When CBS first announced a reboot of the classic legal drama, people were skeptical. Understandably so. Andy Griffith’s original Ben Matlock is an institution, a seersucker-wearing legend of the courtroom. But then they dropped the news that the cast of Matlock with Kathy Bates would be lead by, well, Kathy Bates. Suddenly, the vibe changed. This isn't just a simple gender-swap or a lazy retread. It’s a sharp, twisty reimagining that basically flips the "underestimated old lady" trope on its head.
Honestly, the chemistry of the ensemble is what makes this show breathe. While Bates is the gravity, the actors orbiting her—Skye P. Marshall, Jason Ritter, and Beau Bridges—create a legal ecosystem that feels both cutthroat and surprisingly human.
The Powerhouse: Kathy Bates as Madeline "Matty" Matlock
Kathy Bates doesn't just play a lawyer; she plays a woman playing a character. It's meta. Her character, Madeline "Matty" Matlock, claims to be a cash-strapped widow returning to the workforce to support her grandson. She uses her age like a camouflage, leaning into the "invisible woman" phenomenon to eavesdrop and manipulate her way into winning cases.
But here is the kicker: it’s all a ruse.
Matty is actually Madeline Kingston, a wealthy, sharp-as-nails woman on a revenge mission. She blames the high-powered law firm Jacobson Moore for the opioid crisis that took her daughter’s life. Bates is a master at this. One second she’s the bumbling, sweet grandma asking for help with a PDF, and the next, she’s cold, calculating, and absolutely lethal in her pursuit of justice. It’s the kind of performance that reminds you why she has an Oscar and multiple Emmys.
📖 Related: Al Pacino Angels in America: Why His Roy Cohn Still Terrifies Us
The Jacobson Moore Inner Circle
If Matty is the wolf in sheep's clothing, the rest of the cast of Matlock with Kathy Bates represents the pack she’s trying to infiltrate.
Skye P. Marshall as Olympia Lawrence
Olympia is Matty’s boss and a junior partner at the firm. She’s formidable. Skye P. Marshall brings a grounded, weary intensity to the role. Olympia is a woman trying to balance a high-stakes career with a messy divorce, and she initially has zero patience for Matty’s "folksy" antics. The dynamic between Marshall and Bates is the show's spine—a slow-burn respect that makes the eventual betrayals hurt even more.
Jason Ritter as Julian Markston
Jason Ritter plays Julian, a senior partner and Olympia’s soon-to-be ex-husband. He’s the son of the firm’s founder, which comes with its own set of baggage. Ritter is great at playing characters who are "kinda" charming but clearly hiding a layer of corporate ruthlessness. In this show, he’s one of Matty’s primary targets, as she suspects he might be the one who buried the documents that could have saved her daughter.
Beau Bridges as "Senior" (Howard Markston)
You can’t have a prestige legal drama without a patriarch. Beau Bridges plays Howard Markston, the firm’s managing partner. He’s the old guard. He represents the systemic power that Matty is trying to dismantle. Bridges plays him with a mix of warmth and "don't cross me" authority that makes him feel like a true titan of the industry.
👉 See also: Adam Scott in Step Brothers: Why Derek is Still the Funniest Part of the Movie
The Associates and Support Staff
The younger generation at Jacobson Moore provides the boots-on-the-ground legal work, and Matty's interactions with them are where a lot of the show's humor (and tension) lives.
- Leah Lewis as Sarah Franklin: Sarah is a hyper-ambitious first-year associate. She’s the "overachiever" archetype, but Leah Lewis gives her a vulnerability that keeps her from being a caricature. She eventually finds herself caught in a precarious spot between loyalty to the firm and her growing bond with Matty.
- David Del Rio as Billy Martinez: Billy was another first-year associate who worked closely with the group. However, behind-the-scenes drama led to Del Rio's exit from the series in late 2025. This departure has forced the show to pivot, introducing new characters to fill the void.
- Sam Anderson as Edwin Kingston: This is Matty’s real-life husband. He’s her partner in crime, literally. He helps her maintain her cover and provides the emotional anchor she needs when the "Matlock" persona starts to feel too heavy.
Behind the Scenes: A Shift in the Lineup
Life on a TV set isn't always as smooth as the final edit looks. The cast of Matlock with Kathy Bates saw a major shakeup in late 2025. Following allegations brought forth by Leah Lewis, David Del Rio was fired from the show. It was a swift move by CBS and the production team, signaling a zero-tolerance policy for workplace misconduct.
To keep the momentum going for Season 2, the showrunners brought in fresh blood:
- Sarah Wright Olsen as Gwen: An efficiency expert who is there to audit the firm during a merger. She’s not exactly there to make friends.
- Henry Haber as Hunter: A younger associate described as a "total bro." His presence is meant to shake up the established rhythm between Matty and Olympia.
Why This Specific Cast Works
Most reboots fail because they try to capture lightning in a bottle twice. This version of Matlock works because it knows it can't be Andy Griffith.
✨ Don't miss: Actor Most Academy Awards: The Record Nobody Is Breaking Anytime Soon
By surrounding Kathy Bates with actors like Skye P. Marshall and Jason Ritter, the show creates a multi-generational dialogue about power, ethics, and visibility. You've got the boomers (Matty and Senior), the Gen X/Millennial bridge (Olympia and Julian), and the Gen Z hustle (Sarah).
It’s a smart move. It allows the show to tackle modern legal issues—like the opioid epidemic or corporate data privacy—while still feeling like a classic "case of the week" procedural.
Actionable Tips for New Viewers
If you're just jumping into the series now, here is how to get the most out of the experience:
- Watch the pilot twice. No, seriously. Once you know the "big twist" at the end of the first episode, the entire way Kathy Bates interacts with the other characters in the first 40 minutes takes on a completely different meaning.
- Pay attention to the background. The show is famous for hiding little clues about Matty’s true identity in her "home" life with Edwin and her grandson, Alfie.
- Don't get too attached to the law. Like most TV legal dramas, the courtroom scenes are "sorta" realistic but mostly served with a side of dramatic license. The real story is the spy thriller happening in the hallways.
The cast of Matlock with Kathy Bates has managed to do the impossible: make a 30-year-old brand feel fresh, dangerous, and incredibly relevant. Whether you're here for the legal puzzles or the revenge plot, the performances are what will keep you pinned to the couch.
To keep up with the latest developments, make sure to check the CBS schedule for Season 2's mid-season return in February 2026. This is where the Gwen and Hunter characters really start to mess with the Jacobson Moore hierarchy, and the stakes for Matty’s secret have never been higher.