It usually takes months for a network to pull the trigger on a second season. Usually, executives wait for the "live plus seven" numbers or the streaming data from Paramount+ to trickle in before they commit millions of dollars to a sophomore run. But CBS didn’t wait. They saw the pilot numbers and basically said, "Yeah, we’re doing this again."
If you’re wondering did Matlock get renewed, the answer is a massive yes.
CBS officially handed out a Season 2 renewal for the Kathy Bates-led reboot incredibly early. It was one of those rare instances where a show becomes a "certified hit" before the first month of airing is even over. It’s a relief for fans because, honestly, the way the pilot ended changed everything we thought we knew about Madeline Matlock. You can't just leave a twist like that hanging in the wind.
The Shocking Speed of the Matlock Renewal
The television landscape is brutal right now. Shows get canceled after three episodes if the algorithm doesn't like the trajectory. But Matlock is the outlier. It premiered to over 7.7 million viewers. When you factor in the delayed viewing and the repeat airings, that number ballooned to over 10 million.
Those are "old school" TV numbers.
Amy Reisenbach, the president of CBS Entertainment, didn't mince words when the announcement dropped. She pointed out that the show wasn't just catching the older demographic that remembers Andy Griffith; it was actually pulling in a younger audience that loves a good "eat the rich" legal drama with a side of deception. It's funny because the show markets itself as a cozy procedural, but underneath, it's a bit of a revenge thriller.
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The renewal happened in October 2024, just a few weeks after the series premiere. It was a move that signaled total confidence. CBS knows they have a winner, and they wanted to secure Kathy Bates for as long as possible, especially considering she’s hinted that this might be her final acting role.
Why This Isn't Your Grandpa’s Matlock
If you haven't watched yet—or you've only seen the first ten minutes—you might think this is just a gender-swapped version of the 1980s classic. It isn't. Not even close.
The original Ben Matlock was a simple man who loved hot dogs and wearing seersucker suits while defending the innocent. Kathy Bates’ Madeline "Matty" Matlock is a different beast entirely. In the closing moments of the pilot, we learn her last name isn't even Matlock. She’s a wealthy woman who has infiltrated a high-powered law firm to find out who was responsible for the opioid crisis that took her daughter’s life.
That’s why people are obsessed.
The stakes aren't just "will she win the case of the week?" The stakes are "will she get caught?" Every time she interacts with Olympia (played by the brilliant Skye P. Marshall) or Julian (Jason Ritter), there is a layer of absolute fraud happening. It’s high-wire acting. Kathy Bates plays a woman who is playing a woman. It’s meta, it’s smart, and it’s exactly why the show was renewed so fast.
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What to Expect in Matlock Season 2
While we’re currently riding out the first season, the writers are already looking toward the future. Season 2 will likely deal with the fallout of whatever Madeline finds in the firm's files.
You’ve got to assume the secret won't stay secret forever.
In a typical procedural, you can run for ten years without changing the status quo. But because Matlock has a serialized "revenge" plot baked into the premise, Season 2 has to evolve. We’ll probably see more of Madeline’s real life—the one with her grandson and her actual husband (played by Beau Bridges). The contrast between her fake "poor widow" persona and her actual reality as a woman with a vendetta is where the drama lives.
- Production Timeline: Expect filming to begin in the summer of 2025.
- Release Window: CBS usually sticks to a fall schedule, so look for Season 2 around late September or early October 2025.
- The Cast: No major exits are expected yet, though in a legal drama, anyone can get fired (from the firm or the show).
The Kathy Bates Factor
Let's be real. If this was anyone other than Kathy Bates, would it have been renewed this fast? Maybe. But Bates brings a gravity to the role that makes the silly "grandma" moments feel calculated and sharp.
She has spoken openly about her retirement plans. She told The New York Times that she was ready to hang it up before this script landed on her desk. The fact that she’s committed to a Season 2 is a huge win for broadcast television. It’s rare to see a legendary Oscar winner lead a network show these days; they usually flee to HBO or Netflix. Bates staying on CBS proves that "appointment TV" isn't dead yet.
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Addressing the Skeptics
Some people were annoyed when they heard about a Matlock reboot. "Everything is a remake!" they shouted at their screens. And yeah, usually, they’re right. Most reboots are soulless cash grabs.
But showrunner Jennie Snyder Urman (who gave us Jane the Virgin) did something clever here. She used the brand name Matlock as a Trojan horse. Within the show’s universe, Madeline literally says she’s using the name because of the old TV show. It acknowledges the history while carving out a completely new identity. It’s a "meta-reboot." That's the nuance that most critics missed in the early trailers but caught onto once the pilot aired.
How to Stay Up to Date
Since the renewal is already a "done deal," you don't have to worry about the show disappearing on a cliffhanger this spring. However, the schedule for Season 1 has been a bit choppy due to sports and holiday breaks.
If you want to keep track of the remaining episodes of the first season before we get to the second, keep an eye on the CBS app or Paramount+. They usually post the upcoming schedule about two weeks in advance. The ratings have stayed steady, which is a great sign. Usually, a show drops 20% in its second week. Matlock didn't. It held its ground, which is basically unheard of in the current streaming-heavy environment.
The "whodunnit" aspect of who hid the documents regarding the opioids is going to reach a fever pitch by the Season 1 finale. My guess? The person Madeline is looking for is someone we’ve already grown to like. That’s the classic TV formula, and this show executes it perfectly.
Actionable Steps for Fans
If you're thrilled that did Matlock get renewed results turned out positive, here is how you can prepare for what's coming next:
- Watch the Pilot Again: Seriously. Now that you know Madeline’s secret, watch how she manipulates her coworkers in the first episode. It’s a completely different show when you know she’s lying.
- Catch Up on Paramount+: If you’ve missed the "case of the week" episodes, get caught up now. The show seeds little clues about the firm’s partners in every episode.
- Monitor the Fall 2025 Schedule: CBS typically announces their official "Upfronts" in May. This is when we will get the exact time slot for Season 2.
- Ignore the "Final Season" Rumors: While Kathy Bates mentioned retirement, her contract for Season 2 is set. Unless there is a massive health or production issue, she is locked in for the next year.
The show has successfully bridged the gap between the comfort of old-school procedurals and the intensity of modern prestige drama. It’s a tough act to pull off, but for now, Madeline Matlock is just getting started.