Matlock, The Most Recognizable Grandparents Show Of All Time, Is Actually Rebooting Right Now
The last decade could easily be dubbed “The Years of Reboots” as just about every title under the sun has been rolling in full rebooted glory. The latest classic to be on the receiving end of a glow-up is CBS’ classic series, Matlock, with Kathy Bates stepping into the role of the titular lawyer, Madeline “Matty” Matlock. While new information surrounding the project has been a bit tough to come by, Beau Bridges, who was recently announced to be joining the production in a recurring capacity, has spilled some tea on how things are chugging along.
Beau Bridges
Bridges, who is just as legendary as the title itself, having been the recipient of Emmys, Golden Globes, and even a Grammy, said that cameras are up and rolling at the Paramount Studios lot in Los Angeles. He’s already been to set and teases that Kathy Bates was destined for the leading role in the Matlock reboot, praising her “funny” and “great” performance. With filming underway, we can presume that things are still on track for the title to make its debut later this year.
The New Matlock
In Matlock, Kathy Bates stars as Madeline “Matty” Matlock, a woman who comes out of retirement to throw herself back into action as a lawyer – a career path that she dominated in her younger years. She’ll be working under the firm’s senior attorney, Olympia (Skye P. Marshall), another woman dedicated to the justice system and on her way to achieving big things. Meanwhile, there’s Olympia’s ex-husband, Julian (Jason Ritter), the son of the firm’s leader (Bridges), who finds himself especially drawn to Matty for her exceptional wit and finesse in handling cases.
The Original Matlock
The series is a reimagining of the 1980s and ‘90s legal drama of the same name in which the legendary Andy Griffith starred as the titular Ben Matlock. First premiering on NBC, the series would eventually be rehomed to ABC and was a fan-favorite production during its nine-season run, even spawning spin-offs in both TV and feature-length forms. The new series of the same name won’t share any direct lines to the Griffith-led original but will instead blaze its own trail with Kathy Bates at the front of the wagon.
Kathy Bates’ Draw
The ABC and NBC show still remains a classic watch for viewers of a certain demographic, and reruns can still be spotted on networks like MeTV. With Kathy Bates leading the reboot, it will likely continue to draw in viewers of a similar demographic who have watched the star’s career continue to blaze forward over multiple decades. Bates’ involvement may draw in new audiences as her appearance over the last few decades in movies like Titanic and shows like American Horror Story have spread her face to a younger generation as well.
It’s On The Way
As we mentioned, Matlock has yet to set a release date. However, the delays caused by the writers’ and actors’ strike are over. We’ll continue to bring you updates regarding the Kathy Bates-led spin-off.
Source: Deadline
