Kathy Bates: Done After 'Matlock'

Kathy Bates is ready to call cut after Matlock.

In a recent interview with the New York Times, Kathy Bates announced her decision to retire following the conclusion of CBS' upcoming legal drama Matlock. “This is my last dance,” Bates stated, reflecting on her storied career with a sense of closure.

Bates shared that she had considered retiring earlier, following a challenging experience on an unnamed movie set. “It becomes my life,” she confessed, revealing the intense emotional investment she has in her craft. “Sometimes I get jealous of having this talent. Because I can’t hold it back, and I just want my life.”

However, her passion was reignited when her agents presented her with the script for Matlock. The show, a modern reboot of the beloved Andy Griffith series, resonated deeply with Bates. She felt an immediate connection with the series’ protagonist, which she described as a calling she couldn't ignore.

“Everything I’ve prayed for, worked for, clawed my way up for, I am suddenly able to be asked to use all of it,” she says, but adds, “it’s exhausting.”

The legal drama Matlock is set to premiere on CBS on Sunday, September 22 at 8/7c, featuring Kathy Bates in the role of Madeline Matlock (or Matty), a septuagenarian who decides to return to work at a prestigious law firm. Using her unassuming demeanor and shrewd tactics, she tackles complex cases with a fresh perspective. The cast also includes Skye P. Marshall, Jason Ritter, David Del Rio, and Leah Lewis.

Kathy Bates gained recognition for her portrayal of Annie Wilkes in the 1990 psychological thriller Misery, a role that led her to win an Academy Award. With an illustrious television career, she has delivered memorable performances in Six Feet Under, The Office, Disjointed, Harry’s Law, and appeared in five seasons of American Horror Story. Bates has been honored with two Emmy Awards: the first in 2012 for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for Two and a Half Men, and the second in 2014 for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Movie for American Horror Story: Coven. Her latest acting role is in Netflix’s A Family Affair, where she acts alongside Nicole Kidman.

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