Age Is Her Advantage
On most legal shows, the older, wiser character is a judge, a mentor, or someone conveniently dead. In Matlock, Kathy Bates’s Madeline is the lead—and her age isn’t an obstacle, it’s a weapon.
She’s not trying to prove she belongs. She knows she does. And she’s not playing politics. She’s outsmarting it.
Challenging Ageism and Sexism in the Legal World—and On Screen
By placing a 70-something woman at the center of a fast-paced, high-stakes legal world, Matlock challenges both TV norms and real-world assumptions. The show doesn’t just give Madeline a seat at the table—it shows her flipping it over when necessary.
Colleagues underestimate her. Judges question her methods. But each episode is a reminder: experience matters. Empathy matters. And the system still has room for people who tell the truth, no matter how inconvenient it is.
A Quiet Revolution in Prime Time
CBS may have rebooted Matlock as a courtroom drama, but it’s fast becoming something more: a weekly argument for wisdom, patience, and character-driven storytelling. In a TV landscape dominated by youth and speed, Matlock dares to slow down—and speak up.
