Kathy Bates recently clarified comments that led many to believe she was retiring from acting after landing a role in the CBS reboot of “Matlock.” While Bates did not deny that the role of Madeline “Matty” Matlock could potentially be her last, she expressed enthusiasm about the script and said she would be happy to continue playing the role for years if the series is successful. Bates described the script as amazing, with an overarching mystery that runs through the series and a big twist at the end of the pilot.
In an interview with Deadline, Bates shared similar sentiments, saying that she had considered semi-retirement until she read the script for “Matlock” and decided she had to take the role. When asked about an actual timeline for her retirement, Bates confidently stated that she has no plans to retire, saying “never.” Rumors of Bates’ retirement began to circulate after a New York Times profile where she referred to the series as her “last dance” and expressed feeling exhausted after a career full of hard work and accomplishments.
Despite the previous comments that led to speculation about her retirement, Bates’ representative expressed a different stance on the matter, saying that they do not believe Bates will retire after “Matlock” and that she wants the series to continue for many years. The new “Matlock” is a gender-flipped reboot of the classic legal drama starring Andy Griffith, with Bates taking on the role of a senior citizen reentering the workforce and facing ageism and adversity. Through her character, Bates finds ways to channel personal grief through her profession.
The new series is set to premiere on CBS on September 22 and Bates is excited about the opportunity to take on the role of Madeline “Matty” Matlock. Bates expressed her love for the script and the series, indicating that she has no plans to retire anytime soon. With an overarching mystery and a big twist at the end of the pilot, Bates is looking forward to immersing herself in the character and seeing where the story takes her. Though there was initial confusion surrounding Bates’ comments about retiring from acting, it is clear that she is still very much dedicated to her craft and looking forward to this new chapter in her career.
