Matlock Reboot Starring Kathy Bates Finally Gets Significant Update

The forthcoming Matlock reboot on CBS has received a significant update. It was first announced in 2023 that Kathy Bates would lead the cast in a reboot of Matlock, the beloved mystery series from 1986 to 1995 that starred Andy Griffith. It was already known that the series would be a part of CBS’s Fall 2024 lineup, but now, the show has been given an official start date of Sunday, September 22.

However, this is a special premiere date as the show will be slotted into the Thursday night lineup, beginning with a rerun of its premiere on Thursday, October 10, at 9 PM ET.

CBS’s new fall lineup was announced via a Paramount press release. Thursday nights on the network also feature the return of Elsbeth, which will follow Matlock and begin at 10 PM ET. However, Matlock is one of many new series coming to CBS on Thursday nights. The latest show in The Big Bang Theory universe, Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage, will kick off CBS’s Thursday night primetime lineup at 8 PM ET, followed by Ghosts at 8:30.

Matlock was initially expected to return as part of the 2023 season, but was delayed as a result of the Hollywood strikes that occurred in 2023. A reboot of a different kind is also joining the CBS lineup this season as Hollywood Squares is slated to return. Drew Barrymore will host the game show, which will air on Wednesday nights at 10 PM ET, beginning in January 2025.

Matlock is a Reimagining of the Original Program

Paramount’s upcoming Matlock reboot will follow Madeline “Matty” Matlock, portrayed by Kathy Bates, as she reenters the workforce in her later years. She works at a prestigious law firm, using her experience, unassuming demeanor, and the tricks she’s picked up along the way to successfully win cases while exposing corruption around her. Kathy Bates, along with Joanna Klein, Kat Coiro, Eric Christian Olsen, John Will, and Jenny Snyder Urman, will serve as executive producers of this series.

The series will also star Skye P. Marshall as Olympia, a senior attorney at the law firm who is described as having a thirst for justice. Jason Ritter joins the cast as Julian, Olympia’s ex-husband and the son of the head of the law firm. David Del Rio will portray Billy, and Leah Lewis will play Sarah. Billy and Sarah are the firm’s younger associates, and they will work alongside the experienced Matlock. As the series is described as a reimagining, Ben Matlock and any of the characters from the original series will not be mentioned in this universe.

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Dean Hargrove created the original Matlock. This series starred Andy Griffith in his second lease on TV life following his adventures in Mayberry as Andy Taylor on The Andy Griffith Show. The original series also starred Linda Purl, Julie Sommars, Clarence Gilyard Jr., Daniel Roebuck, Kene Holliday, and Nancy Stafford,