Sep
Kathy Bates Unpacks the Shocking Twist in Matlock Premiere
Kathy Bates delves into the complexities of motherhood, the opioid crisis, and her character’s duplicitous nature in CBS’s Matlock, highlighting the challenges of portraying such a layered protagonist.
WARNING: Spoilers Ahead for Matlock‘s Premiere.
The premiere of Matlock concluded with a jaw-dropping revelation. For the first 40 minutes, Bates’s character, Matty Matlock, appears to be a struggling, widowed ex-attorney buried in debt and eager to cash in on big pharmaceutical cases. However, the truth unfolds: Matty is actually wealthy, shrewd, and secretly in love with her husband, who is very much alive, played by Lost’s Sam Anderson.
Instead of taking a bus from her modest apartment, Matty has a personal driver who whisks her to her expansive mansion—she only pretends to use public transport to maintain a façade.
Driven by a personal mission to infiltrate a major law firm and expose its complicity in the opioid epidemic, Matty is determined to bring those responsible to justice. “One of those three hid documents that could have taken opioids off the market 10 years earlier,” she asserts, eyeing a bulletin board filled with images of her colleagues, portrayed by Beau Bridges, Jason Ritter, and Skye P. Marshall. “I’m gonna figure out who knew what when, and then I’m gonna put them in jail.”
Matty’s quest is deeply personal; she reveals the painful loss of her daughter to addiction, stating, “I carry the weight of that loss every day. I’d do anything for my daughter.”
This duality adds a thrilling tension to her character, as she must skillfully maintain her innocent appearance while plotting her course. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Bates elaborates on the premiere’s twist and its implications for the series.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: What drew you to Matlock‘s themes?
KATHY BATES: It was crucial to illustrate how opioids impact people across all walks of life. It’s a long, arduous struggle that can affect anyone, often through no fault of their own.
What challenges does portraying a double life present?
The first challenge was ensuring it felt believable. I consulted a friend in the corporate world, asking if he thought someone could lead a life like Matty’s. He paused and confirmed, “Yeah, I could do it,” which surprised me.
Tracking her motivations and reactions throughout her mission is complex and requires deep thought. Our showrunner described it as a Rubik’s Cube, and piecing it all together is both fun and challenging.
What other hurdles does Matty face?
One significant challenge is that I don’t have children. Thankfully, working with Aaron D. Harris, who plays my grandson, has been delightful. I once confided to my niece that I wasn’t sure I could be so devious, and she passionately reminded me that a mother’s love can be fierce. I’ve spoken with others who would go to great lengths to protect their children.
What drives Matty emotionally?
Guilt profoundly influences Matty. She carries the burden of having failed her daughter, feeling she couldn’t win the battle against addiction. It’s reminiscent of Jacob Marley from A Christmas Carol—she drags that guilt around. After a decade of grieving, Matty has spent the last couple of years devising a plan with her grandson, finding excitement in their pursuit of justice.
Is Matty’s work fueled by more than just her personal mission?
Returning to work unexpectedly rekindles her passion. Initially, she forgot the human element involved in the legal cases she would handle. There’s a moment in the pilot when she realizes, “I can’t do this. These are real people.” But as she immerses herself in her work, she finds fulfillment. It aligns with the adage for those in mourning: to do something for others and step out of your own way.
Matty loved being a lawyer before her daughter’s death; this new chapter reawakens her joy in the profession. Navigating her secret mission while rediscovering her passions adds complexity to her journey, deepening her relationships and evoking memories of her daughter in the young people she encounters.
This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.
Matlock continues with new episodes on Thursdays starting October 17 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CBS.
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