If you’re anything like me, you probably spent your Thursday nights lately shouting at the TV or trying to figure out if Madeline Matlock is actually a genius or just incredibly lucky. Kathy Bates has this way of making us forget she’s "retiring" and instead makes us obsessed with a legal drama that shouldn't be this good. But then the midseason finale happened. Now, we’re all sitting around asking the same thing: when does Matlock return to our screens?
It's a long wait. Honestly, probably longer than most of us wanted. CBS has officially parked the show for a winter nap, and we won’t see a fresh episode of season 2 until Thursday, February 26, 2026.
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Why the long break for Matty?
TV schedules are weird. You’d think with a hit show—and let’s be real, Matlock is a massive hit—they’d want to keep the momentum going. But CBS is playing the long game here. The network is clearing space for the Winter Olympics and some big reality premieres like Survivor 50.
Because of that, the show is taking a two-month breather. We left off on December 11 with "Call It a Christmas Gift," an episode that felt more like a gut punch than a holiday celebration. If you missed it, secrets started leaking out faster than a cracked pipe, and the team was knee-deep in a harassment case involving the fire department.
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When does Matlock return to its regular slot?
Mark your calendar for February 26. The show is keeping its 9:00 PM ET/PT Thursday night home. It’s sandwiched right between Ghosts and Elsbeth, which is basically the "Power Hour" for people who like their procedurals with a side of personality.
Here is the thing though: the back half of season 2 is going to look a little different.
The Billy-sized hole in the office
If you follow the behind-the-scenes drama, you know things got messy. David Del Rio, who played Billy, was fired back in late 2025 following some pretty serious allegations involving co-star Leah Lewis. The show handled it on-screen by saying Billy’s partner had a miscarriage and he needed to step away to be with family.
It was abrupt. Kind of jarring, actually. But the show must go on. When the series returns in February, we aren't just getting one new face; we’re getting two.
- Sarah Wright Olsen is joining as Gwen. She's an "efficiency expert." In TV land, that’s usually code for "the person who is going to make everyone’s life miserable by counting their billable hours."
- Henry Haber is coming in as Hunter. Showrunner Jennie Snyder Urman basically described him as a "total bro." The firm apparently needs some new energy to bounce off Olympia and Matty.
What to expect in the second half of Season 2
When Matlock returns, we are heading straight into the merger drama. The Jacobson Moore firm is basically a shark tank right now. We still have the lingering question of who exactly knows Matty’s true identity and how much longer she can play this game.
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Kathy Bates recently snagged a Golden Globe nomination for this role, and you can see why. The nuance she brings to Madeline—balancing that "sweet old lady" persona with the razor-sharp mind of a woman on a mission—is what keeps us coming back.
Where can you watch the return?
If you have a digital antenna or cable, it’s CBS. Simple.
But if you’re a streamer:
- Paramount+ with Showtime subscribers can watch it live when it airs.
- Paramount+ Essential users have to wait until the next day (Friday morning).
Actionable steps for fans
Don't just sit there waiting. Since the break is so long, you should probably make sure you're caught up so the February premiere actually makes sense.
- Binge the first eight episodes of Season 2 on Paramount+ if you've forgotten the specifics of the Wellbrexa scandal.
- Check your DVR settings. Sometimes when a show takes a long break, "Series Record" settings can get wonky if the network changes the metadata. Re-confirm the 9:00 PM Thursday slot in mid-February.
- Follow the cast on social media. Leah Lewis has been posting "we are back" updates from the set, and it’s the best way to see if there are any last-minute scheduling shifts.
The wait is annoying, sure. But February 26 will be here before you know it. Just keep your eyes on the "efficiency expert"—Gwen feels like she’s going to be a massive problem for Matty’s secret.