When CBS announced a reimagining of the classic legal drama Matlock, audiences were curious to see how the beloved 1980s series starring Andy Griffith would translate to the modern screen. Developed by showrunner Jennie Snyder Urman, the new iteration completely flips the script. Instead of a folksy Southern defense attorney, the series centers on Madeline “Matty” Matlock, a brilliant septuagenarian who enters a prestigious New York law firm under a carefully crafted, unassuming persona.
The critical and commercial success of the show—leading to rapid renewals through its third season—is due in massive part to its stellar ensemble. Below, we take an expansive look at the phenomenal cast of Matlock, the characters they bring to life, and how they drive this gripping legal mystery forward.
The Core Main Cast of Cast of Matlock
The series relies on a dynamic push-and-pull between fresh-faced corporate associates, ambitious cast of Matlock seasoned partners, and an older woman harboring a massive secret.
Kathy Bates as Madeline “Matty” Cast of Matlock (Madeline Kingston)
Academy and Emmy Award winner Kathy Bates anchors the entire series with a masterclass performance. To the world at Jacobson Moore, she plays a broke, slightly scattered widow returning to the workforce to pay off her late husband’s gambling debts.
In reality, her true identity is Madeline Kingston, a wealthy woman who has infiltrated the corporate firm for one distinct purpose: to seek retribution for the opioid overdose of her daughter, Ellie. Bates expertly balances the warm, cast of Matlock invisible “granny” facade with the sharp, calculating, and grief-stricken mother operating behind closed doors.
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Skye P. Marshall as Olympia Lawrence Cast of Matlock
Skye P. Marshall portrays Olympia Lawrence, a fierce, track-minded junior partner at Jacobson Moore who reluctantly becomes Matty’s boss. When the series begins, Olympia is navigating a messy divorce from her husband while simultaneously gunning for a senior partner slot. Olympia represents the ideal corporate attorney—tough, unwavering, and protective of her clients—making her evolving bond and ultimate friendship cast of Matlock with Matty emotionally complex.
Jason Ritter as Julian Markston Cast of Matlock
Jason Ritter plays Julian Markston, a senior partner at the firm and Olympia’s soon-to-be ex-husband. Julian is a character defined by intense gray areas. Caught between wanting to be a fundamentally good person and bowing to the staggering corporate pressures exerted by his powerful father, Julian brings a profound sense of moral ambiguity and cast of Matlock family loyalty to the boardroom floor.
Leah Lewis as Sarah Franklin Cast of Matlock
Leah Lewis plays Sarah Franklin, an ambitious, hyper-focused first-year associate at Jacobson Moore. Initially, Sarah is driven strictly by an eagerness to impress her superiors, attempting to mirror Olympia’s ruthless careerism. Over the course of the seasons, Sarah undergoes significant personal maturity, developing a sharper moral compass as she works cast of Matlock side-by-side with Matty.
David Del Rio as Billy Martinez
Completing the trio of younger associates is David Del Rio as Billy Martinez. Billy provides an essential idealistic energy to the group. He works tightly alongside Sarah and Matty to crack difficult cases, acting as a crucial component of Olympia’s legal unit before his cast of Matlock character departs the firm in the second season.
The Kingston Family: Matty’s Secret Support System
Behind Matty’s corporate espionage is her dedicated family, who cast of Matlock help her manage her double life and technical operations.
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Sam Anderson as Edwin Kingston: Matty’s deeply devoted, real-life husband. Edwin holds the home front together, managing the emotional toll of their shared grief while acting as Matty’s ultimate sounding board.
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Aaron Harris as Alfie Kingston: Matty’s genius teenage grandson. Alfie acts as the technical brains of the sting operation, manipulating digital landscapes and executing data-gathering tasks to assist his grandmother’s covert investigation.
Notable Recurring and Guest Stars Cast of Matlock
The ecosystem of Matlock is further enriched by high-caliber recurring actors who cast of Matlock disrupt the status quo:
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Beau Bridges as Howard “Senior” Markston: The powerful managing partner of the firm, Julian’s father, and the imposing patriarch who casts a massive shadow over the legal operations of Jacobson Moore.
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Yael Grobglas as Shae Banfield: The firm’s incredibly perceptive jury consultant who uses psychology to tilt trials in their favor.
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Justina Machado as Eva: Introduced in season 2, Eva is Senior’s formidable fourth ex-wife, a brilliant attorney, and a member of the executive committee.
FAQs
Is the new Matlock related to the original 1986 series?
Yes, but in an incredibly meta way. The 2024 series takes place in a world where the original Andy Griffith Matlock show existed as a popular television broadcast. Madeline Kingston intentionally uses the fake surname “Matlock” to play into the folksy, unassuming stereotype of the classic TV lawyer, weaponizing people’s nostalgia to make them underestimate her abilities.
Who plays the lead character in the Matlock reboot?
The series stars Academy and Emmy Award-winning legendary actress Kathy Bates as Madeline “Matty” Matlock (Madeline Kingston). Bates has openly expressed that the layered complexity of the character drew her to the role.
Why did David Del Rio leave the show?
David Del Rio, who played the charismatic first-year associate Billy Martinez, officially exited the series during the second season. His character was written out of the main narrative following a major shakeup at the Jacobson Moore law firm.
How many seasons of the new Matlock are there?
Following its highly-rated debut in late 2024, CBS aggressively backed the series. Matlock successfully completed its sophomore run and was officially renewed for a third season, allowing showrunner Jennie Snyder Urman to continue expanding the complex legal and emotional arcs of the Kingston family.