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Are we in store for more “Emmy sweepers?”

With more than 25,000 voting members, the Television Academy is made up of 31 peer groups, each representing a specific field of expertise — actors, writers, editors, and so on. Of the many categories, only 15 are voted on by the entire membership. These include outstanding comedy, drama, limited or anthology series, television movie, talk series, variety special (live and pre-recorded), short form, hosted nonfiction series, structured and unstructured reality, reality competition, scripted variety and game show.

Unlike the Oscars, which allow all eligible members to vote in the final round, the Emmys restrict both nomination and winner selection to designated peer groups. That exclusivity shapes the voting landscape — and it explains the rise of a modern phenomenon: the Emmy sweep.

Only once before 2020 had a series ever won all seven major categories: HBO’s “Angels in America” in 2004. Then came the Covid-era stunner: Pop TV’s “Schitt’s Creek,...

For decades, Kathy Bates has been both celebrated and underrated. When she won an Oscar for her fearsome performance in Rob Reiner’s 1990 Stephen King adaptation of “Misery,” she was greeted as a newcomer, even though she had made her film debut nearly 20 years earlier in Miloš Forman’s “Taking Off.” Her career since then has included Oscar noms for “Primary Colors,” “About Schmidt” and “Richard Jewell,” 14 Emmy nominations and two wins for “Two and a Half Men”and “American Horror Story: Coven,” and a varied resume that boasts both dramas like “Dolores Claiborne” and “Titanic” and comedies like “The Waterboy.”

Bates’ latest role is the title character in Jennie Snyder Urman’s “Matlock,” which borrows its name from the Andy Griffith legal drama from the 1980s and ’90s but knowingly subverts it in the process: Bates’ Madeline Kingston, aka Matty Matlock, solves cases just as Griffith’s Matlock had done,...

On June 5, the IndieWire Honors Spring 2025 ceremony will celebrate the creators and stars responsible for some of the most impressive and engaging work of this TV season. Curated and selected by IndieWire’s editorial team, IndieWire Honors is a celebration of the creators, artisans, and performers behind television well worth toasting. We’re showcasing their work with new interviews leading up to the Los Angeles event.

A studied actor celebrating her biggest TV role ever at age 76, Kathy Bates recruited some legendary help to get ready for “Matlock.” In 1992, the year after she won her Academy Award for “Misery,” Bates presented Anthony Hopkins with his Oscar for “Silence of the Lambs.”

The pair caught up in 2021 when Hopkins won Best Actor again for “The Father.” Both killers of the silver screen, Hannibal Lecter and Annie Wilkes were keen to talk shop — an honor Bates extended to IndieWire as our 2025 Vanguard award winner.

CBS's modern take on Matlock was the breakout hit of the season for the network, thanks in part to casting Kathy Bates in a role that's much deeper than just a gender swap of Andy Griffith's classic attorney. Matty Matlock, aka Madeline Kingston, spends Season 1 seeking truth and justice for her daughter, who died as a result of the opioid epidemic. Viewers follow her as she makes friends and seeks clues among those in the law firm Jacobson Moore in hopes of finding who hid the critical evidence against the pharmaceutical company Wellbrexa that could've saved her daughter's life. Between this, however, is a case-of-the-week formula for Matty and the team that hearkens back to the show's predecessor. According to Skye P. Marshall, that element isn't going anywhere either as the show changes focus in Season 2.

Speaking to TV Insider alongside her co-star Jason Ritter, Marshall opened up...

It's official — Matlock is a certified hit. The CBS legal drama starring Oscar winner Kathy Bates is TV's top new show — drawing an average of 17 million viewers across the broadcast network and Paramount+ in the Live+35 ratings category, according to Nielsen. It's also the No. 2 series overall behind CBS' Tracker starring Justin Hartley.

The twisted two-hour season finale on April 17 delivered 5.6 million viewers and was the night’s number one primetime program — a consistent spot for the freshman series that has dominated its competitive 9 p.m. time slot. In broadcast alone, Matlock delivers 9.67 million viewers with live plus seven-day ratings, up 53 percent in its time period from last year.

