Fresh Energy in a Classic Format
When CBS revived Matlock, fans were eager to see how the network would modernize the beloved courtroom drama. With Kathy Bates headlining as Madeline Matlock, expectations were high—but what has surprised many viewers is how much the show thrives thanks to its dynamic ensemble of supporting cast members.
Yes, Bates is the gravitational force, but orbiting around her are rising stars who inject the series with freshness, heart, and complexity. Matlock isn’t just a comeback for a franchise—it’s a launchpad for the next generation of talent.
Meet the New Legal Team
At the center of this new iteration is a multigenerational and multi-ethnic legal team that reflects both the diversity of the real world and the complexity of the legal profession. These characters aren’t assistants to a lead—they’re fully realized individuals with storylines, ambitions, and flaws.
Skye P. Marshall as Olympia
Perhaps the show’s emotional anchor beyond Matlock herself is Olympia, a junior partner played with quiet power by Skye P. Marshall. Olympia is disciplined, idealistic, and deeply committed to justice—but she’s also dealing with a complicated past that haunts her professional choices.
Marshall, who previously had strong but smaller roles in Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and Good Sam, steps into the spotlight here. Her chemistry with Bates is rich and layered. Their dynamic isn’t a mentor/mentee cliché. It’s two women, decades apart in age, grappling with justice in very different ways. Olympia’s scenes often carry the show’s emotional load, and Marshall delivers with restraint and power.
Jason Ritter as Julian
Jason Ritter’s Julian adds levity, but not without soul. The character is a quirky, good-natured legal researcher with a mind for chaos and an instinct for empathy. Ritter—son of the late comedy legend John Ritter—has always had comedic chops, but Matlock allows him to bring dramatic weight to his role as well.
Julian’s interactions with both clients and colleagues reveal someone who’s both deeply insecure and surprisingly insightful. He’s the heart of the team in many ways, and Ritter’s performance proves he’s more than just a charming face—he’s an actor capable of anchoring complex material.
David Del Rio as Billy
Then there’s Billy, the youngest and most understated member of the team, played by David Del Rio. Billy is quiet, observant, and more often in the background—but when he speaks, it matters. His character provides a crucial bridge between the firm’s high ideals and the harsh realities of their clients’ lives.
Del Rio, a standout from Grease Live! and The Baker and the Beauty, brings a groundedness that keeps the show honest. He doesn’t overact; instead, he lets stillness speak volumes. In courtroom scenes, his presence feels authentic—an advocate who listens before he moves.
Real Stories, Real Stakes
Unlike some procedurals that flatten supporting characters into sidekicks, Matlock gives this ensemble room to breathe. Subplots aren’t distractions—they’re narrative layers. Olympia struggles with the consequences of a wrongful prosecution she once pursued. Julian questions his role in the firm after a personal conflict. Billy grapples with the death of a former client whose appeal never came through.
Each storyline isn’t just filler between cases. It’s about how the system they work in changes them—and whether they can stay true to themselves within it.
Representation That Matters
One of the strongest elements of the new Matlock is its deliberate attention to casting actors from diverse backgrounds—and giving them meaningful stories. This isn’t diversity for optics. It’s baked into the show’s DNA.
In one episode, a case involving a wrongly accused Black teenager leads to a deeply personal confrontation between Olympia and a judge with a history of implicit bias. It’s uncomfortable, honest, and not tied up in a neat bow. But it’s emblematic of what the show is trying to do: reflect reality with all its messiness.
An Ensemble Worth Watching
As viewers tune in week after week, many have noted the show’s true strength isn’t just its headliner. It’s the cast as a whole. On fan forums and social media, audiences have praised the chemistry and individual growth of the ensemble. Some are even calling for spin-offs or deeper arcs for Julian and Olympia.
CBS seems to have noticed. Rumors suggest that the writers are developing standalone arcs in upcoming episodes, and a midseason spotlight episode will reportedly center entirely on Billy—delving into his past as a public defender and his moral reckoning with a former case.
A Future Built on Talent
As Matlock builds its audience, it’s clear that these emerging stars are poised for bigger things. They’re not just playing second fiddle to a screen legend—they’re carving out space of their own.
Shows like this don’t just entertain. They introduce. They elevate. They remind audiences that the future of television is already here—if you know where to look.
