Kathy Bates is a legendary actress known for her diverse and unforgettable roles over several decades in Hollywood. From Misery to American Horror Story, Bates has always stunned fans with her incredible range across movies and TV. And at 76 years of age, the actress is showing no signs of slowing down with her spectacular turn in the CBS show, Matlock, which is a gender-flipping reboot of the classic 1986 legal drama starring Andy Griffith.
With such a storied career spanning over 40 years and countless award-winning performances, one would assume Bates fearlessly takes on any new project that comes her way. However, that’s not always the case. Bates recently sat for an interview with Stephen Colbert on The Late Show and revealed her apprehensions of taking on such an iconic role. When Colbert asked her if she was “always” afraid before starting something new, Bates’ response was affirmative.
“Sometimes… It depends on the character. This, I was just terrified by — I don’t know why. Because it’s just — I don’t know. I was just terrified.”
Matlock, which premiered in September to glowing reviews from fans and critics alike, is a revival series. Bates steps into the lead role of Madeline Matlock, who poses as an ex-lawyer to land a job at Jacobson & Moore. It is later revealed that she is Madeline Kingston, a wealthy woman using the job as a front to investigate the opioid epidemic. It was a crisis that could have been averted, so her 12-year-old grandson would still have a mother. The main cast includes Skye P. Marshall, Jason Ritter, David Del Rio, and Leah Lewis. Matlock premiered to a 95% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with the consensus describing it as “a winner thanks to the ever reliable Kathy Bates.”
When Afraid, Kathy Bates Turns To This Quote From Dune
Method actors often have this process that gets them into character. Whether it is painstaking research, trying to embody the exact physicality of a character, drawing from personal experiences, or isolating oneself from the outside world for a certain amount of time, each actor has a unique approach. Kathy Bates, revered for her dedication, shared her own strategy to overcome fear on set. She told Colbert that she tucks a quote from Frank Herbert’s “Dune” into her script for inspiration. The full quote reads:
“I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past, I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone, there will be nothing. Only I will remain.”
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This quote from Dune is quite famous for offering a glimpse into one’s fears. While it reminds one to embrace fear, the quote also describes fear as a catalyst for growth. Colbert, who remembered having read that passage when he was young, related with Bates’ strategy and jokingly shared how he felt before taking on something creative, saying “I want to sign a confession and have it notarized and sent to the National Archives that says ‘I am a fraud. I never have ideas.’” Both Bates and Colbert prove the fact that even for veterans, the butterflies in the stomach never fully go away.
- Release Date
- September 22, 2024
- Cast
- Kathy Bates , Jason Ritter , Skye P. Marshall , David Del Rio , Leah Lewis , Aaron Harris , Eme Ikwuakor , Beau Bridges , Sam Anderson , Jordyn Weitz , Henry Allen , Colleen Camp
- Seasons
- 1