See 'Matlock's' Skye P. Marshall on manifesting her dream job: 'You have to be delusional to succeed in this industry'

Bates stars as Madeline "Matty" Matlock, a widowed lawyer returning to the workforce after her late husband's gambling debts leave her...

Editor's Note: This article contains spoilers for the Season 1 finale of Matlock.

At long last, Matlock is providing the answer viewers have been waiting for. Season 1 of CBS's smash-hit reimagining of the Andy Griffith classic has followed Matty Matlock (Kathy Bates), aka Madeline Kingston, as she navigates the ins and outs of Jacobson Moore to find out who within the law firm hid the evidence in a high-profile pharmaceutical case during the opioid epidemic that could've saved her daughter's life. Suspicions have pointed towards Beau Bridges's managing partner, Senior, as the show unfolded, as well as his son Julian (Jason Ritter), who had a mountain of evidence stacking against him by the show's penultimate episode. The finale finally unveils the truth, and according to star Skye P. Marshall, the cast was right there with the audience, trying to piece everything together until the end.

In an interview with...

Skye P. Marshall knows how to manifest her dreams. Long before landing her breakout role in Matlock, she had created a vision board with one very specific goal: "CBS procedural drama." How is that for accuracy?

"It is a vision board come true," Marshall tells Gold Derby (watch the video interview above). After serving in the U.S. Air Force and then working a corporate job in New York, Marshall decided to pursue acting at age 28. It took more than 10 years for her to land this dream job on Matlock, but Marshall quickly corrects any misconception that she struggled in Hollywood. "I didn’t have any struggles," she asserts. "Because I accept it for what it is. You have to be delusional to succeed in this industry. The second you start being realistic, your expectations of how the industry is supposed to respond to you become your struggle."

"We are artists,...

At long last, Madeline "Matty" Matlock (Kathy Bates) is close to getting justice for her daughter, but at what cost? Matlock Season 1's penultimate episode finally saw Olympia (Skye P. Marshall) uncover all of Matty's lies, shattering her trust in a person she had slowly come to see as a friend. It was an inevitable, yet painful reveal that reminds viewers that they're still following the story of a con artist who was never going to be able to expose the person who hid the Wellbrexa evidence at Jacobson Moore without causing some collateral damage. Her friendship with Olympia, forged through working cases, has only complicated matters, and, according to the pair and series creator Jennie Snyder Urman, the fallout of Matty's reveal will be felt throughout the supersized finale.

Bates, Marshall, and Urman all sat down with TV Insider recently to give a preview of what to expect from the two-hour Season 1 finale.

The following contains spoilers for the April 10 episode of CBS’ Matlock.

“The truth will set you free,” the saying goes. But did owning up to her litany of lies, misleads and sins of omission put “Matty Matlock” aka Madeline Kingston in Olympia Lawrence good-ish graces?

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Ahead of...

[This story contains spoilers from the April 3 episode of Matlock, “The Johnson Case.”]

Nothing in the pilot that launched the CBS hit show Matlock starring Oscar winner Kathy Bates hinted that the friendship between cunning and wily 76-year-old Madeline “Matty” Matlock, a lawyer with a lot of fight still left in her tank, and the partner-tracked, soon-to-be divorcee mother of young twins Olympia Lawrence would become one of the most compelling elements of the show. But that’s exactly where things are as Matlock prepares to wrap its first season. Now, the audience stake in that relationship hit like a boulder as Olympia confronted Matty at the end of the third to last episode.

“So, who the hell are you, Madeline Matlock?” Olympia (Skye P. Marshall) grilled, as Matty stepped off the bus she regularly takes from cushy Jacobson Moore before meeting her driver and sinking into the back of a limo on her way to her mansion — not a cramped apartment in...

