Still from Matlock Season 1 Episode 1 of Kathy Bates as Madeline Matlock. Preview — Matlock Season 1 Episode 1: Who is Madeline Matlock? Still from Matlock Season 1 Episode 1 of Kathy Bates as Madeline Matlock.

Preview — Matlock Season 1 Episode 1: Who is Madeline Matlock?

Sarah Fields Matlock, Previews

After a delay caused by the 2023 writers’ strike, the Kathy Bates-led series Matlock is finally making its debut on CBS with Matlock Season 1 Episode 1, “Pilot.”

Bates stars as Madeline Matlock, a brilliant attorney who was successful when she was younger but has been out of the game for years. When her circumstances change, Matty dusts off her old legal skills and gets herself a job at a prestigious law firm. 

Still from Matlock Season 1 Episode 1 of Jason Ritter as Julian Monroe.
Matlock — Pilot — Pictured (L-R): Jason Ritter as Julian Monroe. Photo: Brooke Palmer/CBS ©2023 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

There, she meets Olympia, played by Skye P. Marshall, a senior attorney who isn’t immediately won over by Matty’s charm. There is also Julian, played by Jason Ritter, the son of the head of the firm, who also happens to be Olympia’s ex-husband.

While the series is inspired by the beloved show starring Andy Griffith, it’s clear from the trailer that this isn’t a simple reboot of a classic.

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Like Andy Griffith’s character, Matty will use her razor-sharp wit and unassuming demeanor to catch people off guard and win cases. But there is much more to this version of Matlock than meets the eye.

Are you ready to discover who Madeline Matlock is and what secrets she might have?

Check out the photos and promo video below for a preview!

Episode description: After achieving success in her younger years, brilliant septuagenarian Madeline Matlock uses her unassuming demeanor to make her way into a position at a prestigious law firm, Jacobson Moore

Written by: Jennie Snyder Urman
Directed by: Kat Coiro

Photos from Matlock Season 1 Episode 1:
Still from Matlock Season 1 Episode 1 of Beau Bridges as Senior.
Matlock — Pilot — Pictured (L-R): Beau Bridges as Senior. Photo: Sonja Flemming/CBS ©2024 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Still from Matlock Season 1 Episode 1 of Leah Lewis as Sarah Yang and David Del Rio as Billy Martinez pictured from left to right.
Matlock — Pilot -– Pictured (L-R): Leah Lewis as Sarah Yang and David Del Rio as Billy Martinez. Photo: Brooke Palmer/CBS ©2023 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Still from Matlock Season 1 Episode 1 of Skye P. Marshall as Olympia.
Matlock — Pilot — Pictured (L-R): Skye P. Marshall as Olympia. Photo: Brooke Palmer/CBS ©2023 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Still from Matlock Season 1 Episode 1 of Eme Ikwuakor as Elijah Walker.
Matlock — Pilot -– Pictured (L-R): Eme Ikwuakor as Elijah Walker. Photo: Brooke Palmer/CBS ©2023 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Still from Matlock Season 1 Episode 1 of Skye P. Marshall as Olympia and Matt Baram as Ezra Radcliffe pictured from left to right in a courtroom.
Matlock — Pilot — Pictured (L-R): Skye P. Marshall as Olympia and Matt Baram as Ezra Radcliffe. Photo: Brooke Palmer/CBS ©2023 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Still from Matlock Season 1 Episode 1 of Sarah Yang as Leah Lewis.
Matlock — Pilot — Pictured (L-R): Sarah Yang as Leah Lewis. Photo: Steve Wilkie/CBS ©2023 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Still from Matlock Season 1 Episode 1 of Kathy Bates as Madeline Matlock.
Matlock — Pilot — Pictured (L-R): Kathy Bates as Madeline Matlock. Photo: Brooke Palmer/CBS ©2023 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Promo video:

YouTube video

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What are your hopes for this episode of Matlock? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

Matlock airs Sundays at 9/8c on CBS, streaming the next day on Paramount+.

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Sarah is an obsessive geek who likes to get into the weeds and over think things. She is passionate about Sci-Fi and comics and is a giant classic film nerd. Sarah cares deeply about media representation and the power of telling diverse stories. When she's not writing or watching her favorite shows she spends her days working in the non-profit world trying to make life a little better for those that need some extra help.