In today’s television scene, many shows struggle to stand out. This is true even for reboots and revivals that rely on nostalgia. Many attempts to bring back old shows fail, whether they bring back the original cast or simply update the concept.
When CBS announced they would revive Matlock, not everyone reacted with excitement. It took over a year for the reimagining of the classic legal drama to air.
However, when Kathy Bates, a well-known actress, was announced as the lead, fans felt a cautious sense of hope.
The timing can be tricky for certain shows to return, especially on network television. Fortunately, this Matlock, developed by Jennie Snyder Urman and directed by Kat Coiro, seems well-timed.
It is one of the few reboots that has a clear purpose. It stands out as a strong legal drama with only a few connections to the original show.
What Is ‘Matlock’ About?
Madeline Matlock, played by Bates, is often underestimated. She has been away from the professional scene for a long time and struggles to get back to her former life.
As a 75-year-old widow and guardian of her grandson, Alfie, Matty looks for ways to support both of them financially.
Using her wits and keen observation, she secures a job at the law firm Jacobson Moore. She boldly walks into a boardroom meeting and refuses to leave until she gets hired.
This boldness raises suspicion from Olympia Lawrence, one of the firm’s top lawyers. She does not get to ask Matty many questions about her past, especially since she is now part of the team with junior associates Sarah and Billy.
Even though Matty gets a job at Jacobson Moore, she must prove herself regardless of her age. She has to jump right into assisting Olympia with whatever is needed, even though she struggles with new technology.
This leads to a case-of-the-week format, with the characters tackling various crimes, from murder to wrongful imprisonment.
Other storylines sometimes overlap, such as Olympia juggling her responsibilities as a divorced mother while working with her ex-husband and his father.
One reassuring aspect of this show is knowing that each case will be solved by the end of the episode, just like in the original series.
‘Matlock’ Is an Acting Showcase for Kathy Bates
Madeline Matlock starts as a modest, grandmotherly character with Southern charm, but Bates never feels limited in her role. The CBS legal drama allows her to show her full range of talent as the episodes progress.
In one scene, Matty fumbles with sending a photo to her grandson, and in another, she provides comfort to a client.
While Matty may seem warm and gentle at first, she is also observant and can understand people in ways others may not. Matty shows a range of emotions, including sadness and frustration.
It is a joy to watch an actress of Bates’ caliber take on such a multi-dimensional role. This new version of Matlock acknowledges the original show, as Matty often mentions being a fan.
This adds clever nods to the past without diminishing Bates’ character. The series encourages viewers to rethink their judgments about Matty, especially with a surprising twist in the pilot that hints at how the rest of the season will unfold.
‘Matlock’ Is Anchored by a Charming Supporting Cast
Bates’ performance in Matlock may be one of her best yet, and she is supported by a talented ensemble. Some characters take longer to develop, but Skye P. Marshall, who plays Olympia, stands out early on. She brings warmth and strength to a character that could have easily become one-dimensional.
Marshall’s portrayal allows Olympia to balance her dedication to her job with her role as a mother. When Marshall and Bates interact, their chemistry shines. A memorable scene shows Matty and Olympia celebrating a legal win with a spontaneous dance party.
The quieter moments between the supporting cast, such as Marshall with Jason Ritter or Leah Lewis with David Del Rio, add depth to the story.
The law firm feels more like a family rather than just a group of co-workers. In this version of Matlock, Matty feels invisible due to her age.
She comments on this during her pitch to work at Jacobson Moor, stating, “There’s this funny thing that happens when women age.
We become damn near invisible.” As the characters soon discover, this does not apply to the actress playing her. Although Matty believes she is invisible, viewers will not be able to look away from Kathy Bates in Matlock.
CBS’s revival of Matlock features Kathy Bates as Madeline Matlock, a 75-year-old widow striving to re-enter the legal profession while caring for her grandson, Alfie.
Despite her age, Matty boldly secures a job at Jacobson Moore by marching into a boardroom and demanding a position.
She faces challenges as she must quickly adapt to modern technology and prove her worth. The show adopts a case-of-the-week format, where Matty and her team tackle various legal issues, from murder to wrongful imprisonment.
Bates delivers an attractive performance, showcasing a range of emotions from warmth to frustration. The supporting cast, including Skye P. Marshall as Olympia, adds depth to the story, making the law firm feel like a close-knit family.
The series pays homage to the original Matlock while establishing its own identity, with Matty humorously reflecting on the invisibility women face as they age. Matlock premiered on September 22 and will continue on October 17.
