Who does Kathy Bates play in the Matlock reboot? Exploring the CBS show's plot twist during her last case

Kathy Bates in Matlock (Image via CBS)
Kathy Bates in Matlock (Image via CBS)

Kathy Bates steps into the shoes of a sharp-witted lawyer in CBS’ Matlock reboot. Breathing new life into this legal drama, Bates brings a fresh perspective. Bates plays Madeline "Matty" Matlock, a septuagenarian attorney who is not to be taken lightly as she takes the courtroom by storm. She is intelligent and experienced.

But she keeps it all under wraps, harboring an intriguing secret that could lay out the entire storyline in the open. This Matlock reboot isn’t just some typical legal drama reboot. There lies a major plot twist that has fans wondering.

While this reboot is sure to bring back the old days' nostalgia of the original series, it does come with a modern twist. It asserts how age, experience, and wisdom are powerful weapons. Bates’ Matlock role shows her biggest strengths in a cutthroat legal world.

Here’s all about Kathy Bates’ character in the Matlock reboot and the jaw-dropping twist during her last case.

Disclaimer: This article contains major spoiler for the CBS show, Matlock. Reader discretion is advised.


Kathy Bates’ character in the CBS' Matlock reboot

Kathy Bates in Matlock (Image via CBS)
Kathy Bates in Matlock (Image via CBS)

In the new Matlock reboot, Kathy Bates plays Madeline “Matty” Matlock. She is old, no doubt, but an equally intimidating lawyer, her experience giving her an edge in the courtroom. Bates’ Matlock is not like the original Ben Matlock. Her character does not entirely entail dealing with legal battles; she also has personal battles to fight.

She returns to the legal world and works her way into a law firm brimming with younger lawyers. She initially appears to be a sweet older woman who does not seem able to handle the intense legal cases.

She is assigned to work under Olympia (Skye P. Marshall), a senior attorney. She shares her struggles as a broke widow of a lying, cheating, gambling husband and caretaker of her late daughter’s spoilt son.

After declining an invite from her associates Billy (David Del Rio) and Sarah (Leah Lewis), she catches a bus home. But she gets off soon after and walks into an alley, where she gets into a limo. The driver addresses her as “Mrs. Kingston,” and she is driven to a luxurious home. That’s when we learn that her husband is alive, and her loving grandson, Alfie, welcomes her.

Finally, in the Matlock reboot, it is revealed that Alfie helped his grandmother create an alternate identity and a new LinkedIn profile. They decided on the “Matlock” surname as a nod to Alfie’s late mother, Ellie’s favorite TV show. It was also chosen so Matty appears approachable to her colleagues at the firm.


The plot twist in CBS’ Matlock during her last case

Kathy Bates in Matlock (Image via CBS)
Kathy Bates in Matlock (Image via CBS)

The Matlock reboot shines because of the courtroom drama and the plot twist that leaves viewers questioning all they know about Madeline Matlock. It turns out that Matty is at the law firm on a personal mission.

Beneath that sweet demeanor lies a secret that turns out to be the reason why she is back in the legal world. She has a hidden agenda. Her determination leaves everyone in the firm astonished.

Every minute of the Matlock reboot makes it clear that Matty is only an “underdog” because she wants to appear that way. She uses that status to her advantage to strategize and use her sharp mind to uncover something.

In the Matlock reboot, Matty’s story is about proving herself and seeking justice for something personal. The emotional depth of the plot and the character make her multidimensional and relatable.

Her daughter died tragically from an opioid overdose. Reeling through her loss, Madeline Matlock launches her investigation to discover the truth. She finds out that the law firm had something to do with hiding away some important information that could have saved her daughter, Ellie.

If the opioids had been taken off the market sooner, her daughter would have been alive. On her radar is Olympia, her ex-husband Julian (Jason Ritter), and the firm’s founder Senior (Beau Bridges).

This twist redefines Madeline's character in the Matlock reboot and gears us up for the intense events in the following episodes. Her quest for justice captures her powerful essence and establishes her as a fierce yet charming character.


After its September's special preview, Matlock will premiere on CBS on October 17.

Stay tuned to Soap Central for more updates and detailed coverage.

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Edited by Priscillah Mueni