When will Matlock Season 2 be released? CBS shares major update about the Kathy Bates legal drama

Matlock fans are sure to be excited as CBS announced that the courtroom show with Kathleen Bates has been picked up for a second season, which will air in the 2025–26 season. This was one of many anouncements CBS made in its July 2025 fall lineup announcement, and it bodes well for all those who watched the first season of the show late last year in 2024.

Season 1 drew strong viewership across linear and streaming platforms, prompting an early renewal back in October 2024. Instead of waiting until midseason, CBS will give Matlock a jump‑start with a sneak‑peek episode on Sunday, October 12, 2025, at 8:30 p.m. ET.

This event falls on the opening night of “CBS Premiere Week,” when the network rolls out new and returning series. After that, regular episodes will air in its familiar Thursday 9 p.m. slot beginning October 16, 2025.

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Season 1 wrapped up in April 2025 with a two‑hour finale that revealed Jason Ritter’s character, Julian, had colluded with a pharmaceutical company. The new season will explore the fallout from that betrayal, research into Matty’s family secrets, especially concerning her grandson Alfie and follow budding romances among the junior lawyers. These plot threads promise to mix courtroom drama with ongoing character arcs in a way that echoes the show’s serialized approach.

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Kathy Bates leads a talented returning cast

Kathy Bates returns as Madeline “Matty” Matlock, bringing her signature mix of sharp wit and quiet determination to every case. She’ll be joined by Jason Ritter (Julian Markston), David Del Rio (Billy), Leah Lewis, Aaron Harris, and other familiar faces.

Producers have hinted at new guest stars to shake up the legal battles and internal firm politics. With Bates describing this role as one of her last major projects, viewers can expect a committed performance that remains grounded and human.

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Matlock season 2 joins a busy CBS fall lineup

This fall, the show will air alongside heavyweight franchises like NCIS (Tuesdays at 9 p.m.) and FBI (Mondays at 9 p.m.), plus comedies such as Ghosts and new dramas like Sheriff Country. Its Thursday, 9 p.m. placement follows Ghosts at 8:30 p.m. and precedes Elsbeth at 10 p.m.

CBS’s strategy is to build a strong night of programming that balances fresh series with established hits, and the show's proven audience makes it a key part of that plan.

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The series continues to modernize the classic Matlock premise

Although inspired by Andy Griffith’s original Matlock series, this reboot recasts the titular character in a modern legal world. Here, Matty assumes a widow’s identity to infiltrate a prestigious law firm she suspects concealed evidence in her daughter’s opioid‑related death.

Season 1 introduced weekly cases that showcased Matty’s intellect and compassion, while planting seeds for long‑form storytelling. Season 2 will continue mixing “case‑of‑the‑week” elements with deeper mysteries tied to the characters’ personal lives.

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Matlock can be watched live and on streaming platforms

Viewers can catch each new episode live on CBS or via the CBS app and CBS.com the next day. Paramount+ (with the Essential plan) also offers episodes for streaming, and some reruns are available on free platforms such as Pluto TV. This multi‑platform approach ensures that fans who missed the Thursday night airing still have convenient ways to stay up to date.

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Matlock’s return in October 2025 gives fans six months to revisit the twists of Season 1 and discuss their theories. Whether you’re drawn to Kathy Bates’s lead performance or the show’s blend of standalone cases and serialized drama; Season 2 seems poised to deliver thoughtful legal storytelling with a personal touch.

Keep your calendars marked for the sneak peek on October 12, then settle in for weekly episodes each Thursday at 9 p.m. ET.