Matlock was one of the hit new shows of 2024. Case in point: It scored the first series renewal of the season after just two episodes aired this past fall. The Kathy Bates-led legal drama delivers its biggest bombshells of the season in its two-hour Season 1 finale on Thursday, April 17, on CBS. And it won’t be a long wait for Season 2.
Inspired by the Andy Griffith series of the same name but not a direct remake, Matlock stars Bates as Madeline “Matty” Matlock, a brilliant septuagenarian who achieved success in her younger years and decides to rejoin the work force at a prestigious law firm where she uses her unassuming demeanor and wily tactics to win cases. Matty is assigned to Olympia (Skye P. Marshall), a senior attorney and key rainmaker with a thirst for justice, Olympia’s ex-husband, Julian (Jason Ritter), the son of the head of the firm, is intrigued by Matty and her clever skills. As Matty endeavors to establish herself in her new high-stakes world, she works alongside the firm’s younger associates – the charismatic Billy (David Del Rio) and the uber ambitious Sarah (Leah Lewis).
The first episode revealed the show’s major twist: Matty is actually working undercover to uncover documents she believes were immorally buried by a lawyer at Jacobson Moore in order to keep opioids on the market. She’s fighting to avenge her daughter, who died of an opioid overdose. Matty has been trying to find out who buried the Wellbrexa documents all season long with her partners in crime, husband Edwin (Sam Anderson) and grandson Alfie (Aaron D. Harris). The Season 1 finale promises to reveal the culprit while setting up new mysteries. As showrunner Jennie Snyder Urman previously told TV Insider, “You get the answer to that central question, and then, we push forward into the next season.”
Here’s everything there is to know so far about Matlock‘s future.
When does Matlock Season 2 premiere?
Matlock‘s second season doesn’t have an exact release date yet, but CBS confirmed when renewing the series in October 2024 that Season 2 would be part of the 2025-2026 TV season. Given that, fans can expect the series to return as early as Fall 2025. It’s always possible that it could get a midseason premiere date, which would mean it would come out in January 2026 or after, but we’d bet that Matlock will continue to be a fall release.
How many episodes are in Matlock Season 2?
Season 1 had 18 episodes, so while it’s not confirmed as of the time of publication, it’s likely that Season 2 will follow suit with 18 episodes.
What time is Matlock on?
The two-hour Matlock Season 1 finale airs on Thursday, April 17, at 9/8c on CBS. Next-day streaming is available on Paramount+. Because of the extended episode, there will be no new episode of Elsbeth this week (find details on Elsbeth‘s final episodes of Season 2 here).
Who is in the Matlock Season 2 cast?
Matlock recurring and guest stars throughout Season 1 have included Beau Bridges, Eme Ikwuakor, Yael Grobglas, and more. The creator of Jane the Virgin, Jennie Snyder Urman, serves as showrunner. An official Season 2 cast list has not been announced, but expect Bates and Marshall to return alongside Anderson, Harris, Ritter, Lewis, and Del Rio.
Fans theorized that Ritter might be leaving the series after Season 1 due to his casting in HBO‘s upcoming DC comics series, Lanterns. But Ritter confirmed to TV Insider that he’ll be in Matlock Season 2 at PaleyFest 2025 in Hollywood in March 2025.
“[My mustache is] for another show that I’m working on called Lanterns,” Ritter said, chuckling. “Mustaches can be shaved off. As soon as I’m done [with Lanterns], I’m back to Matlock.”
That’s all there is to know about Matlock Season 2 for now, but stay tuned to TV Insider as we continue to report the latest updates.
Matlock, Season 1 Finale, Thursday, April 17, 9/8c, CBS
