Kathy Bates is no stranger to complicated, emotionally rich characters. From her Oscar-winning portrayal of Annie Wilkes in Misery to her recent turn as Madeline Matlock in CBS’s reboot of Matlock, she’s continuously reinvented what it means to command a screen. But this time, it’s not just about the courtroom wins—it’s about the grief, age, wit, and wisdom that define a woman at a crossroads.
Bates has called Matlock one of the most fulfilling roles of her later career, and it shows. The series may carry the name of a well-known legacy character, but the reboot does more than dust off a classic; it breathes it back to life with layered storytelling and sharp social commentary.
“She’s the Smartest Person in the Room—And She Knows It”
In interviews, Bates speaks with a kind of reverence for Madeline Matlock, a retired attorney who returns to law under the guise of a legal consultant. Unlike Ben Matlock’s Southern charm, Madeline’s intellect and dry humor come laced with personal scars, most notably the loss of her daughter to the opioid crisis—a storyline that resonates with Bates on a deeply personal level. “It speaks to my soul as a human being,” she’s said.
The show doesn’t shy away from tough topics, and neither does Bates. She’s been open about her own health struggles, including surviving ovarian and breast cancer, and says those experiences helped her shape Madeline’s resilience. “There’s something liberating about playing a woman who has lost a lot, but still shows up every day to fight for justice,” Bates shared.
Behind the Scenes: A Cast That Clicks
Working alongside actors like Jason Ritter and Leah Lewis, Bates has found what she calls “a second family.” The cast has praised her mentorship on set, often sharing how she balances gravitas with laughter. Ritter recently mentioned how Bates would often deliver a dramatic scene and then immediately lighten the mood by cracking a joke or making a sly reference to Fried Green Tomatoes.
“She brings out the best in us,” Lewis said. “You feel like you have to rise to her level, because she makes you believe you can.”
More Than Nostalgia
Though Matlock borrows from its roots—down to the clever courtroom reveals—it isn’t just playing to fans of the original. The series leans into its current-day setting, with plotlines exploring corruption, institutional failure, and grief. It’s drama with intention, and Bates makes sure every scene counts.
As CBS moves forward with a second season, Matlock has proven it’s not just a reboot. It’s a reinvention. And at its center is Kathy Bates, reminding audiences—and maybe even Hollywood—that stories about older women don’t have to fade into the background. They can lead the charge.
