What Happened to Matlock (TV series)?
The 'Matlock' television series originally aired from 1986 to 1995, starring Andy Griffith as the titular criminal defense attorney. It was successfully rebooted in 2024 with Kathy Bates in a gender-flipped lead role, which has since been renewed for a third season, set to premiere in midseason 2027 with a new storyline. The reboot has garnered critical acclaim and strong streaming performance.
Quick Answer
The original 'Matlock' series, starring Andy Griffith, ran for nine seasons from 1986 to 1995. In 2024, CBS launched a critically acclaimed reboot starring Kathy Bates as Madeline 'Matty' Matlock, a retired lawyer who infiltrates a prestigious firm to expose corruption. The reboot successfully concluded its second season on April 23, 2026, wrapping up its central 'Wellbrexa' storyline. It has been renewed for a third season, which will feature a creative reset, a time jump, and a new overarching mystery, with its premiere slated for midseason 2027.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline14 events
Original 'Matlock' Series Premieres on NBC
The legal drama 'Matlock', starring Andy Griffith as defense attorney Ben Matlock, debuts with a pilot movie on NBC.
Original 'Matlock' Series Concludes on NBC
After six seasons, NBC cancels 'Matlock', leading to its move to another network.
Original 'Matlock' Moves to ABC
The series is picked up by ABC, continuing its run for additional seasons.
Original 'Matlock' Series Finale Airs
The original 'Matlock' series concludes its nine-season run on ABC.
CBS Announces 'Matlock' Reboot Development
CBS announces a remake of 'Matlock' is in development, with Jennie Snyder Urman attached to write the pilot and Kathy Bates as a potential star.
CBS Orders 'Matlock' Reboot to Series
The 'Matlock' remake, starring Kathy Bates, officially receives a series order from CBS.
Kathy Bates-Led 'Matlock' Reboot Premieres (Sneak Peek)
A sneak peek of the new 'Matlock' series, starring Kathy Bates as Madeline 'Matty' Matlock, airs on CBS.
Reboot 'Matlock' Timeslot Premiere
The new 'Matlock' series begins its regular timeslot run on CBS.
Reboot 'Matlock' Renewed for Season 2
CBS quickly renews the Kathy Bates-led 'Matlock' for a second season, demonstrating early success.
Reboot 'Matlock' Season 2 Premieres
The second season of the Kathy Bates-led 'Matlock' begins airing on CBS.
Reboot 'Matlock' Renewed for Season 3
CBS announces the renewal of 'Matlock' for a third season, ensuring its continuation.
CBS Announces Season 3 Midseason Premiere
CBS reveals that 'Matlock' Season 3 will be part of its midseason 2027 lineup, rather than a fall 2026 premiere.
Reboot 'Matlock' Season 2 Finale Airs, Concluding 'Wellbrexa' Arc
The two-hour Season 2 finale airs, bringing the central 'Wellbrexa' storyline to a close with major arrests and setting up a new direction for the series.
Reboot 'Matlock' Season 3 Expected Premiere
Season 3 is anticipated to premiere in midseason 2027, featuring a creative reset, a time jump, and a new overarching mystery.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
The 'Matlock' phenomenon began with its original run, a legal drama that captivated audiences from March 3, 1986, to May 7, 1995. Created by Dean Hargrove, the series starred Andy Griffith as Ben Matlock, a folksy but brilliant, high-priced criminal defense attorney based in Atlanta, Georgia. Matlock was known for his ability to uncover the true culprits in complex murder cases, often through dramatic courtroom reveals. The show aired for six seasons on NBC before moving to ABC for its final three seasons, totaling 9 seasons and 193 episodes (plus a pilot movie).
After decades off the air, the franchise was revitalized with a meta-reboot that premiered on CBS in 2024. Developed by Jennie Snyder Urman, this new iteration stars Kathy Bates as Madeline 'Matty' Matlock, a septuagenarian who, under the guise of an unassuming widow, infiltrates a prominent law firm, Jacobson Moore. Her true mission, revealed early in the series, is to expose the firm's complicity in covering up a pharmaceutical study (the 'Wellbrexa' case) that led to her daughter's death from an opioid overdose. The reboot quickly found success, with its first season earning a 90% 'Certified Fresh' rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
The series continued its strong run through its second season, which premiered on October 12, 2025. The central 'Wellbrexa' storyline reached its dramatic conclusion in a two-part finale that aired on April 23, 2026. This finale saw Matty, alongside allies Olympia Lawrence (Skye P. Marshall) and Julian Markston (Jason Ritter), successfully expose the corruption within Jacobson Moore, leading to significant arrests, including the firm's head, Senior (Beau Bridges), and Julian himself, who accepted responsibility for his involvement.
Looking ahead, CBS renewed the Kathy Bates-led 'Matlock' for a third season in January 2026. However, the conclusion of the 'Wellbrexa' case necessitates a significant creative shift. Showrunner Jennie Snyder Urman confirmed that Season 3 will undergo a 'creative reboot' with a time jump of six to nine months. Matty and Olympia are expected to leave Jacobson Moore and potentially start their own law firm, tackling new social justice cases. The decision to move the Season 3 premiere to midseason 2027 (Spring 2027 at the earliest) was made by Urman herself, allowing the writing team ample time to craft a compelling new overarching mystery and ensure the quality of the series. The series continues to be available for streaming on platforms like Paramount+, Apple TV, and Prime Video.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Matlock (TV series) made different choices?