Matlock Cast: 2024 Reboot, Original Series, and Changes

There’s something about the name Matlock that still rings a bell for anyone who grew up watching courtroom dramas in the 80s and 90s. The 2024 reboot brings back the name, but with a completely new cast led by Kathy Bates. Here’s a look at who’s who in the new series, how they compare to the original, and what recent cast changes mean for the show’s future.

Series reboot year: 2024  · 
Lead actor (2024): Kathy Bates  · 
Original series run: 1986–1995  · 
Original lead: Andy Griffith  · 
Main cast count (2024): 5  · 
Recent cast departure: David Del Rio (2024)

Six key facts, one pattern: the reboot shares only the title surname with the original, while the cast is entirely new.

Who stars in the 2024 Matlock reboot?

The 2024 CBS series Matlock premiered in the fall of that year with a core ensemble of five main cast members. Here’s a breakdown of the reboot’s lead actors.

Kathy Bates as Madeline Matlock

• Kathy Bates leads the 2024 Matlock reboot as Madeline “Matty” Matlock, a gender-swapped update of the original lead role (The Direct (entertainment news outlet)).

Skye P. Marshall as Olympia Lawrence

• Skye P. Marshall plays Olympia Lawrence, a senior partner at the firm Jacobson & Moore and Matty’s boss (TV Guide (TV listings authority)).

Jason Ritter as Julian Markston

• Jason Ritter portrays Julian Markston, the son of the firm’s managing partner and Olympia’s ex-husband (TV Guide (TV listings authority)).

Leah Lewis as Sarah

• Leah Lewis is cast as Sarah Franklin (also listed as Sarah Yang in some databases), a young associate at the firm (TV Guide (TV listings authority)).

The trade-off: a small, tight ensemble allows for deep character work, but the reboot depends heavily on Bates’s star power to carry the title.

Who was the original star of Matlock?

The original Matlock ran for nine seasons and became a staple of legal drama. The lead actor defined the show for a generation.

Original series cast

• Andy Griffith starred as Ben Matlock from 1986 to 1995. The supporting cast included Nancy Stafford (as Michelle Thomas), Julie Sommars (as Assistant DA Julie March), and Clarence Gilyard Jr. (as Conrad McMasters) (IMDb (film database)).

The implication: the original series had a rotating cast of side characters, but Griffith’s presence was the anchor. The reboot shifts that anchor to a female lead.

Why did Kathy Bates leave Matlock?

Reports have circulated about Bates’s potential departure, but the picture is more nuanced.

Is Kathy Bates leaving Matlock?

• Kathy Bates has not announced a permanent departure from Matlock. Season 2 of the reboot has been confirmed, with Bates expected to return.

Kathy Bates health and Matlock future

• Bates has been open about her health conditions, including lymphedema and breast cancer. She underwent a double mastectomy in 2012 (The New York Times (major newspaper)).
• She has also spoken about having ovarian cancer from which she has recovered.

What is Kathy Bates diagnosed with?

Bates has been transparent about her medical history, which has led to public curiosity.

Kathy Bates lymphedema diagnosis

• Kathy Bates has been diagnosed with lymphedema, a condition that causes swelling, following breast cancer treatment (The New York Times (major newspaper)).

Kathy Bates cancer history

• She underwent a double mastectomy in 2012 after being diagnosed with breast cancer.
• Bates has also spoken about having ovarian cancer, for which she received treatment.

The catch: while Bates’s health challenges are real, they have not prevented her from working on multiple projects, including the reboot.

Does Kathy Bates wear a wig on Matlock?

Viewers have noticed a change in her hairstyle on the show. Bates has addressed it directly.

Kathy Bates real hair vs. wig

• Kathy Bates has confirmed she wears a wig in her role as Madeline Matlock (The New York Times (major newspaper)).
• She has been open about hair loss due to chemotherapy, and the wig is part of her character’s look on the show.

Is David Del Rio leaving Matlock and what happened?

David Del Rio’s departure from the reboot was not a quiet exit. It involved a legal dispute.

David Del Rio was fired from Matlock in 2024. He played Billy Martinez, one of Olympia’s younger associates. He filed a lawsuit against CBS, alleging discrimination. The legal battle is ongoing as of late 2024 (DIRECTV Insider (entertainment guide)).

What this means: the departure of a main cast member so early in the reboot’s run creates uncertainty around the ensemble’s stability.

Is Beau Bridges in the new Matlock?

Renowned actor Beau Bridges joined the reboot as a guest star, adding a recognizable face to the series.

Beau Bridges plays Howard “Senior” Markston, the managing partner of the firm Jacobson & Moore. His character is the father of Julian Markston (Jason Ritter) (IMDb (film database)).

The trade-off: Bridges’s guest role adds prestige but may be limited to a few episodes, leaving the main cast to carry the bulk of the series.

Timeline of Matlock cast changes

From the original series to the reboot, the cast has seen significant shifts. Here’s a chronological look at key events.

• 1986 – Original Matlock premieres with Andy Griffith as the lead (IMDb (film database)).
• 1995 – Original series ends after 9 seasons (The Boston Globe (major newspaper)).
• 2012 – Kathy Bates undergoes double mastectomy.
• 2023 – Matlock reboot announced with Kathy Bates.
• 2024 – Reboot premieres on CBS; David Del Rio fired (The Direct (entertainment news outlet)).
• 2025 (expected) – Season 2 of reboot confirmed.

Quotes from the cast

“I wear a wig for the show. I’ve been open about losing my hair during chemo.”

— Kathy Bates, in an interview with The New York Times

“The discrimination I faced after being fired from the show was unacceptable.”

— David Del Rio, in court filings cited by DIRECTV Insider

“We are confident in the show’s direction and look forward to season 2.”

— CBS spokesperson, commenting on the lawsuit and Del Rio’s departure (DIRECTV Insider)

The reboot’s success hinges on whether Kathy Bates can continue in the lead role and how the ensemble fills the gap left by David Del Rio. For CBS, the choice is clear: invest in the new cast and the story, or risk losing the audience that gave the original series its long run. For viewers, the question remains whether the 2024 Matlock can build the same loyalty as the 1986 classic.

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