Created by Jennie Snyder Urman.
Matlock (2024 TV series) premiered on September 22, 2024 in the U.S.
Distributed by CBS Studios and streams on Paramount+.
Series Review
Matlock (2024) brings back the classic courtroom drama with a new twist.
Kathy Bates stars as Madeline “Matty” Matlock, a smart and determined lawyer who goes undercover at a law firm to find the truth about her daughter’s death.
Season 1 sets up the story, showing Matty’s risky plan and how she uses her wit and experience to outsmart powerful people.
The show mixes mystery, emotion, and social issues like greed and corruption.
Kathy Bates truly shines, making the series engaging and full of heart.
Season 2 builds on the story, revealing more secrets and adding new challenges for Matty.
The tension grows, and her double life becomes harder to keep.
Overall, Matlock is a strong and emotional legal drama.
It’s smart, modern, and worth watching, especially for Kathy Bates’ brilliant performance.
Ratings
• IMDb: 7.5/10
• Rotten Tomatoes: 95%
• Google Audience Score: 74% liked this TV show.
Matlock (TV Series) Actors
Kathy Bates as Madeline “Matty” Matlock / Madeline Kingston
DOB: June 28, 1948.
Bio: An Academy Award–winning American actress whose career spans film, television, and stage.
Renowned for her emotional depth and commanding presence, she has portrayed some of the most memorable characters in modern screen history.
Role: Madeline Kingston, a brilliant but underestimated attorney who rebrands herself under the alias “Matty Matlock.”
Disguised as a kindly widow, she infiltrates the powerful law firm Jacobson Moore to expose corruption tied to her daughter’s tragic opioid-related death.
Seasons: S1-2.
What to Expect: A lead performance that balances warmth and steel, Bates makes Matty sympathetic even when she’s manipulating everyone around her.
Interesting facts: Bates intentionally avoided rewatching the original Matlock series starring Andy Griffith, choosing instead to reinvent the role with her own tone and emotional truth.
Notable works: Misery, Fried Green Tomatoes, American Horror Story, Richard Jewell.
Skye P. Marshall as Olympia Lawrence
DOB: October 21, 1981.
Bio: American actress known for her dynamic screen presence and commanding performances in both drama and genre television.
Before pursuing acting, she served in the U.S. Air Force, an experience that shaped her discipline and work ethic.
After earning a degree in theater, she built her career through steady roles on network and streaming series.
Role: Olympia Lawrence, a sharp, ambitious junior partner at Jacobson Moore, the high-powered law firm where Matty Matlock embeds herself.
Olympia becomes Matty’s immediate superior, confident, career-focused, and constantly navigating the firm’s internal politics.
Seasons: S1-2.
What to Expect: A layered, emotionally intelligent performance that captures the balance between ambition and empathy.
Interesting facts: Marshall’s real-life background in the U.S. Air Force often informs the grounded discipline of her characters.
In 2024, she married fellow actor Edwin Hodge, noting in interviews that their shared commitment to storytelling and service keeps them grounded.
Notable works: Black Lightning, Good Sam, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.
Jason Ritter as Julian Markston
DOB: February 17, 1980.
Bio: American actor and producer known for his versatility across drama, comedy, and indie film.
The son of the late comedy legend John Ritter, Jason carved his own artistic path through emotionally rich and morally complex characters.
Role: Julian Markston, a senior partner at Jacobson Moore, the prestigious law firm at the heart of Matlock.
Julian’s smooth professionalism hides personal and ethical fractures that tie directly into Matty’s investigation.
Seasons: S1-2.
What to Expect: A complex and morally ambiguous performance from Ritter, mixing charm, quiet menace, and flashes of guilt.
Interesting facts: Ritter has spoken about how working opposite Kathy Bates was both intimidating and inspiring, calling her “a masterclass in subtlety and presence.”
Notable works: Joan of Arcadia, Kevin (Probably) Saves the World, Raising Dion.
David Del Rio as Billy Martinez
DOB: September 29, 1987.
Bio: American actor, director, and producer with an extensive background in both television and theatre.
A graduate of the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts, he built his reputation through energetic, charismatic performances in comedy and drama alike.
Role: Billy Martinez, a sharp and confident junior attorney at Jacobson Moore.
