Kathy Bates Is Bringing Back The Best Legal Drama
Kathy Bates will star in a new version of the legal drama Matlock.
There is simply no denying that Kathy Bates is a national treasure. From Misery to Titanic and even American Horror Story, it’s no wonder why fans of the Marvel Universe are clamoring for the Academy Award-winning actress to join the fold. And now, according to Deadline, Kathy Bates will be bringing back an old classic with a new twist in a freshly ordered CBS pilot for a Matlock reboot.
Kathy Bates will star as the titular lawyer, Madeline Matlock, who is returning to the office after stepping out for retirement. While she pieces her cases together, she’ll also be a justice-seeking watchdog, keeping a stern and curious eye on those working around her to uncover and snuff out any corruption. The series is of course inspired by the long-running hit crime drama of the same name that starred Andy Griffith.
While other casting additions haven’t been announced at this time, Deadline’s source reveals that Kathy Bates’ character will somehow be tied to the original Matlock in one way or another. The new series will be penned by Jennie Snyder Urman. Urman has long held down a career in Hollywood, previously backing productions including Gilmore Girls and Charmed, as well as serving as the creator of Jane the Virgin.
For Kathy Bates, Matlock will mark a major television return for the actress. In the past, she held down roles in celebrated classics like The Office and Harry’s Law before moving on to Ryan Murphy’s projects American Horror Story and Feud: Bette and Joan. In American Horror Story, Bates would find a solid home for several seasons in Murphy’s spooky anthology series that also boasted a cast list that included Jessica Lange, Angela Bassett, and Emma Roberts.
While she was a fan-favorite addition to the call sheet at American Horror Story, Bates’ last part in the series was back in 2018 in American Horror Story: Apocalypse. That would also be her last time appearing in a televised production, making Kathy Bates’ casting in Matlock all the more exciting. The even better news is that fans of The Waterboy actress will have more chances to see her, as Bates will be coming back in a major way over the next few years.
Kathy Bates won’t just be taking over the small screen in Matlock, as the actress has quite a few projects up her sleeves. After having been gone from theaters since 2020’s Home, Bates will soon be taking on a major part in the film adaptation of Judy Blume’s classic coming-of-age tale, Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. In it, she’ll play the titular teen’s grandmother alongside a cast that also includes Rachel McAdams, Benny Safdie, and Abby Ryder Fortson.
She’ll also be seen opposite Nicole Kidman, Zac Efron, Liza Koshy, and Joey King in a Richard LaGraveness-helmed rom-com titled A Family Affair which will land on Netflix next fall. Finally, she’s set to join a legendary lineup in Thaddeus O’Sullivan’s drama The Miracle Club with Maggie Smith and Laura Linney. So, while we may have a bit of waiting to do before we see Kathy Bates tackle her first case in Matlock, we can rest easy knowing that the queen is on her way back to grace us on both the big and small screen.
