No retirement yet for Kathy Bates as Matlock scores a Season 2 renewal! What's next for the show?

Matlock has become the first 2024-25 show to score a renewal, so what does this mean for Season 2 of the CBS drama?

Caution: This article contains SPOILERS for the first two episodes of Matlock. 

When CBS announced Matlock in 2023, it seemed to be a classic case of a reboot of an old TV show. The original Matlock aired on NBC from 1986 to 1992 and on ABC for three more seasons. It starred Andy Griffith as Ben Matlock, an attorney who used his age and charm to exonerate his clients in murder cases. 

The new take begins with Oscar-winner Kathy Bates as Madeline "Matty" Matlock, an aged attorney, joining the firm of Jacobson & Moore. Matty openly notes how her name is like the TV show and quickly proves how folks underestimating her helps her gain information to land a job. She also talked of her late husband and distant grandson.

However, the final moments of the premiere unveiled the fantastic twist: Matty is really Madeline Kingston, a wealthy woman living with her very much alive husband and loving grandson. She crafted this identity using her daughter's favorite TV show as a cover. The daughter died of an opioid overdose and Matty is convinced someone at Jacobson & Moore buried evidence that would have gotten opioids pulled years before. Thus, this entire ruse is to get the evidence.

The second episode built on that as Matty got closer to her bosses and made moves to try to access the files. It's a fantastic turn and speaking to USA Today, Bates said that the twist is what got her on board. 

"When the twist came at the end, suddenly I thought, 'Now, this is interesting to me. It had depth.'"

Showrunner Jeannine Snyder Urman also told USA Today that she pictured Matty as "imagine Kathy Bates in the role," so she was happy to land her. That's helped the show's success. 

How is Matlock doing to earn a renewal?

CBS was smart keeping the twist secret. They debuted the show on a special Sunday sneak preview on September 22nd, using NFL games as a lead-in. That earned a terrific 7.7 million total viewers. The show then debuted in its regular time slot of Thursdays at 9/8c which pulled in 6.4 million viewers. 

So it's no surprise the show has earned a season 2 renewal with CBS Entertainment President Amy Reisenbach speaking about it. 

"This reconceived Matlock was devised by Jennie Snyder Urman with a brilliant surprise plot twist and we knew we had something very special the moment we saw the first episode brought to life by the incredibly talented Kathy Bates. The audience reception and critical acclaim for it has been overwhelming. We can't wait to get started on a second season."

So with Season 2 set, just what does this mean for Matlock?

What will come for Matlock Season 2?

Season 1 will continue Matty's search for answers to who at Jacobson & Moore buried those files. She'll also take part in "cases of the week" while also trying to keep her secret. 

That becomes a challenge in Episode 3 when a case brings in the firm's jury consultant, Shae (Yael Grobglas), whos is referred to as a "human lie detector." Which is someone Matty doesn't want to meet. 

Urman promised USA Today that the main plot of Matty discovering who buried the files will be resolved by the end of Season 1. The question is if someone at the firm figures out Matty's secret and perhaps becomes an ally for her. 

The logical idea is Season 1 ends with Matty finding out who at the firm was responsible for hiding the files. While she figures her job is done, she realizes how much she actually likes working for the firm and so stays on, even if she has to win the trust of her co-workers, who are likely not going to react well to Matty lying to them all this time.

It's also likely the renewal gives the writers a chance to spotlight the other characters and throw in more fun legal cases. At least Bates seems inclined to keep it up. The actress had earlier teased the show would be "my last dance" but clarified to USA Today that she has no plans on quitting anytime soon. 

"At the time, I was feeling the difficulties of doing the show and living up to people's expectations. It was a truthful look into how I was feeling that night. But I wouldn't want to retire from this. This show has been such an unexpected gift, especially at my age."

So Matlock will continue for another year and allow Bates to continue her new act as a TV star while giving CBS another big hit.

Matlock airs Thursdays at 9/8c on CBS.