Kathy Bates’ ‘Matlock’ Reboot Ratings Are In

Kathy Bates’ Matlock revival has set the bar higher for legal dramas as it earned a 100 percent perfect rating on Rotten Tomatoes. With an impressive debut on September 22, viewers now await the second episode, which is scheduled to air on October 17.

The season has 18 episodes in all, with Kathy playing Madeline “Matty” Matlock, who is a lawyer in her ‘70s navigating the workplace as a woman. Although on the surface, it is a gender-swap version of the 1980s original, Matlock with Kathy is a different approach to reboots.

What about ‘Matlock?’

The initial series ran from 1986 to 1995, featuring Andy Griffith as criminal defense attorney Ben Matlock, whose aim was to clear innocent people of murder charges. Madeleine may have easily been Ben’s daughter taking after him; however, she is just a big fan of the series who adopted his last name as a tribute.

Ben’s daughters Charlene and Leanne actually turned out to be lawyers, but Kathy had a different direction from what was expected. She also chose the name Matlock to cover up her identity at a law firm that hid documents about an opioid pandemic, which her daughter was a victim of.

Is Kathy Bates retiring after ‘Matlock’?

Kathy turned 76 in June and initially planned to retire after Matlock; however, she now claims that the series has opened more opportunities for her career that she is willing to take. She stated matter-of-factly at the 2024 Emmys that she would keep working until further notice.

Her six-decade Hollywood run has been marked by admirable achievements, including an Academy Award, two Primetime Emmys, two Golden Globes, and nominations for a Tony and two BAFTA Awards. Kathy has earned these accolades despite her battles with ovarian cancer and breast cancer, for which she underwent a double mastectomy in 2012.