10 Reasons Why Kathy Bates' Matlock Show Is So Successful

Spoilers ahead for Matlock season 1.Kathy Bates' Matlock series is a massive hit, and the show has a secret recipe for success. Just two episodes into Matlock season 1, the legal procedural series is the first TV show of the 2024-2025 cycle to garner renewal for the next season. The series debuted with a sneak peek ahead of CBS premiere week, amassing 7.7 million viewers. In five years, the Matlock pilot had the highest ratings for a non-Superbowl premiere after Matlock received a rare 100% Rotten Tomatoes score.

Jennie Snyder Urman's Matlock put a fresh spin on the original series, one of the greatest procedural TV shows ever. In light of Matlock's brilliant and refreshing plot twist, revealing Bates as Madeline Kingston, the Misery actor's show has the chops to compete with its predecessor. That said, many elements of the Matlock reboot make the procedural fresh and exciting, creating arguably the best show in the TV cycle and building plenty of momentum for Matlock season 2.

10 Kathy Bates Is An Excellent TV Lead

Bates Is An Oscar-Winning Actor

Bates was a brilliant choice to lead the Matlock reboot. Her performance in Misery (1980), Rob Reiner's horror thriller based on Stephen King's novel of the same name, garnered the actor the Oscar for Best Actress at the 63rd Academy Awards. Still, Bates related to a remark from Elsbeth's Carrie Preston in a Conversations Between Stars interview with CBS ahead of the Matlock series premiere wherein Preston said she never thought they would choose her for the lead.

Despite her career comprising many supporting roles, Bates is the perfect star to spearhead the new Matlock, using her age to her advantage and stealing the scene with discretion. On being approached by Jane The Virgin's Jenny Snyder Urman for Matlock, Bates remarked that, at her age, she didn't know if she would have the opportunity to lead a production like Matlock:

At my age, I didn't know that I would have an opportunity to do something like this, and I sort of had one foot out the door because I've played a lot of supporting roles over the years.

9 Matlock Season 1, Episode 1 Has An Incredible Twist

Matlock's Plot Twist Defines The CBS Series

Throughout the Matlock premiere, Kathy Bates channels Andy Griffith's folksy and unassuming demeanor to mask her sharp legal mind. Still, Madeline Matlock's mission seems to be money, and her gimmick as an older person in society is sold as a way to get ahead at Jacobson Moore. Instead, the show's real twist comes at the end of episode 1, and it gives the show a heartbeat that wasn't previously advertised but makes the show all the more poignant.

When Jacobson Moore's newest employee arrives home after her first day on the job, the series reveals that Madeline Matlock is Madeline Kingston, a wealthy retired attorney with a doting husband and grandson on a mission for justice for her daughter, Ellie. Madeline is working with her grandson, Alfie (Aaron D. Harris), to infiltrate Jacobson Moore and find out who hid legal documents that could have saved her daughter. The series' opening twist was a shocking change of pace and set up a thrilling premise.

The Matlock premise twist got many people talking and arguably helped spread the word about what to expect from the show. In the day and age of reboots and revivals, the show received some backlash regarding its approach instead of simply launching a new series. Bates' Matlock proves that companies can still be inspired by classic series without just rebooting or reviving them.

8 It Stands On The Shoulders Of Andy Griffith’s Matlock

Andy Griffith's Ben Matlock Inspired Bates' Character

Matlock's premise is so good that it wouldn't need name recognition, but it still stands on the shoulders of Andy Griffith's Matlock. The original procedural series is the inspiration for Bates' show and is a beloved procedural still recognized today. However, Urman's modern take on Matlock stands out for several reasons. First and foremost, Madeline Kingston's double life leads to a fascinating plot that keeps nearly every element of the story a mystery to its viewers.

Every move Madeline makes elicits the question: Are we watching Madeline Kingston or Madeline Matlock? Sometimes, Madeline Matlock makes an intentional mistake, acting on behalf of her covert plan. Then there are times when Matty suddenly becomes Madeline Kingston, if only for a moment when asked about her daughter. In the same way that it was never clear what piece of evidence Ben Matlock would use in the original series, every move Madeline makes is a mystery.

7 Olympia & Matty's Professional Relationship Is Dynamic

Skye P. Marshall And Kathy Bates Play Colleagues

One of the best parts of the Matlock show is the dynamic between Madeline and Olympia (Skype P. Marshall), who are colleagues at Jacobson Moore. During her first day on the job, Matty makes the wrong impression on Olympia, who becomes her boss and treats Madeline like she doesn't have time to talk to her, let alone work with her. However, eager to earn Olympia's trust and advance her plan, Madeline turns the tables.

Madeline consistently proves to her boss that she will help her win cases, and as such, Olympia and Madeline's relationship is constantly evolving. Whether they can trust one another is unclear, but the pair work together because it helps them both get ahead. Still, there is a quasi-friendship between them, and Matlock season 1 will undoubtedly deliver more advancements in how Madeline and Olympia interact.

6 Madeline’s Colleagues Billy & Sarah Are Hilarious

David Del Rio And Sarah Lewis Are Madeline's Counterparts

Madeline's colleagues, Billy (David Del Rio) and Sarah (Sarah Lewis) are hilarious and add a necessary comedic element to the hustle and bustle of Jacobson Moore. A skilled researcher set on proving herself to Olympia, Lewis' Sarah character often underestimates Madeline Matlock, leading to humorous moments where Sarah is surprised or has to apologize for not giving Matlock enough credit.

