What Happened to Matlock (TV series franchise)?

The original 'Matlock' series, a legal drama created by Dean Hargrove, first premiered on NBC on March 3, 1986. It starred Andy Griffith as Ben Matlock, a folksy, high-priced criminal defense attorney based in Atlanta, Georgia, known for his distinctive light gray suit and his habit of revealing the true culprit in dramatic courtroom confrontations. The show's format was often compared to 'Perry Mason,' another series created by Dean Hargrove. After six seasons on NBC, the series moved to ABC in November 1992, where it continued until its finale on May 7, 1995, completing a total of nine seasons and 193 episodes.

Following the conclusion of the original series, its star, Andy Griffith, remained a beloved figure in American television. Griffith passed away on July 3, 2012, at the age of 86, leaving behind a significant legacy in entertainment. The original 'Matlock' continued to be popular in syndication, airing on various networks like MeTV and being available on streaming platforms, maintaining its cultural presence for decades.

In a significant development for the franchise, CBS announced a reboot of 'Matlock' starring Academy and Emmy Award winner Kathy Bates. The new series premiered with a special preview on September 22, 2024, and officially on October 17, 2024. This reimagining features Bates as Madeline 'Matty' Matlock, a brilliant septuagenarian lawyer who returns to the workforce at a prestigious New York law firm. The twist of the series revealed that Matty, whose real name is Madeline Kingston, was actually infiltrating the firm with a hidden agenda: to seek justice for her daughter's opioid-related death, believing the firm concealed crucial evidence.

The Kathy Bates-led 'Matlock' quickly garnered attention and strong viewership. It was renewed for a second season in October 2024, shortly after its premiere. Season 2 premiered on October 12, 2025, and continued to explore Matty's mission, blending case-of-the-week procedural elements with a serialized mystery surrounding the 'Wellbrexa' case. The series was recognized as a top performer for CBS, drawing millions of multiplatform viewers.

As of September 13, 2026, the 'Matlock' reboot remains an active and evolving series. Its second season concluded with a two-hour finale on April 23, 2026, which wrapped up the central 'Wellbrexa' storyline. CBS renewed the show for a third season in January 2026. However, Season 3 will not be part of the fall 2026 schedule, instead being held for a mid-season 2026-2027 premiere, likely in early 2027. This delay is accompanied by a reduced episode count of 13, down from 19 in Season 1 and 16 in Season 2. Showrunner Jennie Snyder Urman confirmed that Season 3 will undergo a creative revamp, moving beyond the initial revenge plot to establish a new mystery and potentially a new law firm setting for Matty and her team. The series continues to be available for streaming on Paramount+ and select episodes on Pluto TV.