Kathy Bates has announced her plans following the end of her upcoming CBS series Matlock. The actress intends to retire from acting, putting an end to a career spanning decades. Notably, she also revealed how the show changed her earlier retirement plans.
The Series Will Be The Last For Bates
The 2024 legal drama is a gender-flipped reboot of the 1986 series of the same name. The earlier series saw Andy Griffith play the title character, criminal defense attorney Ben Matlock. At the time, the series was heavily credited with bringing Griffith back into the spotlight.
Bates will step into the role of the new title character, Madeline Matlock, who rejoins the workforce at a prestigious legal firm, using her own set of skills. As seen in a series trailer, Bates’ Matlock can easily convince a man she’s just met that she’s his own aunt within moments of meeting him.
Although the series is just beginning, Bates has already revealed her plans for when the series is over. In an interview with The New York Times, the actress revealed that she plans to retire after the series. As Bates put it, “This is my last dance.”
However, Bates claimed she planned on retiring even earlier after the shoot of an unidentified movie went badly. As the actress explained, “It becomes my life.” She continued, “Sometimes I get jealous of having this talent. Because I can’t hold it back, and I just want my life.”
The New Series Kept Bates From Earlier Retirement Plans
Receiving a copy of the new Matlock script, however, convinced her that the show to put off retirement for a while. As she explained, she quickly connected to the main character and felt the role was a calling.
“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 explained, while adding, “it’s exhausting.”
In addition to Bates, Skye P. Marshall, Jason Ritter, David Del Rio, and Leah Lewis are all set to be part of the main cast. After a “sneak peek” of the series on September 22, the 2024 Matlock will have its timeslot debut on October 17 on CBS.
Bates has had a career spanning decades. For many, her best known role is likely Annie Wilkes in the thriller Misery, which is based on the Stephen King novel of the same name. She’s also known for her television roles in Six Feet Under, The Office, Disjointed, Harry’s Law, and American Horror Story.
Bates has also earned a variety of awards throughout her career. Her work in Misery won her the Academy Award for Best Actress. She also notably won a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Movie thanks to playing Delphine LaLaurie in American Horror Story: Coven.
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