[Warning: The following contains Major spoilers for Matlock Season 1 Episode 16, “The Johnson Case.”] Not so fast, Matty Matlock, if that’s even your real name. Olympia (Skye P. Marshall) caught on to Matty’s (Kathy Bates) schemes in a bombshell ending of the Thursday, April 3, episode of Matlock, setting up high-stakes conflict heading into Season 1’s final stretch. While Matty got put in the hot seat, Edwin (Sam Anderson) made a key discovery that seemingly proved Olympia’s innocence in their Wellbrexa investigation. Now Matty’s the one being investigated heading into next week’s penultimate episode on April 10, followed by the two-part finale on April 17. “The Johnson Case” proved that Olympia really is Matty’s blindspot, just not in the way she and Edwin feared. Matty was so preoccupied with blackmailing the Redditor — Jacobson Moore’s very own Mrs. Belvin (Patricia Belcher) — that she didn’t realize Olympia was secretly investigating her own suspicions about Matty.

The following recap contains spoilers from the April 3 episode of CBS’ Matlock.

With four three episodes left to air (over the next two weeks, including a two-hour season finale on April 17), it looks like “Matty Matlock” is about to get busted by her bestie boss.

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This week’s episode ostensibly was about Matty (using a scary voice modulator) nudging Mrs.

We knew it was coming. It’s not as if Matlock has been subtle about how many close calls Matty has had. Eventually, her luck was going to run out.

It’s just crazy to think that the jig might be up after all of Matty, Edwin, and Alfie’s hard work. Don’t tell me Matty kidnapping a dog was all for nothing.

However, is anyone else concerned about how far Miss Matty Matlock is willing to go? She had a good grasp of things in the beginning, but the plan has clearly spiraled.

(Sonja Flemming/CBS)

Then again, it’s very easy for details to fall through the cracks. For instance, it did not register in my head that the Welbrexa case happened so long ago. Fourteen years, to be specific.

Matty’s Constant Questioning of Everyone’s Speed to Do the Right Thing Was a Lot More...

It’s been a bumpy and exciting premiere season of Matlock. However, the way the story has stacked one event on top of another has led some viewers to wonder if Matty is the series’ real villain.

Let’s be honest about Matty’s activities and the lengths she’s gone to seek “justice.”

There is a fine line between protecting the innocent and punishing the guilty, and last time I checked, Madeline Matlock is a lawyer and not a judge.

(Sonja Flemming/CBS)

At the show’s start, viewers had no side to choose other than Madeline Kingston’s as she went undercover at Jacobson Moore. Since then, things have gone from bad to worse.

Matty’s Mission Should Be Bringing Her Family Peace and Not That Endless Stress and Mayhem That It Has Been

Listen, I am as much of a fan of this series as any other boob tube-watching Thespian,...

On Thursday February 27 2025, CBS broadcasts Matlock!

Pregame Season 1 Episode 13 Episode Summary

The upcoming episode of “Matlock,” titled “Pregame,” promises to be an exciting addition to the series. In this episode, viewers will see the brilliant septuagenarian Madeline “Matty” Matlock as she takes a bold step back into the workforce. After spending time away from the legal world, Matty decides to rejoin a prestigious law firm, bringing her unique skills and sharp mind with her.

Matty’s unassuming demeanor often hides her clever tactics. As she navigates the complexities of the law firm, she uses her experience and wit to tackle challenging cases. The episode will showcase her ability to expose corruption lurking within the firm, proving that age does not diminish her sharpness or determination.

Fans of the show can expect a mix of clever dialogue, intriguing legal battles, and unexpected twists. Matty’s journey back into the legal arena...

In the upcoming episode of “Matlock,” titled “Pregame,” viewers will see the brilliant septuagenarian Madeline “Matty” Matlock stepping back into the bustling world of a prestigious law firm. This episode, airing on February 27, 2025, at 9:01 Pm on CBS, promises to showcase Matty’s unique approach to the legal system. With her unassuming demeanor and clever tactics, she brings a fresh perspective to the firm, challenging the status quo.

