the opportunity to see them together again?
(Watch the trailer and see Kathy Bates and Carrie Preston discussing their shows in the interview below)
Emmy and Academy Award winner Kathy Bates stars as Madeline "Matty" Matlock in the new CBS Matlock series. A brilliant lawyer who is now a retired septuagenarian, Matty decides to return to the workforce and joins a prestigious law firm, where her unassuming demeanor and shrewd tactics lead to courtroom victories and the unmasking of corruption.
But the cast and showrunners have hinted that there is more to this story.
The new Matlock series will air on CBS on Thursdays at 9 PM starting in October. Viewers can catch a sneak peek episode on Sunday, September 22, 2024, at 8 PM ET before the official start of premiere week.
If you miss the sneak peek, there will be an encore of the first episode on Thursday, October 10. The series will transition to its regular time slot on October 17 and will be available live or on-demand on Paramount+.
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(L-R) Nicole de Boer as Carlin, Kathy Bates as Madeline Matlock, David Del Rio as Billy Martinez, and Leah Lewis as Sarah Yang in the CBS original Matlock Photo Courtesy of Brooke Palmer/CBS
Matty is paired with senior attorney Olympia, a justice-driven key rainmaker. Julian, Olympia’s ex-husband and the firm’s heir, becomes fascinated by Matty's cleverness. As Matty navigates this high-stakes environment, she collaborates with younger associates Billy and Sarah, both eager to make their mark.
The original Matlock series is alluded to in the trailer as a television show that exists within the new universe. Bates' character Madeline "Matty" Matlock shares the surname with the TV character Ben Matlock.
In a nod to the original series, Matty references it directly when introducing herself in the trailer: "I'm Madeline 'Matty' Matlock. I'm a lawyer. Yes, Matlock, like the old TV show." Perhaps we'll catch a glimpse of an episode from the original playing in the background.
(L to R): Kathy Bates as Madeline Matlock, Skye P Marshall as Olympia, Jason Ritter as Julian, David Del Rio as Billy, and Leah Lewis as Sarah in the CBS original Matlock Christos Kalohoridis/CBS
About the Cast & Crew
The courtroom drama, set to premiere during the 2024-2025 season on CBS and Paramount+, is written by Jane the Virgin creator Jennie Snyder Urman and directed by award-winning director and executive producer Kat Coiro, known for her work on The Spiderwick Chronicles, She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Daniel Willis, recognized for his contributions to The Blacklist and The Rookie, also joins as a director.
The talented ensemble cast is led by Kathy Bates and includes Skye P. Marshall (Chilling Adventures of Sabrina) as senior attorney Olympia, who is also Julian's ex-wife.
Jason Ritter (Captain Fall) plays Julian, the firm's heir, while David Del Rio (Maggie) takes on the role of Billy. Eme Ikwuakor (The Gray Man) portrays Elijah, and Leah Lewis (Nancy Drew) stars as Sarah. Additionally, Beau Bridges (The Fabulous Baker Boys) has been announced in a recurring role, portraying Senior, the firm’s managing partner and Julian’s father.
(L to R): David Del Rio, Leah Lewis, Jason Ritter, Kathy Bates, Skye P Marshall, Eme Ikwuakor, and Beau Bridges attend the CBS New Fall Schedule Celebration event to announce CBS' 2024-2025 primetime lineup at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles on May 2, 2024.-Photo Courtesy of Francis Specker-CBS
During a sit-down conversation between Kathy Bates and Carrie Preston, Bates explained that while the series is a procedural, it also has an overarching mystery.
"This is not just about a case being solved every week, you know, it's a whole 'nother layer," said Bates.
The iconic actor also expressed her excitement about the role, saying, "At my age, I didn't know that I would have an opportunity to do something like this, and I sort of had one foot out the door because I've played a lot of supporting roles over the years, and I got this script and I just was astounded."
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Andy Griffith as Ben Matlock in the 1986 TV Show Matlock
The Original Series
The original Matlock aired from 1986 to 1995, starring the legendary Andy Griffith as Ben Matlock, a savvy, folksy defense attorney known for his impeccable courtroom skills and sharp investigative abilities.
The series was beloved for its mix of legal drama and Griffith's charismatic portrayal of the titular character. Ben Matlock, a Harvard-educated lawyer, was known for his unassuming Southern charm, which he used to win over juries and expose the truth.
Set in Atlanta, Georgia, the series featured Matlock taking on various criminal cases, often involving complex mysteries and dramatic courtroom confrontations. Matlock's trademark gray suit and love for hot dogs became iconic elements of his character.
Over the years, the show saw numerous supporting characters, including Matlock's private investigator Tyler Hudson (Kene Holliday), and his daughter and law partner Charlene Matlock (Linda Purl).
Andy Griffith as Ben Matlock and Dick Van Dyke as Judge Carter Addison in the episode titled 'The Judge' in Matlock Image Courtesy of CBS
Episode Recommendation: For those new to the series or looking to revisit a classic episode, I recommend watching 'The Judge' from Season 1. In this episode, Judge Carter Addison murders his cheating mistress and frames her lover. Then the judge presides over the man's trial with Ben Matlock as the defense counsel. 'The Judge' brings together two iconic actors, Andy Griffith and Dick Van Dyke as Judge Addison.
CBS 2024-25
The new CBS 2024-25 schedule is packed with exciting procedural dramas, starting with the return of Tracker starring Justin Hartley, and the how-dunnit series Elsbeth, starring Carrie Preston.
(L to R): Justin Hartley as Colter Shaw in CBS Original Tracker and Carra Patterson as Officer Kaya and Carrie Preston as Elsbeth Tascioni in Elsbeth on CBS
Along with Matlock, the CBS new Fall season originals include NCIS: Origins, which marks the return of NCIS series star Mark Harmon, who will narrate the life of a young Leroy Jethro Gibbs, played by Austin Stowell.
Midseason will introduce the medical mystery Watson, starring Morris Chestnut as a modern version of Sherlock Holmes' partner Dr. John Watson.
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Justin Hartley of Tracker and Morris Chestnut of Watson-Casts from CBS shows 2024-2025 Schedule (Image Courtesy of Francis Specker_CBS)
I'm looking forward to seeing the star-studded ensemble cast in these upcoming TV shows. Having seen Kathy Bates' previous work, and after seeing her mischievous smile in the trailer, I'm especially excited about watching Matlock.
What are you looking forward to watching this Fall season? Let me know in the comments section below or on social media (links below).
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