CBS is betting big on talent and legacy with its upcoming legal drama Matlock, and at the center of it all is the powerhouse performance of Kathy Bates. Set to premiere in the 2025–2026 season, the reboot revives one of television’s most beloved courtroom series — and gives it a bold, modern voice.
A Courtroom Icon Reimagined
Bates stars as Madeline Matlock, a seasoned attorney who surprises everyone by re-entering the legal world and joining a high-profile law firm. Like the original Ben Matlock, she’s observant, tactical, and disarmingly witty — but Bates brings new layers to the role: resilience, world-weariness, and a strong moral compass forged from years of life experience.
What sets Matlock apart from other legal dramas isn’t just its familiar name. It’s the rare opportunity to see a woman over 70 take center stage in a network prime-time series — and not as a supporting character, but as the brilliant mind running the show.
Kathy Bates: A Perfect Fit
Few actors can command a scene like Kathy Bates. From her Oscar-winning turn in Misery to standout roles in American Horror Story and The Highwaymen, Bates brings a unique blend of sharpness and soul. That same blend will be crucial in Matlock, where Madeline must outmaneuver corporate legal games, internal firm politics, and generational clashes — all while staying grounded in her principles.
Her performance is expected to blend legal grit with personal wisdom, showing viewers that real strength doesn’t always come from being the loudest voice in the room — but often the calmest.
More Than a Reboot
With Matlock, CBS isn’t just reviving a franchise; it’s reshaping what lead characters can look like on network television. Supported by a dynamic younger cast and guided by showrunner Jennie Snyder Urman, the series is poised to balance legacy storytelling with fresh perspectives.
If early buzz is any indication, Kathy Bates’ Madeline Matlock won’t just be solving cases — she’ll be setting a new standard for what courtroom heroes can be in the 21st century.
