Matlock 2024: The Must-Watch Reboot That’s Crushing Rotten Tomatoes Score

by

It’s not guaranteed that every television revival will shine, but the 2024 CBS revival of Matlock has certainly set a high standard due to its captivating narrative, well-rounded characters, and engaging storytelling. Throughout TV history, there have been numerous attempts at reviving shows with varying outcomes. Regrettably, while some reboots have managed to endure, others have faded into irrelevance. The success or failure of a television revival can hinge on several factors such as the audience’s ability to relate to the revival compared to the original, the similarities between the revival and the original, and the talent and appeal of the revival’s cast.

From the very first episode of the revived Matlock, broadcasted in Sept. 2024, it was evident that the show was poised for success. The premiere episode itself demonstrated signs of greatness that persisted throughout season 1 and culminated in its conclusion in Apr. 2025. Spectators and critics alike are already praising the series, and with a flawless rating on Rotten Tomatoes, it’s easy to understand why.

Gender-Swapping Matlock’s Main Character Makes Sense

Kathy Bates Steals the Show as Madeline “Matty” Matlock

The main contrast between the original Matlock series from 1986 and the future version in 2024 lies in their protagonists. The original series features Ben Matlock, a male criminal defense attorney, played by Andy Griffith. In the initial run of Matlock, Ben was an eccentric character who was generally well-liked but could be difficult to work with, and he charged an exorbitant $100,000 fee (equivalent to approximately $290,000 in 2025). In the upcoming 2024 Matlock series, a character named Madeline “Matty” Matlock (whose real name is Madeline Kingston) takes center stage. Similar to Ben, Matty exhibits some similar traits, but she is far from easy to manipulate.

While it may not be a consistent approach in every case, casting Kathy Bates as Matlock in the reboot was an outstanding choice. Her portrayal of Matty presents a timid and seemingly helpless demeanor towards others, yet this is merely a facade. What other Matlock characters fail to grasp is that Matty’s act is a clever ruse intended to gather as much information as possible. In truth, Matty strategically employs her femininity and advanced age to her advantage, making the character not only endearing but also relatable.

In a scene from the pilot episode of Matlock, Matty remarks, “There’s an interesting phenomenon when women grow older. We become almost unnoticeable,” he says, which proves beneficial since no one anticipates our approach.

Matlock’s Reboot Gives Supporting Characters a Voice

Matlock’s Colleagues at Jacobson Moore Have Extensive Backstories

In the revamped version of Matlock, Matty’s colleagues and family members are given more depth compared to their portrayal in the original series. Characters like Sarah and Billy, who are just listed as junior associates in Jacobson Moore’s law firm, have their own individual storylines that enhance their characters. For instance, Sarah showed unexpected kindness towards a dementia patient, which led to her offering legal advice. Meanwhile, Billy’s rollercoaster relationship culminated in an unexpected pregnancy reveal at the end of season 1. Moreover, the divorce and custody battle between Olympia and Julian over their daughter takes center stage in the Matlock reboot.

Matlock (2024) Character Portrayed By Also Appears In
Madeline Matlock Kathy Bates Misery, Titanic
Olympia Skye P. Marshall Black Lightning, Good Sam
Julian Jason Ritter Parenthood, Gravity Falls
Sarah Leah Lewis Elemental, The Half of Us
Billy David Del Rio Pitch Perfect, Geek Charming
Shae Banfield Yael Grobglas Jane the Virgin, Reign
Edwin Kingston Sam Anderson Friends, Forrest Gump
Howard “Senior” Markston Beau Bridges The Fabulous Baker Boys, The Millers

1986 saw the television series Matlock run for nine seasons, but many of its episodes didn’t delve deeply or offer substantial storylines because their primary purpose was to assist Ben. In Andy Griffith’s Matlock, Ben had two daughters, Charlene and Leanne – Charlene made an appearance only in the first season, while not much about Leanne was disclosed except that she was divorced. Michelle Thomas was frequently seen as a legal associate working for Ben, similar to Leanne, only a few intriguing details were shared about Michelle, such as her being a polymath.

Matlock (2024) Pays Homage to Matlock (1986) In The Best Way

The Reboot of Matlock References Its Predecessor Flawlessly

In the new version of Matlock airing in 2024, the show references the original 1986 series in a distinctive manner. This homage to the past is similar to when characters acknowledge the TV show or movie they’re part of. Interestingly, this reboot pays a subtle tribute to the Matlock series that ran from 1960 to 1968 – if viewers aren’t careful, they might miss it. In essence, the Matlock (2024) storyline incorporates the original 1986 Matlock series as a part of its universe, and the character Matty derives her alias from Ben Matlock.

In a surprising twist, the revival of Matlock incorporates elements from the 1986 series right from the beginning. At first glance, Matty appears as a destitute widow aiming to re-enter the game for monetary reasons, but in truth, she is a wealthy woman. However, her real motivation isn’t money; it’s a quest to uncover a Wellbrexa study that potentially could have prevented her daughter’s tragic overdose death. In an unsettling dream, Matty fears her identity might be exposed due to mistakenly stating the original Matlock series ended in 1992 instead of 1995. Before the dream transitions to reality, a quick glimpse shows Matty wearing Ben’s old suit, hinting at the intricate connection between the two series.

Is There Going To Be Another Season of Matlock (2024)?

Season 1 of Matlock (2024) Concluded With Quite the Cliffhanger

In the first season of Matlock, the plot takes numerous unexpected turns right up until the end. When it’s Julian who is exposed as the (foreseeable) thief of the Wellbrexa documents, he has a pivotal conversation with Olympia that appears to alter the course of events. Olympia, upon listening to Julian’s plea to discard the file, fails to meet her scheduled appointment with Matlock. Rather than encountering Olympia, Matlock is surprisingly greeted by Alfie’s alleged father instead.

Instead of waiting for Olympia to follow Julian’s desires or alert Matlock about her findings, we might learn which choice she makes. Also, unveiling Alfie’s real father and understanding how his character’s entrance could disrupt Matlock’s assignment are other mysteries that fans of Matlock may soon find answers to. Fortunately, given that the show has been renewed for another season, it is expected that Matlock season 2 will air during fall in the 2025-2026 television schedule, but a specific release date has yet to be confirmed by CBS.

As a passionate advocate for the upcoming 2024 revival of Matlock, I can confidently say that this renewal signifies an extraordinary leap forward for the new series and its talented actors. Not only has it ignited excitement for the original Matlock, but its overwhelming success has sparked a resurgence in interest for the 1986 series.

In fact, due to the incredible reception, all seasons of the original Matlock were re-aired on CBS last January. The reboot cleverly takes the source material of the original and gives it a fresh twist, setting it apart from any previous attempts. With a strong, dynamic cast, this revival promises an engaging and unique viewing experience for fans old and new alike.

Read More

2025-04-29 01:07