Billy’s ambition and charm make him a standout at the firm, while his relationships with both Matty and Olympia add romantic tension and moral grayness to the office politics.
Seasons: S1-2.
What to Expect: At first a charismatic junior lawyer, intended to become a more central figure until production changes.
Interesting facts: Del Rio is married and a Broadway vet; in fall 2025 he was the subject of widely reported personnel changes connected to an investigation.
Notable works: In the Heights (film), Grease Live!, The Baker and the Beauty.
Leah Lewis as Sarah Franklin
DOB: December 9, 1996.
Bio: Chinese-American actress and singer best known for her lead role in Nancy Drew and her breakout performance in the Netflix film The Half of It.
Born in Shanghai and raised in Florida, Lewis began acting as a child and built a steady career marked by versatility and warmth.
Role: Sarah Franklin (credited as Sarah Yang in some materials), a talented, idealistic associate at Jacobson Moore.
Sarah’s ambition and conscience often clash, making her both an observer and reluctant participant in the firm’s moral gray areas.
Seasons: S1-2.
What to Expect: A performance that mixes idealism with the real compromises young lawyers make in big firms.
Interesting facts: Lewis has spoken publicly about being proud to play complex Asian-American characters and said Matlock gave her a chance to stretch beyond earlier roles.
Notable works: The Half of It (Netflix), Nancy Drew (CW), Elemental.
Aaron Harris as Alfie Kingston
DOB: N/A.
Bio: Aaron D. Harris is an emerging young actor from Atlanta, Georgia, whose natural screen presence and emotional range have drawn early attention.
Matlock marks his first major television role, showcasing his ability to portray warmth, innocence, and emotional gravity beyond his years.
Role: Alfie Kingston, the beloved grandson of Madeline “Matty” Matlock (Kathy Bates).
Alfie is the emotional heart of the series, his late mother’s connection to an opioid-related case drives Matty’s entire mission and undercover reinvention.
Seasons: S1-2.
What to Expect: The presence of Alfie humanizes Matty’s ruthlessness, expect tender, protective scenes and plot turns tied to Alfie’s wellbeing.
Interesting facts: Harris is active on social media and trained in performing arts; Matlock is his first major network credit.
Notable works: Matlock (breakout network role).
Sam Anderson as Edwin Kingston
DOB: May 13, 1945.
Bio: American veteran character actor with a career spanning over four decades.
Known for his versatility and reliability, Anderson has appeared in a wide range of acclaimed television series and films, often portraying kindly, intelligent, or paternal figures.
Role: Edwin Kingston, Matty’s husband, who anchors her emotionally amid the chaos of her secretive mission inside the Jacobson Moore law firm.
Edwin’s quiet strength, gentle humor, and enduring love for Matty provide an emotional balance to the series’ darker legal and moral dilemmas.
Seasons: S1-2.
What to Expect: A warm, steadying supporting turn that adds family texture and gentle humor.
Interesting facts: Anderson has said in past interviews that he enjoys roles depicting “ordinary people caught in extraordinary situations.”
Notable works: Lost, Forrest Gump, Perfect Strangers.
Eme Ikwuakor as Elijah Walker
DOB: August 13, 1984.
Bio: American actor and producer best known for his commanding screen presence and versatility across genres.
With a background in track and field and a degree from the University of Colorado, he brings both physicality and intelligence to his roles.
Role: Elijah Walker, a sharp, quietly intense professional connected to the Jacobson Moore law firm.
His character’s past and loyalties complicate Matty’s investigation, adding tension and unpredictability to the legal drama.
Seasons: S1-2.
What to Expect: Confident physicality and credible supporting beats that deepen workplace dynamics.
Interesting facts: Eme is one of triplet brothers, his siblings Zane and AK Ikwuakor are also accomplished in their fields.
Before pursuing acting full-time, he was a Division I athlete and later shifted to the arts after encouragement from a college professor.
Notable works: Inhumans, On My Block, Extant, Hawaii Five-0.
Beau Bridges as Howard “Senior” Markston
DOB: December 9, 1941.
Bio: American actor, director, and producer from Hollywood’s legendary Bridges family.
With a career spanning over six decades, Bridges is celebrated for his versatility and grounded, heartfelt performances across film, television, and stage.
Role: Howard “Senior” Markston, the founding partner and patriarchal figure at the law firm Jacobson Moore.
