CBS has already ordered a second season of its Kathy Bates-led legal drama Matlock, but fans are still waiting for official word on a third. Here’s a fact-checked breakdown of the show’s renewal status, streaming options, and what the season 1 finale revealed.

4 related posts

Network: CBS ·
Lead actor: Kathy Bates ·
Premiere date (sneak peek): September 22, 2024 ·
Timeslot premiere: October 17, 2024 ·
Seasons ordered: 2 ·
Streaming service: Paramount+

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Season 2 ordered by CBS in October 2024 (Wikipedia)
  • Season 2 premiered October 12, 2025 (Paramount+)
  • All episodes stream on Paramount+ (CBS)
  • Kathy Bates stars as Madeline “Matty” Matlock (CBS)
2What’s unclear
  • Season 3 renewal status — no official announcement as of early 2026 (TV Insider)
  • Exact episode count for season 2 — reportedly 19 episodes (Wikipedia)
  • Specific premiere date for season 3 (if renewed) (TV Insider)
3Timeline signal
  • — Sneak peek premiere (Wikipedia)
  • — Timeslot premiere (Wikipedia)
  • — Season 2 premiere (Paramount+)
4What’s next
  • Season 2 episodes airing through late 2025 (TV Insider)
  • Season 3 reportedly ordered for 2026-2027 (TV Insider)
  • Paramount+ will continue streaming all episodes (Paramount+)

A key facts table below summarizes the essential data points.

Key facts at a glance
Attribute Value
Official Network CBS (CBS official site)
Lead Actress Kathy Bates (as Madeline Matlock)
Premiere Date (Season 1) September 22, 2024 (sneak peek) / October 17, 2024 (timeslot)
Number of Seasons Ordered 2 (as of early 2026)
Streaming Platform Paramount+ (Paramount+ official)

Will there be a season 2 of The New Matlock?

Yes — CBS confirmed a second season of Matlock in October 2024 (Wikipedia). The renewal came quickly after the series premiered, an indicator of strong early viewership. According to Paramount+, season 2 debuted on with its first episode after 60 Minutes, then settled into its regular Thursday timeslot on .

The series stars Kathy Bates as Madeline “Matty” Matlock, a widowed attorney who rejoins a prestigious law firm while concealing a hidden agenda (CBS description). The ensemble includes Skye P. Marshall as Olympia, Jason Ritter as Julian, and Leah Lewis as Sarah.

The implication: CBS committed to a full season 2 before the first season finished airing — a clear vote of confidence in Kathy Bates’ lead performance and the show’s serialized mystery.

Is there a season 3 of Matlock 2024?

As of early 2026, TV Insider reported that CBS renewed the series for a third season on January 22, 2026, with plans for a 2026-2027 broadcast window. This has not yet been officially confirmed by CBS or Paramount+ but aligns with the show’s steady performance.

  • The implication: The quick renewal pattern — season 2 after the first fall, season 3 after the second — suggests CBS sees Matlock as a reliable anchor for its Thursday lineup.

The pattern: A consistent renewal cadence earns the show stability. What remains unclear is the exact episode count for season 3 and whether the 19-episode season 2 model will carry forward.

CBS’s reported interest in a third season suggests the network sees Matlock as a long-term franchise investment, not a one-season experiment.

How many episodes are in season 2 of Matlock with Kathy Bates?

Paramount+ has not published a formal episode count for season 2. However, according to Wikipedia, the second season was reportedly ordered as a 19-episode season — up from the standard 10-to-13 episode first season.

How many Matlock episodes are there in 2024?

Season 1, which aired in fall 2024, consisted of 10 episodes (including the September 22 sneak peek). The final episode of season 1 aired in spring 2025, setting up the storylines for season 2.

Why this matters: A 19-episode order signals CBS’s confidence in the show’s ratings. For viewers, it means more weekly installments and a longer arc for the central mystery.

The takeaway: CBS expanded the episode count from 10 to 19 for season 2 — an unusual move that rewards consistent viewership and gives Kathy Bates’ character arc more room to develop.

Is Matlock on Netflix or Prime?

No — Matlock is not available on Netflix or Amazon Prime Video as of early 2026 (CBS). The series airs on CBS and streams exclusively on Paramount+. All season 1 episodes are already streaming on Paramount+, and new season 2 episodes become available the day after they air on any Paramount+ plan (Paramount+).

Where can I watch Matlock season 2?

  • On TV: CBS, Thursday nights (8:00 PM ET/PT)
  • Streaming live: Paramount+ Premium plan allows live viewing of the CBS broadcast
  • Streaming next-day: Any Paramount+ plan offers episodes the day after they air

How to watch Matlock on Amazon Prime?

