Kathy Bates stars in top new TV series ‘Matlock’ – Season 1 finale success

Kathy Bates is on fire in the hit TV show Matlock! The CBS legal drama has officially become the top new series on TV, pulling in an impressive average of 17 million viewers across both the broadcast network and Paramount+ in the Live+35 ratings category. That means it’s the second most-watched series overall, just behind CBS’ Tracker with Justin Hartley.

The season finale on April 17 was a nail-biter, drawing in 5.6 million viewers and claiming the top spot for primetime that night. Matlock is a consistent winner in its competitive 9 p.m. time slot, delivering 9.67 million viewers in broadcast alone with live plus seven-day ratings. That’s a whopping 53 percent increase from last year in the same time slot.

Kathy Bates shines as Madeline “Matty” Matlock, a widowed lawyer who returns to work after her husband’s gambling debts devastate her financially, or so she thinks. In reality, she’s Madeline Kingston, a wealthy grandmother grieving the loss of her daughter to an opioid overdose. Now, she’s searching for truth and justice within the law firm she holds responsible.

Bates’ co-star, Skye P. Marshall, plays powerhouse attorney Olympia Lawrence and describes Bates as down-to-earth and supportive, always lifting up everyone around her. The show digs into a new legal case each week while uncovering the mystery of Matty’s true identity and the missing case files related to her daughter.

Bates’ outstanding performance has earned her a 2025 Critics Choice Award, along with nominations for a Golden Globe and SAG Award. Plus, she’s the frontrunner for Best Drama Actress at the 2025 Emmys according to Gold Derby. The good news is, Matlock has been renewed for a second season, and you can catch all the episodes streaming on Paramount+.Fans are raving about the show, praising the writing, the cases, and of course, Kathy Bates’ incredible acting. People can’t wait for Season 2, and it looks like Matlock is here to stay!