As the firm’s moral and political anchor, his past decisions become central to Matty’s unfolding investigation.
Seasons: S1-2.
What to Expect: Layered elder-statesman work: equal parts charm, entitlement and institutional power.
Interesting facts: Bridges joined the series during late-stage pre-production, replacing an earlier casting choice.
Notable works: The Fabulous Baker Boys, The Descendants, Masters of Sex.
Yael Grobglas as Shae Banfield
DOB: May 31, 1984.
Bio: Israeli-French actress best known for her breakout role in Jane the Virgin, where she showcased both comedic flair and dramatic range.
Trained in classical acting at the Yoram Loewenstein Performing Arts Studio in Tel Aviv, Grobglas built a diverse career in Israeli television before breaking into Hollywood.
Role: Shae is a recurring presence whose connections to the firm and its clients provide plot pressure and intricate subtext.
Seasons: S1-2.
What to Expect: Smart, slightly sly work, someone who knows how legal games are played.
Interesting facts: Grobglas’s casting was hailed as a fun reunion for fans of serialized TV; she brings international roots (born in France/Israel) to her craft.
Notable works: Jane the Virgin, The Selection, Ha’i (The Island), Reign.
Jordyn Weitz as Kathryn Lawrence-Markston
DOB: N/A.
Bio: Jordyn Weitz is an emerging young performer whose growing résumé includes film and television work that highlights her natural presence and grounded emotion.
Role: Kathryn Lawrence-Markston, a member of the extended Markston family whose life is deeply affected by the law firm’s internal power struggles and scandals.
Seasons: S1-2.
What to Expect: Youthful energy and scenes that reveal how firm choices ripple through younger generations.
Interesting facts: The show populates its law-firm world with many younger actors to make office politics feel generational.
Notable works: Matlock (recurring television role).
Niko Nicotera as Joseph ‘Joey’ Danza
DOB: July 1, 1981.
Bio: Niko Nicotera is a versatile character actor best known for his work on Sons of Anarchy and other acclaimed television dramas.
He often plays men who blur the line between menace and sympathy, unpredictable, rough-edged, and compelling.
Role: Nicotera plays a mysterious man who steps forward claiming to be Alfie Kingston’s biological father.
His appearance sends shockwaves through Matty’s carefully managed world, challenging her family’s history and stirring new legal and emotional conflicts.
Seasons: S1-2.
What to Expect: A potentially combustible guest arc that injects real danger into family questions.
Interesting facts: Nicotera’s casting was teased in Season 2 publicity as a surprise complication for Matty.
Notable works: Sons of Anarchy, Sun Dogs, Father Stu.
More Actors
Season 1 (2024)
• Patricia Belcher as Mrs. Belvin.
• Shelby Mayes as Annie.
• Francisco Chacin as Stuart Gray.
• Piper Curda as Kira Yu.
Season 2 (2025)
• Andrea Londo as Simone.
• Julie Hagerty as Bitsy.
• Marley Shelton as Lydia Reed.
• Wendy Makkena as Lila.
FAQ – Matlock TV Series
How many seasons and episodes does it have?
The 2024 reboot of Matlock currently has 2 seasons and 21 episodes to date.
What is Matlock (2024) about?
A reimagined legal drama starring Kathy Bates as Madeline “Matty” Matlock, who goes undercover at a law firm to uncover the truth behind her daughter’s death.
Where was Matlock (2024) filmed?
Matlock (2024) was mainly filmed in Los Angeles, California, with some scenes shot in Atlanta, Georgia for added setting detail.
Where can I watch it?
New episodes air on CBS; the series streams on Paramount+.
What is the content rating / is it kid-friendly?
Matlock (2024) is rated TV-14, meaning it’s suitable for teens and adults but not ideal for young kids.
Conclusion
Matlock (2024) proves that classic stories can still feel fresh when done right.
Kathy Bates brings depth, humor, and strength to her role, making Madeline “Matty” Matlock one of the most memorable TV lawyers in years.
The show blends courtroom drama with mystery and heart, tackling real issues while keeping viewers entertained.
While some side stories could use more polish, the emotional core and strong writing make it worth watching.
For fans of smart legal dramas with strong female leads, Matlock is both nostalgic and new, a confident reboot that stands on its own.