You cannot watch Matlock directly on Amazon Prime in the United States. Amazon Prime Video does not include Paramount+ as a built-in channel. To stream, you need a separate Paramount+ subscription.

The trade-off: For cord-cutters, this adds another monthly service. But the upside is ad-free viewing and access to all episodes on demand.

Viewers who want to watch Matlock without a cable subscription must add Paramount+ to their streaming stack — a dedicated commitment that CBS designed to boost its own platform.

What happened on the finale of Matlock?

The season 1 finale, which aired in spring 2025, concluded the central mystery of Madeline Matlock’s hidden agenda. According to CBS, Madeline is not just a brilliant attorney — she joined the firm “to uncover the truth” about a past injustice involving her family. The finale revealed how her tactics intersected with the firm’s biggest case and left several character relationships in flux, creating a direct bridge into season 2.

  • What it means: The final episode rewrites the premise you thought you were watching. Madeline isn’t simply re-entering the workforce; she’s executing a long-term plan. That twist transforms the show from a straightforward legal procedural into a serialized drama.

Spoiler caution: The finale reframes the entire series as a revenge-and-discovery story rather than a standard case-of-the-week procedural — viewers who skipped season 1 may want to catch up before jumping into season 2.

When does Matlock season 2 premiere?

Season 2 of Matlock premiered on , with a special Sunday episode after 60 Minutes on CBS, followed by its regular Thursday timeslot premiere on (Paramount+). This mirrored the tactic CBS used for season 1, using a high-visibility Sunday slot to generate buzz before settling into the permanent Thursday home.

The catch: If you missed the Sunday preview, episodes air every Thursday at 8:00 PM ET/PT on CBS, and stream next-day on Paramount+.

The pattern: CBS leveraged 60 Minutes‘s Sunday audience to launch both seasons, signaling that the network is investing in Matlock as a flagship property for Kathy Bates.

Timeline: Key dates for Matlock (2024)

  • — Sneak peek premiere on CBS (Wikipedia)
  • — Timeslot premiere on CBS
  • — Season 2 premiere (Sunday preview) (Paramount+)
  • — Season 2 regular timeslot premiere
  • — Season 3 reported renewal (TV Insider)

What this means: CBS is treating Matlock as a franchise property — the pattern of early renewals and expanded episode counts points toward long-term scheduling commitment.

Confirmed facts

  • Season 2 ordered by CBS (October 2024)
  • Season 2 premiered October 12, 2025
  • Streams exclusively on Paramount+
  • Kathy Bates stars as Madeline Matlock
  • Season 3 reportedly ordered for 2026-2027 (per TV Insider)

What’s unclear

  • Official CBS confirmation of season 3
  • Exact season 2 episode count (reportedly 19)
  • Season 3 premiere date
  • Whether any episodes will appear on Netflix or Prime later

“Matty Matlock is a brilliant attorney who rejoins the work force at a prestigious law firm, using clever tactics to win cases while hiding a hidden agenda.”

– CBS (Official show description)

“New Matlock episodes can be streamed live as they air on a local CBS station via the Paramount+ Premium plan, or the day after they air on any Paramount+ plan.”

– Paramount+ (Streaming details)

For fans of the series, the immediate future is secure: season 2 is airing now, and a third season appears likely. But the lack of an official CBS announcement on season 3 leaves room for caution. For viewers deciding whether to subscribe to Paramount+ for Matlock, the trade-off is straightforward: you get next-day access to all episodes, but only if you’re comfortable adding a separate streaming service to your monthly stack. The alternative is waiting for a potential broader licensing deal — which, given CBS’s ownership of the content, may never come quickly. CBS appears to be betting that Kathy Bates’ performance will keep audiences committed through the wait.

Additional sources

imdb.com

For those looking for a Norwegian-language breakdown, Matlock sesong 2 offers detailed coverage of the premiere and episode guide.

Don't miss these

Frequently asked questions

How many seasons of Matlock are planned?

CBS has officially ordered two seasons. A third season has been reported by TV Insider but not yet officially confirmed by CBS.

Who plays Madeline Matlock?

Academy Award-winning actress Kathy Bates portrays Madeline “Matty” Matlock.

What is the age rating of Matlock?

CBS lists the series as TV-14 (source).

Is Matlock a reboot of the original?

It is a reimagining — not a direct reboot. The 2024 series retains the title character’s sharp legal mind but introduces a new backstory and serialized plot.

How long are Matlock episodes?

Episodes run approximately 42–44 minutes (standard one-hour broadcast slot minus commercials).

Why did Matlock get a season 2?

Strong ratings and critical reception led CBS to renew the series for a second season shortly after its premiere in fall 2024.

Is Matlock available on DVD?

As of early 2026, no DVD or Blu-ray release has been announced. The series is available via CBS broadcast and Paramount+ streaming.