As Matty navigates the complexities of her new workplace, she quickly realizes that not everything is as it seems. Corruption lurks beneath the polished surface of the law firm, and Matty’s instincts kick in. She uses her wit and experience to uncover the truth, proving that age is just a number when it comes to outsmarting those who think they are above the law.

This episode is sure to be filled with suspense and clever twists as Matty takes on new challenges.

The creator of the 2024 Matlocktelevision reboot recently teased big problems for the show's protagonist in upcoming episodes. The first season is currently airing on CBS.

Jennie Snyder Urman spoke with The Hollywood Reporter about the first half of Matlock's debut season, as well as what's in store for Matty Matlock (Kathy Bates) as the second half begins. according to Urman, one of the key sources of conflict for Matty going forward will be the character of Shae Banfield (Jane the Virgin's Yael Grobglas). "Shae is a constant thorn in Matty’s side. Certainly, somebody who is trained to sniff out the truth is always going to provide a lot of jeopardy for Matty."

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Kathy Bates, the Oscar-winning actress of Misery, has been at her best in Matlock. Defying Hollywood ageism, Bates plays a 75-year-old lawyer who has returned back to the workplace. But all is not what it seems as the wily Matty Matlock, “like the old TV show,” has hidden her real identity as Madeline Kingston to infiltrate Jacobson Moore, the law firm that represented the pharmaceutical firm she blames for her daughter’s fatal opioid overdose.

During the first half of the show — which debuted back in late September, but got really going in mid-October and earned a speedy season two renewal — Matty’s subterfuge as an older woman left impoverished and slightly bitter by her no-good dead husband forced back to work to support her teenage grandson, despite being quite wealthy and happily married, looked like it could blow up at any time.

Her mission to find out who was...

On Thursday February 6 2025, CBS broadcasts Matlock!

Crash Helmets On Season 1 Episode 10 Episode Summary

The upcoming episode of “Matlock,” titled “Crash Helmets On,” promises to deliver another engaging story featuring the brilliant septuagenarian, Madeline “Matty” Matlock. This episode will air on CBS and highlights Matty’s return to the workforce at a prestigious law firm. Known for her unassuming demeanor and clever tactics, Matty is ready to tackle new challenges and uncover hidden corruption within the legal world.

In “Crash Helmets On,” viewers will see Matty navigate the complexities of her new environment. Her sharp mind and experience will play a crucial role as she takes on cases that reveal the darker side of the law firm. With her unique approach, Matty aims to expose wrongdoing while also proving that age does not diminish one’s ability to fight for justice.

The episode is expected to showcase Matty’s interactions with her colleagues,...

[Editor’s note: The following interview contains spoilers for “Matlock” Season 1, Episode 9.]

Tension continues to mount between the on-again-off-again Julian Markston and Olympia Lawrence in CBS’s “Matlock” — but to hear Skye P. Marshall tell it, she and co-star Jason Ritter have it easy.

“I had chemistry reads with five different actors for Julian,” Marshall told IndieWire. “And I was blown away by how Jason is such an incredible active listener. If I would change the tone or the pace, he just went with me like a perfect wave.”

In Episode 9, Olympia’s maybe too-truthful ex-husband confirmed he had an affair with jury consultant Shae Banfield (Yael Groblas) when their marriage was on the rocks. They’d just rekindled, but with both Julian and Olympia up for partner at Jacobson & Moore, “Matlock” used its winter premiere to set up an ultimatum. When the board chooses, whoever isn’t promoted will have to leave the firm.

“And boy, does that cause quite the dilemma,...

Skye P. Marshall isn’t religious, but she does believe in magic. You’d have to have some faith in a higher power after the few years she’s had. For the “Matlock” actress, 2020 and beyond has been a veritable hot streak of impeccable timing, great luck, and classic Hollywood fairytale. Few TV actors experience such good fortune, especially these days — but Marshall’s breakout role on CBS’s buzzy legal drama didn’t happen overnight.

