Matlock Reboot Star Kathy Bates Used Quote from Frank Herbert’s Dune to Overcome Fear

Matlock Reboot Star Kathy Bates Used Quote from Frank Herbert's Dune to Overcome Fear

As a long-time fan of Kathy Bates, I can confidently say that her career is nothing short of inspiring. From her iconic roles to her fearless approach to acting, she continues to captivate audiences with her talent and dedication.


Kathy Bates is a legendary actress known for her diverse and unforgettable roles over several decades in Hollywood. From Misery to American Horror Story, Bates has always stunned fans with her incredible range across movies and TV. And at 76 years of age, the actress is showing no signs of slowing down with her spectacular turn in the CBS show, Matlock, which is a gender-flipping reboot of the classic 1986 legal drama starring Andy Griffith.

As a passionate movie enthusiast, it’s no secret that Meryl Streep, with her illustrious career lasting more than four decades and a plethora of acclaimed performances under her belt, might seem fearless enough to tackle any fresh opportunity. Yet, that’s not the whole truth. During a candid conversation with Stephen Colbert on The Late Show, Meryl Streep admitted her reservations about embodying such an iconic character. When Colbert inquired if she is “always” anxious before embarking on something new, Streep responded with a nod of affirmation.

Occasionally, a character’s nature can instill fear in me for reasons that are unclear to me. I find myself unexplainably petrified around them.

The show titled “Matlock,” which first aired in September and received widespread praise from both viewers and critics, is a reboot. In this new version, Kathy Bates assumes the lead role of Madeline Matlock, who pretends to be an ex-lawyer in order to secure employment at Jacobson & Moore. It’s eventually uncovered that she is actually Madeline Kingston, a well-off woman employing her job as a cover to probe into the opioid crisis. This was a catastrophe that could have been prevented, thus sparing her 12-year-old grandson from losing his mother. The main cast consists of Skye P. Marshall, Jason Ritter, David Del Rio, and Leah Lewis. Matlock debuted with a 95% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with the general consensus being that it is “a success thanks to the consistently dependable Kathy Bates.”

When Afraid, Kathy Bates Turns To This Quote From Dune

Actors often employ unique strategies to fully embody their characters. This could involve extensive research, physically mimicking the character, using personal experiences as reference, or secluding themselves from external distractions for a specific period. Kathy Bates, renowned for her commitment, revealed her method to conquer stage fright on set. She disclosed to Colbert that she keeps a quote from Frank Herbert’s “Dune” in her script as inspiration. The complete quote is:

I should not let fear control me, for fear is like a destroyer of thoughts. It’s a small death that leads to complete annihilation. Instead, I will confront my fear and let it pass through me. Once it’s gone, I will look back to see where it went. Where the fear has vanished, there will be nothing left. Only I shall remain.

The well-known quote from the book Dune offers a peek into one’s fears, encouraging one to accept fear as it fosters growth. When Colbert recalled reading this passage years ago, he identified with Bates’ approach and humorously admitted his feelings before embarking on something creative: “I wish I could sign a statement confessing that I’m a fraud, never having original ideas, and have it notarized and stored in the National Archives.” Both Bates and Colbert demonstrate that even experienced individuals continue to experience butterflies in their stomachs.

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2024-10-16 16:01