“Matlock”: Season 1 (2025) starring Kathy Bates / Z-View
Matlock: Season 1 (2025)
Developed by Jennie Snyder Urman, based on Matlock by Dean Hargrove
Directors: Kat Coiro (Eps.1-2, 4, 6, 12, 14, 16, 18-19); Brad Silberling (Ep. 3); Marie Jamora (Ep. 5); Tessa Blake (Ep.7); Yangzom Brauen (Ep. 8); Daniel Willis (Ep. 9); Jennifer Lynch (Ep. 10); Hannah Michielsen (Ep. 11); Jude Weng (Ep. 13); Gina Lamar (Ep. 15); Hanelle Culpepper (Ep. 17)
Teleplay: Jennie Snyder Urman (Eps. 1-2); Nicki Renna (Ep. 3, 19); Jeffrey Lieber (Ep. 4, 14); Michelle Leibel (Ep. 5); Sara Rose Feinberg (Ep. 6, 11); Hennah Sekander (Ep. 7); Sheridan Watson (Ep. 8); John Lowe (Ep. 9); Lizzie Perrin & Nicki Renna (Ep. 10); David Aguilar & Hennah Sekander (Ep. 12); Michelle Leibel & Sheridan Watson (Ep. 13); Nicki Renna & Michelle Leibel (Ep. 15, 18); Jeffrey Lieber & Tommy Cook from a story by Tommy Cook (Ep. 16); Sarah Gertrude Shapiro (Ep. 17)
Starring: Kathy Bates, Skye P. Marshall, Jason Ritter, David Del Rio, Leah Lewis, Eme Ikwuakor, Aaron Harris, Sam Anderson, Beau Bridges, Patricia Belcher, Yael Grobglas, Piper Curda and Andrea Londo.
The Overview: Beware of Spoilers…
Retired lawyer, Madeline Kingston learns that someone in the prestigious law firm of Jacobson Moore hid evidence that would have saved her daughter’s life (as well as many thousands of others). Since the anonymous whistleblower didn’t name names, Madeline decides to take on a new identity as Madeline “Matty” Matlock.
Using her wiles, Matty gets a job at Jacobson Moore. They believe she is a retired attorney forced to go back to work to raise her grandson. Truth is, Matty is wealthy, and married. She and her husband are raising her grandson. Matty is an excellent lawyer and quickly proves valuable to the firm. Each case provides opportunities to learn the identity of the person who hid the valuable evidence. As she makes friendships, she sometimes struggles with the lies and deception required to keep her identity secret. As she gets closer to the truth, her boss begins to suspect something isn’t right with Matty.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
I never watched a single episode of the original Matlock, but decided to give this version a try. I’m glad I did.
I was concerned how they would have Matty’s lies and deceptions play out. Kudos to the writers for the way it was handled.
Kathy Bates is such a talented actress. Skye P. Marshall more than holds her own.
Matlock: Season 1 (2025) earns 4 stars. Bring on Season 2.