More than funny, Billy and Sarah are heartfelt characters who support Matty and each other at the massive, fast-paced law firm that has them second-guessing the best of their abilities. Billy and Sarah now care for Matlock even after just working together for a brief time, so it would be interesting to see how her fellow associates react if they knew about her covert plan and whether they would support her.

5 Matlock Has A Unique Approach To Reboots

Kathy Bates' Show Is A Quasi-Reboot

One of the things that makes Matlock unique is that it has a fresh take on the reboot premise. While Matlock shares some elements of the Andy Griffith series, Griffith's Matlock is a television show in Bates' series. Therefore, rather than entering Griffith's timeline to tell a new story, Bates' show has the same familiarity with the original Matlock as its audience. Billy and Sarah even play the Matlock theme song for Matty at the end of episode 1.

When Bates was cast as Madeline Matlock, much speculation existed about how the character would fit into Ben Matlock's world. In the original series, Ben had two daughters who were both lawyers. However, their names were Charlene and Leanne. Rather than change the names of Ben's daughters or include Madeline in Ben's world, Matlock reveals Madeline "Matty" Matlock is Kingston's fake identity. The tribute to Griffith's character connects the shows without limiting the story Bates' reboot can tell.

4 Matlock Has A Diverse Cast

Matlock Has A Range Of Diversity

Matlock has an extraordinary cast. Bates' show includes a rich representation of age, race, sexual orientation, and gender. The show reversed Ben Matlock's gender to discuss society's perception of older women. Its narrative, with the Madeline Matlock character, drives the point home that some groups are overlooked. Jacobson Moore also has a blend of men and women working in a prestigious law firm, and characters like Olympia hold space for conversations about intersectionality.

Olympia talks about how she had to work harder than others to get to where she is, touching on how her experiences as a Black person and a woman overlap in the workplace. Lewis' Sarah shows a driven character within the LGBTQ+ community, whereas Billy comes from a supportive Latinx family and brings that to the conversation. The Matlock cast has a wide range of personal experiences for its audience to relate to, making it more accessible to more people.

3 Madeline Kingston’s Husband & Grandson Are Adorable (Despite Her Lies About Them)

Sam Anderson And Aaron D. Harris Play Edwin And Alfie Kingston

Despite Madeline "Matty" Matlock's lies about her husband and grandson at work, she adores them. The healthy and loving dynamic between Madeline, Edwin (Sam Anderson), and Alfie is refreshing. Even when the house has stress or tension, the characters can talk it out realistically. Bates, Anderson, and Harris' performance as a family is reliable and helps sell Matlock's underlying premise.

Although Madeline Matlock's backstory is mainly fabricated, one element is genuine. Madeline tells her colleagues that she is raising her grandson after her daughter's death, and she is. Matty lost her daughter in a car accident. However, the real cause of Madeline's daughter's death was opioids. Madeline's colleagues learning the actual cause of her daughter's death would make the reveal of her secret identity all the more moving.

2 Madeline Matlock Successfully Gender-Swapped Andy Griffith’s Ben Matlock

The Original Matlock Aired From 1986 To 1995

Bates' Madeline Matlock character is a gender-swapped role of Andy Griffith's character. Griffith's Ben Matlock is an excellent character who makes a statement about aging people in society. Bates' character revives the premise and continues the conversation, using the Madeline Matlock persona to explain how society can overlook older women. Furthermore, Madeline subverts her disadvantage into her greatest asset: her stealth.

Her belief in the strength she brings to the table is clear when Madeline enters the Jacobson Moore partner's meeting in the series' opening episode. Madeline describes the "funny thing that happens when women age," discussing how they become "damn near invisible." Still, Madeline uses it to her advantage, scoring a trial period for the associate position at Jacobson Moore, where she needs to work to get justice for Ellie.

1 Madeline Kingston’s Secret Revenge Plan Has Heart (& So Do Her Cases)

Matlock Is More Than Just A Procedural

Matlock's greatest asset is that, while it was advertised as a courtroom procedural, it's so much more than that. The series is more complex than the official synopsis suggests, saying: “Madeline ‘Matty’ Matlock, a brilliant septuagenarian who achieved success in her younger years and decides to rejoin the work force at a prestigious law firm where she uses her unassuming demeanor and wily tactics to win cases.” However, Madeline isn't just getting ahead or scoring courtroom wins.

Madeline Kingston's secret plan to infiltrate the massive Jacobson Moore law firm and get justice for her daughter has heart. She is working with her loved ones to get justice, helping families, including her own, move on from their tragedy. Similarly, the cases that Olympia, Madeline, Billy, and Sarah take on in Matlock raise relevant issues, using the show's massive platform to hold valuable, timely discussions about the state of crime in America and how it is prosecuted.

Kathy Bates Already Got Nominated For Her Work On Matlock

Kathy Bates previously announced Matlock would be her final project, retiring from acting whenever she leaves the role. While it is certainly sad news given her amazing talents, Matlock also has set up Bates to end on a strong note with plenty of accolades to go out with. Bates is no stranger to awards attention as she has had plenty throughout her career. Alongside her Oscar win for Misery, Bates also received nominations for Primary Colors, About Schmidt, and Richard Jewell.

Kathy Bates Matlock Nominations:

Bates has also earned plenty of awards for her two wins and another 12 nominations at the Primetime Emmy Awards. While Matlock will have to wait until next year to be considered for the Emmys, the show has already earned Bates a handful of nominations despite the show only debuting two months ago. Bates was recently nominated for a Golden Globe as well as a Screen Actors Guild Award for her leading performance. Time will tell how long Matlock remains on the air, but it seems likely Bates will end her career with some new trophies.

Matlock season 1 continues Thursday on CBS.

Source: CBS