“I didn’t have the courage to ask for what I wanted to do with the rest of my adult life until I was 27,” Marshall told IndieWire, looking back on the decade since she moved from New York to California. “Everyone thought I was crazy. They were like, ‘Do you have an agent?’ ‘No.’ ‘Any formal training?’ ‘Not really.’ ‘You have friends in LA though, right?’ ‘No, I do not.’ It was a cocktail...

Matlock star Skye P. Marshall teases the show's most pivotal episode, offering a season 2 hint. Known for her past roles in Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and the CW superhero series Black Lightning, Marshall plays Olympia Lawrence in the Matlock reboot cast. So far in the CBS legal dramedy, Olympia has gradually gotten closer to Matty Matlock (Kathy Bates). But she doesn't know the big secret that Matty is hiding.

In recent comments to TVLine, Marshall teases that the “craziest” episode of the season will be episode 17, which is the penultimate episode. In the quote below, the actor talks about how the episode sets up season 2 and will leave the viewers questioning how the show will follow-up such a major development. Marshall's quote is below:

“When you see the last two episodes, you’re going to wonder, ‘What are they going to do with Season 2 now?’ And I’m really excited about that.

Kathy Bates’ new show, Matlock, is such a hit that it is coming back for a second season, so fans were anxious when new episodes stopped for a bit.

The new show isn’t a reboot of the original Matlock; instead, it is a new vehicle that pays homage to Ben Matlock’s character, whom so many know and love.

Kathy Bates plays the intriguing Madeline Matlock and includes a star-studded cast with Skye P. Marshall, Kathy Bates, David Del Rio, and Leah Lewis.

Monsters and Critics reported that Matlock was taking a brief hiatus as the Thanksgiving holiday approached to warn fans when to expect a new episode.

Now, CBS is showing a new trailer for Matlock, and it seems that Kathy’s character, Madeline (Matty) Matlock, is called a “shark” for her fierce actions on a case.

For those who have yet to watch all episodes since the premiere,...

Matty Matlock’s foray into the cutthroat world of Big Pharma gets a personal twist in “Belly of the Beast.” This week, Matlock (Kathy Bates) and Julian (Jason Ritter) take on a case representing a young woman experiencing debilitating side effects from a clinical trial, a storyline seemingly ripped from countless pharmaceutical lawsuits. Will Matty’s folksy […]

Matlock “Belly of the Beast”...

The Matlock gender-flipped sequel series on CBS has quickly become a hit for the network, which led to the show earning a Season 2 renewal after only airing two episodes. Not acting as a reboot and existing in the same universe as the original Matlock series, on top of a clever twist revealed at the end of the first episode, has enticed both critics and viewers and no one is happier than its star, Kathy Bates. The Oscar-winning actress was considering hanging up her acting cap before the role of Madeline Kingston/Madeline "Matty" Matlock came along because she thought her career was slowly coming to an end. But Matlock and now its renewal has made the actress grateful for this next act in her career.

During a chat with Newsweek, Bates got candid about her reaction to the renewal announcement, noting that the series saved her during a very uncertain time in her career.

Well, it was bound to happen sooner or later — an older gentleman took a shine to the widow Matty Matlock.

In this week’s episode of CBS’ already-renewed Matlock, Olympia took on the case of a widower, Robert, whose wife Sandy died years ago of legionella — and they hold their apartment building’s owner at fault.

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Robert (played by John Billingsley) is an “eccentric” and “anxious” artist,...

These days, fans are familiar with seeing reboots of successful old series. Even shows that fans hold sacred have been plucked from the dusty shadows to see new life.

The Matlock approach turned out to be a very different way of handling a series that has been done before — a show that we might file under legendary status.

Understandably, most fans were skeptical, maybe even protective, when they heard the news that CBS was rebooting a classic.

(Courtesy of CBS Studios)

Is nothing sacred?

In the last decade, we’ve seen more reboots, spinoffs, and book-to-film adaptations than unique original works. Where did the creativity go?

Most reboots don’t fare well. Look at Magnum, P.I., Hawaii Five-o, Saved by the Bell, and the similarly mystery-themed Perry Mason.

