So, here we are. Kathy Bates didn't retire. Honestly, the world of TV news can be a bit of a mess with all those "last dance" headlines floating around, but Matty Matlock is officially back on our screens for 2026. If you've been following along, you know the first season wasn't just a simple reboot of the old Andy Griffith show. It was a massive, high-stakes bait-and-switch.
Kathy Bates Matlock season 2 isn't just a continuation of a legal procedural. It’s a full-on collision between a grandmother’s quest for revenge and the legal family she’s infiltrated. After that explosive season 1 finale where we learned Julian (Jason Ritter) was the one who actually hid the Wellbrexa documents in his own safety deposit box—at his father Senior’s (Beau Bridges) request—the stakes have shifted.
We aren't just wondering who did it anymore. We're wondering if Matty is going to burn the whole place down or if she's become too fond of the people she's supposed to be destroying.
The Midseason Break and the 2026 Return
If you tuned in this past December looking for fresh episodes and found nothing but reruns or holiday specials, you aren't alone. CBS put the show on a pretty lengthy hiatus. The midseason finale, "Call It a Christmas Gift," aired on December 11, 2025. It left us hanging right as the team started uncovering harassment secrets within the city's fire department, but more importantly, it left the Alfie paternity drama simmering.
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Basically, the show is taking a breather until February 26, 2026.
That’s the date to circle on your calendar. When it returns, we’re expecting to jump right back into the fallout of that paternity test. Showrunner Jennie Snyder Urman has been pretty vocal about the fact that we will get a definitive answer about whether the man claiming to be Alfie’s father is the real deal early in the second half of the season.
Cast Changes and New Faces in Jacobson Moore
The dynamic at the firm is shifting. If you noticed a lack of Billy Martinez (David Del Rio) recently, there's a reason for that. He made his final appearance in the seventh episode of this season. It's always a bit jarring when a core associate disappears, but the show is leaning into fresh blood to keep the tension high.
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Who is staying?
- Kathy Bates as Madeline "Matty" Matlock (obviously).
- Skye P. Marshall as Olympia, who is currently caught in the world's most awkward position between her ethics and her ex-husband.
- Jason Ritter as Julian, the man with the secret box.
- Leah Lewis as Sarah, who is finally getting some real "main character" energy in the courtroom.
Who is joining?
The big news for early 2026 is the guest appearance of Edwin Hodge. He’s playing a character named Langston, a "charismatic late arrival." The fun part? Hodge is actually married to Skye P. Marshall in real life. Seeing them go toe-to-toe on screen is definitely one of the highlights fans are looking for this spring. We've also got Justina Machado sticking around as Eva, Senior’s fourth ex-wife, which adds another layer of "who can you trust" to the executive committee.
Why Kathy Bates Matlock Season 2 Hits Differently
Most procedurals are sort of... comfortable. You know the bad guy gets caught in 44 minutes. But here, the "bad guy" might be the person Matty has grown to love like a daughter: Olympia.
The relationship between these two women is the actual heartbeat of the show. In the episode "Harm Reduction," we saw them finally start to reconcile while working a case with nuns, but that reconciliation is built on a foundation of lies. Matty is still Madeline Kingston. She’s still wealthy. She’s still there to avenge her daughter Ellie’s opioid overdose.
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The show is playing with this idea of "invisibility." Kathy Bates has talked extensively about how women of a certain age feel like they disappear. Matty uses that. She plays the "bumbling old lady" perfectly, but in season 2, we’re seeing the mask slip more often.
What to Watch For Next
When the show returns on February 26, keep your eyes on the "Double Helix" plotting that Urman loves. Everything is connected. The case of the week usually mirrors Matty’s internal struggle or the Wellbrexa cover-up.
If you're looking to catch up or refresh your memory before the February return, the best way to do it is through Paramount+, where all the season 2 episodes—including the Sunday night special "The Before Times"—are currently streaming. You can also find the first season on Pluto TV if you need to see exactly how the Wellbrexa documents ended up in that safe in the first place.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Mark February 26, 2026 as the return date for new episodes on CBS.
- Stream Episode 8 ("Call It a Christmas Gift") on Paramount+ if you missed the midseason finale, as it sets up the fire department case that continues in the spring.
- Watch the "The Before Times" (Season 2, Episode 1) specifically to see the immediate aftermath of the Alfie cliffhanger, which will be the primary focus when the show resumes.