Matlock is not a continuation of the Andy Griffith courtroom series. CBS has reworked the title into a mystery-driven legal drama led by Kathy Bates, with a central identity twist that changes what the show is really about.
The first two seasons have aired, Season 2 has concluded, and CBS has renewed the series for Season 3. The next season is planned for the 2026–27 broadcast season, but CBS has not announced an exact premiere date.
Is Matlock a reboot?
Yes, but “reboot” needs some qualification. The CBS series is a new story inspired by the classic Matlock, which ran from 1986 to 1995 and starred Andy Griffith as defense attorney Ben Matlock.
Kathy Bates does not play a female version of Ben Matlock. Her character is Madeline “Matty” Matlock, a woman in her seventies who returns to legal work and joins the prestigious Jacobson Moore firm. The new series borrows the original show’s title and legal-drama foundation while building its own characters, workplace conflicts and long-running investigation.
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When did the new Matlock premiere?
The series received a special preview on Sunday, September 22, 2024, on CBS. Its regular Thursday-night schedule began on October 17, 2024, at 9 p.m. ET/PT.
CBS renewed the show for a second season in October 2024. Season 2 premiered on Sunday, October 12, 2025, at 8:30 p.m. ET and 8 p.m. PT before moving to its regular Thursday schedule.
| Season | Status | Release information |
|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | Released | Previewed September 22, 2024; regular run began October 17, 2024 |
| Season 2 | Released | Premiered October 12, 2025; concluded April 23, 2026 |
| Season 3 | Renewed | Planned for the 2026–27 broadcast season as a midseason series |
Season 3 release date: what has CBS confirmed?
CBS has renewed Matlock for a third season and placed it among the returning programs planned for the midseason portion of the 2026–27 schedule. That means it is not part of CBS’s fall 2026 lineup.
As of August 9, 2026, CBS has not announced a precise Season 3 premiere date. No January, February or March 2027 date should be treated as official unless it comes directly from CBS.
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Where can you watch Matlock?
In the United States, both released seasons are available to stream on Paramount+. CBS’s official show page lists Matlock as “NOW STREAMING” and includes two seasons.
The original series and the CBS reboot are separate productions, so viewers looking for Andy Griffith’s Ben Matlock should not assume that the availability of the new show includes every episode of the 1986–1995 series.
What is the story about?
The visible premise follows Madeline “Matty” Matlock, a highly capable older attorney who re-enters the workforce and obtains a position at Jacobson Moore. Her age and unassuming manner make some colleagues underestimate her. She uses that perception to observe people, find inconsistencies and move through complicated cases without appearing to be the most powerful person in the room.
Matty works under Olympia Lawrence, a senior attorney and major rainmaker at the firm. Olympia’s former husband, Julian Markston, is also connected to Jacobson Moore as the son of the firm’s head. Younger associate Sarah Franklin becomes another important part of Matty’s professional environment.
That workplace setup gives the show two tracks. Individual episodes use legal cases as the immediate problem, while the larger story follows Matty’s private investigation into Jacobson Moore.
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Spoiler: Matty Matlock’s real identity explained
The following section spoils the pilot and the show’s central premise.
“Madeline Matlock” is an assumed identity. Matty is actually Madeline Kingston, a wealthy widow whose daughter died after becoming addicted to opioids.
Kingston believes Jacobson Moore concealed evidence connected to the Wellbrexa matter. In her view, that evidence could have helped prevent her daughter’s death. She therefore adopts the Matlock identity and deliberately gets hired by the firm, using her position inside Jacobson Moore to investigate the suspected cover-up.
This twist is why the show is more than a straightforward legal reboot. Matty is not simply trying to win cases in the style of Ben Matlock. She is conducting a long-term investigation while managing office politics, professional relationships and the risk of exposing who she really is.
Who is in the cast?
| Actor | Character |
|---|---|
| Kathy Bates | Madeline “Matty” Matlock / Madeline Kingston |
| Skye P. Marshall | Olympia Lawrence |
| Jason Ritter | Julian Markston |
| Leah Lewis | Sarah Franklin |
| Sam Anderson | Edwin Kingston |
| Aaron Harris | Alfie Kingston |
Bates is the anchor of the series, playing both sides of Matty’s public persona: the apparently harmless older recruit and the determined woman working under an assumed name. The supporting cast supplies the firm’s competing loyalties and the family connections surrounding the Wellbrexa investigation.
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What happens in Season 2?
Season 2 continued the Wellbrexa investigation and pushed the tension between Matty, Olympia and Julian further. The season remained focused on the firm’s effort to expose Senior’s role in the alleged Wellbrexa cover-up.
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The season ended with a two-hour finale on April 23, 2026. CBS’s episode guide identifies the conclusion as Season 2, Episode 16, titled “Matty Matlock.”
The finale gives the series a significant point from which to continue, but CBS has not released a detailed Season 3 synopsis. Viewers should therefore distinguish between what Season 2 established and what remains speculation about the next chapter.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is there a trailer?
Yes. CBS released an official Season 1 trailer introducing Bates as Matty and establishing Jacobson Moore as the show’s main setting. Its description presents the series as a new CBS drama inspired by the classic Matlock.
CBS also released a Season 2 trailer before the October 2025 return. There is currently no confirmed Season 3 trailer. A trailer is normally released closer to a confirmed premiere window, so its absence is consistent with CBS not yet giving Season 3 an exact launch date.
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Watch the official Season 1 trailer on YouTube.
Watch the official Season 2 trailer on YouTube.
What is confirmed about Season 3?
- Renewal: CBS has ordered a third season.
- Broadcast window: It is planned for the 2026–27 broadcast season.
- Scheduling position: CBS has listed it as a midseason returning series rather than a fall 2026 show.
- Lead star: Kathy Bates remains the central star.
The following details are still unconfirmed:
- An exact premiere date
- The number of episodes
- A complete Season 3 cast announcement
- An official trailer
- A full plot synopsis
The most reliable places to check for updates are CBS’s official Matlock page and Paramount Press Express, rather than unsourced scheduling claims or unofficial trailer uploads.
FAQ
Is the new Matlock connected to the Andy Griffith series?
It is a reimagining inspired by the 1986–1995 series, not a continuation of its storyline. Andy Griffith played Ben Matlock in the original; Kathy Bates plays the new character Madeline “Matty” Matlock.
When will Matlock Season 3 premiere?
CBS has not announced an exact date. Season 3 is planned for the 2026–27 broadcast season and is listed as a midseason returning series.
Where can I stream Matlock?
Both released seasons are available on Paramount+ in the United States. CBS’s official show page lists two seasons as available to stream.
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What is Matty Matlock’s secret?
Matty is actually Madeline Kingston, a wealthy widow investigating Jacobson Moore over its alleged concealment of evidence in the Wellbrexa matter. She believes the evidence could have helped prevent her daughter’s opioid-related death.
The Bottom Line
Matlock is a Kathy Bates-led legal mystery that uses the classic title as a starting point rather than continuing the original show. Seasons 1 and 2 are streaming on Paramount+, Season 2 ended on April 23, 2026, and CBS has renewed the series for a midseason Season 3 in the 2026–27 broadcast year. The exact premiere date, trailer and full story for Season 3 have not yet been announced.
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