Get ready to watch Academy Award-winner Kathy Bates as she picks up the mantle left behind by the legendary Andy Griffith when CBS debuts its loosely based iteration of “Matlock” this fall.
Airing Thursday nights at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT, the all-new adaptation follows Madeline (“Matty”) Matlock (Bates), a brilliant septuagenarian who achieved success in her younger years and decides to rejoin the workforce at a prestigious law firm where she uses her unassuming demeanor and wily tactics to win cases.
Although the series shares the same name as its predecessor, the show makes a point to note that the Matty character shares a familiar name with the original TV series, something that’s even brought up in the first episode.
Highlighted by music featuring Britney Spears (“Oops!… I Did It Again”), a newly released promo gives potential viewers their first real look at how Bates’ “Matlock” differs from the original series, proclaiming that the character is not as innocent as she appears. In fact, after joining a prestigious law firm, it’s revealed that she might have ulterior motives for gaining employment at her age when she seeks out information on a case that has long plagued her.
Ultimately, when it comes down to the work itself, Matty is assigned to Olympia (Skye P. Marshall), a senior attorney and key rainmaker with a thirst for justice. Meanwhile, Olympia’s ex-husband, Julian (Jason Ritter), who is the son of the head of the firm, finds himself intrigued by Matty and her clever skills.
As the series continues, Matty endeavors to establish herself in her new high-stakes world while working alongside the firm’s younger associates, including the charismatic Billy (David Del Rio) and the uber-ambitious Sarah (Leah Lewis).
On Sunday, September 22 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT, CBS with air a special sneak peek at the premiere episode of “Matlock,” followed by an encore airing on Thursday, October 10 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT. The series settles into its official timeslot with all-new episodes on Thursday, October 17 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT.
Check out an all-new sneak peek at “Matlock” below.
From showrunner Jennie Snyder Urman (“Jane the Virgin”), “Matlock” is a fresh take on a legal procedural with an overarching mystery. Bates and Urman are executive producers alongside Joanna Klein, Eric Christian Olsen, John Will and Kat Coiro.