Kathy Bates did call Matlock her “last dance” in September 2024, but days later she clarified that she had been close to retiring before she read the script—and then wanted the show to run for years. Her later comments in August 2025 showed she still wanted to continue with the series at that time. None of these statements confirms that she will retire when Matlock ends or establishes her plans as of October 2026.
Why did Kathy Bates say Matlock was her “last dance”?
In a September 9, 2024, interview with The New York Times, as reported by the Los Angeles Times, Bates described the CBS series as her “last dance” and said it would be her final screen project. That statement is the basis for headlines saying she would retire after the reboot.
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In the series, Bates plays Madeline “Matty” Matlock, an older lawyer who returns to work at a law firm and uses her age and wit as part of her approach to getting hired. The show is inspired by the Andy Griffith drama, but the pilot’s twist gives this version a distinct premise, as the Television Academy notes.
Did Bates change her mind about retiring?
Her Emmy Awards comments on September 15, 2024, clarified the timeline. Speaking to ABC’s George Pennacchio, Bates said the earlier remark was “kind of a misunderstanding”: she had “one foot out the door” until she read Jennie Snyder Urman’s script. After that, she said, “I want the show [‘Matlock’] to run for years and years.” ABC reported the exchange here.
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That is not quite the same as announcing that she would never retire. Bates explained that she had been close to leaving before the role changed her mind about taking on the series; her wish for Matlock to continue described her enthusiasm for the show, not a retirement date after it ends. CBS News also reported that she had considered semi-retirement before the part came along in 2024.
What did Bates say about Matlock in 2025?
In an August 2025 interview with the Los Angeles Times, Bates said, “I wanted to keep going,” and the article reported that rehearsals for season 2 had begun. Those comments show that she wanted to continue with the series then. They are dated statements, not confirmation of her retirement plans in October 2026.
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Does Bates plan to retire when the reboot ends?
The statements cited here do not establish that she will retire when Matlock ends. The clearest account is time-specific: Bates had been considering leaving screen work, accepted the role after reading the script, and later said she wanted the show to continue. Her September 2024 “last dance” wording should be read alongside—not instead of—her clarification days later.
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