Where Did the Monsters Go? How Serialized TV Killed the Monster of the Weekby Lisa Babick Bring Back the Grit: Why...

CBS' unorthodox reboot of Matlock has charmed in its first season thus far, and the Kathy Bates-led legal procedural has earned a season 2 renewal. Based on the 1980s series of the same name, the modern reboot follows a septuagenarian lawyer named Matty Matlock (Bates) who returns to the world of law and uses her unassuming status to get to the bottom of her cases. Though the series features the same procedural structure as its predecessor, it has the added wrinkle of exploring Matty's mysterious backstory that involves a case from her past.

Though reboots of classic shows are nothing new the new Matlock is a truly original take because it adds an unprecedented wrinkle. In the Kathy Bates version, Andy Griffith's '80s Matlock exists in-universe as a TV show, and it's only a coincidence that the lead characters share a name. This frees the reboot from the original's canon,...

Kathy Bates as “Madeline Matlock”. Photo: Sonja Flemming/CBS ©2024 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Hey, if CBS can remake The Equalizer and recast the lead as a female, why not reboot Matlock with Kathy Bates as the title character? That’s exactly what they’ve done, with Bates taking on the role of lawyer “Matty Matlock,” who, like the original Andy Griffith character, has a knack for solving legal mysteries with flair and panache. Without giving too much of the premise away, however, there’s more to Bates’s character than meets the eye, and she’s putting on performances for everyone around her, whether it’s the partners she’s working with or the suspects and witnesses she’s grilling in her quest to solve the case. Cloaked in those performances is a lot of deception, and it would be difficult for a lot of actors to keep their stories straight.

CBS is interested in more cases to be solved by Madeline "Matty" Matlock and her colleagues at Jacobson & Moore. After garnering solid viewership for the network since its premiere and strong critical reviews, CBS has decided that Kathy Bates will be back for more Matlock, which will return for the 2025-2026 broadcast season.

Per Deadline, Matlock has been renewed for a second season, becoming one of the first official renewals of the current television season. The news isn't surprising given how well Matlock has been received since its premiere episode. After giving viewers a sneak peek of the show on Sept. 22, the episode pulled in a stellar 7.73 million viewers, making it CBS' biggest audience for a non-post-Super Bowl series premiere in five and a half years. That is pretty impressive given the current state of network TV and the growing difficulty in producing a hit following the continued emergence of cable TV and streaming.

Kathy Bates will be returning to “Matlock.” CBS renewed the drama starring the legendary actor for a second season after airing only two episodes.

It’s not surprising that CBS would be eager to renew this particular series. The gender-swapped revival of the classic drama starring Andy Griffith debuted a sneak peek in September. That first episode was CBS’ best non-Super Bowl premiere in over five years, securing 7.7 million viewers. The audience grew to 10.67 million viewers within three days of multiplatform viewing. In addition to being widely watched, the series has also proven to be a critical success and currently holds a coveted “Certified Fresh” 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

“This re-conceived ‘Matlock’ was devised by Jennie Snyder Urman with a brilliant surprise plot twist, and we knew we had something very special the moment we saw the first episode brought to life by the incredibly talented Kathy Bates,” Amy Reisenbach,...

The excitement builds as “Matlock” returns for Season 1 Episode 3, titled “A Guy Named Greg.” This episode promises to showcase the sharp wit and clever strategies of Madeline “Matty” Matlock, a brilliant septuagenarian who has decided to re-enter the legal world. Matty’s return to a prestigious law firm is not just about nostalgia; it’s about bringing her unique approach to justice back into play.

In this episode, Matty faces a complex case that revolves around a character named Greg. As she navigates the intricate web of legal challenges, viewers will see her unassuming demeanor play a crucial role. Matty’s tactics are anything but conventional, and her ability to expose corruption from within the firm adds layers of intrigue to the storyline. Each moment is filled with suspense as Matty uses her experience and intelligence to uncover the truth.

