Stories

Kathy Bates Will Take Over Andy Griffith’s Role In The ‘Matlock’ Reboot Series

ADVERTISEMENT

Matlock ran on NBC from 1986 to 1992 for nine seasons. ABC then took over the show for the remaining three seasons. After the successful merger of CBS and Viacom in 2019, Paramount Global now owns the rights to the series. A reboot of Matlock is in the works on CBS, with a very significant change.

Kathy Bates will be acting in place of Andy Griffith in this new gender-swapped reboot. The original, which was concluded in 1995, featured Andy as Ben Matlock, the frugal witty attorney. The Dean Hargrove classic still airs on some networks like MeTV and Hallmark Channels.

ADVERTISEMENT

Who is Madeline Matlock?

SWEPT FROM THE SEA, Kathy Bates, 1997. ph: © TriStar Pictures / courtesy Everett Collection

To replace Ben Matlock, Kathy will play the role of Madeline, a lawyer coming out of hiatus. CBS revealed in their official logline that Madeline has a “subtle disposition” and is very strategic. These qualities help her win court cases and tackle corruption.

ADVERTISEMENT

RELATED: Kathy Bates, Evelyn Couch From ‘Fried Green Tomatoes,’ at 73 Keeps Proving Herself a Survivor

“After achieving success in her younger years, the brilliant septuagenarian Madeline Matlock rejoins the workforce at a prestigious law firm where she uses her unassuming demeanor and wily tactics to win cases and expose corruption from within. Based on the classic television series of the same name,” the logline read.

Although the new show would be inspired by the original, it has not been confirmed if Madeline and Ben’s characters are linked.

Kathy’s career in portraying law

HOME, Kathy Bates, 2020. © Gravitas Ventures / Courtesy Everett Collection

Matlock will not be Kathy’s first time as a lead in a law series. The actress played Harriet Korn in Harry’s Law in 2011. In 2011 and 2012, Kathy was consecutively nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series at the Emmys. Her performance in Misery, a film inspired by Stephen King’s bestseller book, bagged her an Oscar in 1991.

The 74-year-old has starred in previous productions like Fried Green Tomatoes, Titanic, The Waterboy, About Schmidt, and Richard Jewell. Kathy Bates has also guest starred in famous sitcoms like The Office and The Big Bang Theory.

‘Matlock’ had two other hit spin-offs

MATLOCK, Andy Griffith, 1986-95. ph: Bob D’Amico / TV Guide / ©ABC / courtesy Everett Collection

The detective series Jake And The Fatman appeared on CBS for five seasons as a spin-off of Matlock. The show featured Joe Penny and William Conrad, who played J. L. “Fatman” McCabe.

The other Matlock spin-off, Diagnosis Murder, was a famous medical mystery drama starring Dick Van Dyke as the main character, Dr. Sloan. Diagnosis Murder was more of a primary spin-off from Jake, And The Fatman— Van Dyke appeared as Dr. Sloan on season four of Jake And The Fatman.

Show comments
Share
Published by

Recent Posts

Bruce Springsteen Gets Honest About Future Of His Career After Health Battle

After a brief hiatus, Bruce Springsteen returned to the stage last week. With a dynamic…

11 hours ago

McDonald’s Will Start Selling Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Nationwide

It's the alliance of two giants in their respective fields. On Tuesday, both McDonald's and…

14 hours ago

‘Titanic’ Prop That Kept Rose Afloat Sells For Over $700,000

When one door closes, a decades-long debate begins. 1997's Titanic featured one iconic scene after…

16 hours ago

‘Petticoat Junction’ Cast Then And Now 2024

*FAQs at the bottom of article* UPDATED 3/27/2024 Forget about your cares, it is time…

16 hours ago

This Original ‘Beetlejuice’ Star Won’t Return For Sequel

Among the original Beetlejuice cast members was Jeffrey Jones, who played Winona Ryder’s on-screen dad,…

18 hours ago

Diana Ross’ Children Celebrate The Legendary Singer On Her 80th Birthday

The supreme career of Motown powerhouse Diana Ross began 65 years ago, and Tuesday marks…

19 hours ago