Scheduled to air at 9:01 Pm on Thursday, October 24, 2024, on CBS,...

The good news is — fall is here, and TV is finally back!

But the bad news is that a terrible brain parasite seems to have infected the network execs in charge of scheduling this year’s new shows.

Okay, that might be a little harsh, but something weird is going on here, and we intend to get to the bottom of it!

(Photograph by Macall Polay/HBO)

The trouble started last week when the pilot episode of The Penguin completely knocked our socks off.

(Sorry for the poor choice of words. The less said about the scene where Colin Farrel removes his socks, the better.)

Now, as a TV site that seeks to promote discussion — and as fans who love to see a show flourish via word of mouth — we’re generally opposed to the Netflix/Hulu habit of releasing entire seasons all at once.

That said, we were more...

[Editor’s note: This story contains spoilers for the first episode of CBS‘s “Matlock.”]

Viewers who tuned in to the September 22 premiere of “Matlock” on CBS got a shocker of a twist at the end of the first episode: Matty Matlock (played by Kathy Bates) is not quite the broke, chatty older woman she seems to be upon talking her way into a job at a prestigious Manhattan law firm. In fact, Matty is Madeline Kingston, who lives in a fabulous mansion with her husband and grandson.

Turns out, Madeline is undercover as the harmless Matty to find out who among the senior partners might have hidden documents that could have ended the opioid epidemic a decade earlier and saved hundreds of lives — including that of her daughter. And that makes Bates’ performance a little bit of a matroskya doll, one that necessitates two different makeup designs.

“So there’s Madeline Kingston, and there’s Matty Matlock,” Bates’ makeup designer Kim Greene told IndieWire.

Spoiler Alert! This story contains details about the premiere episode of Matlock on CBS.

Viewers expecting a simple gender-swapped version of the classic TV show starring Andy Griffith were treated with an unexpected twist at the end of the episode.

Instead of seeing the sweet little old Madeline “Matty” Matlock go home to her modest house and cat, we find out that this brilliant, 60-something lawyer is actually on a secret mission to bust up the law firm that could have prevented opioids from killing so many people

Matty’s targets are Olympia (Skye P. Marshall), a senior attorney and key rainmaker with a thirst for justice; Olympia’s ex-husband/attorney Julian (Jason Ritter), and his father Julian Sr. (Beau Bridges), who heads the firm that Matty wants to destroy.

Here, creator and showrunner Jennie Snyder Urman explains...

“Matlock” is not exactly the hottest piece of IP of 2024. The original series premiered in 1986 and starred Andy Griffith as an older widowed criminal defense lawyer who caught people off guard with his down-home country vibes before, destroying them on the stand and charging a boatload of money.

In that sense, the new “Matlock” — from “Jane the Virgin” creator Jennie Snyder Urman — is very much a classic gender-swapped reboot of old “Matlock.” Kathy Bates plays a 75 year-old widow named Madeline “Matty” Matlock who returns to the world of law after decades away. She has to get used to how things have changed since she was last a practicing lawyer, and an entire law firm has to get used to her quirky old lady ways, which hide a sharp and unexpectedly brilliant mind.

In another sense, this new “Matlock” is not a reboot at all. The original “Matlock” exists as a...

Matlock (1986-1995) featured the late great Andy Griffith as attorney Ben Matlock, who solved cases and caught perpetrators in a charming, unassuming, and disarming way.

It was one of the most popular shows of the period and is still enjoyed by many in reruns and on streaming apps today, which is why the Matlock reboot has been much anticipated.

This new CBS crime drama based on it features the following season 1 cast members and characters.

Madeline "Matty" Matlock (Kathy Bates)

Attorney Matty Matlock seemingly shares only a profession and a last name with Griffith's Ben Matlock character.

A trailer released by CBS shows Matty talking about the first Matlock series and referring to it as an old TV show, indicating that the original is a fictional show in this new Matlock series' universe.

Related: Matlock Season 1: Everything We Know So Far

Even so, Matty shares certain other traits with Ben,...