Kathy Bates’ Influence Revealed: How She Shaped a Tragic Twist in Matlock’s Reboot

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If given the chance, I’d jump back to when I learned CBS was reviving Matlock. Oh, how excited I’d be to share with my past self how much I’d come to appreciate this show! Although I wasn’t certain it would become a staple in my 2025 TV viewing habits then, I did know that Kathy Bates‘ involvement alone was enough for me to tune in, at least for the first episode.

I’ve consistently found myself invested in the series following the significant twist in Matlock, and it has proven to be a rewarding choice multiple times. Recently, I stumbled upon an interview with showrunner Jennie Snyder Urman, which revealed that this week’s Ellie Kingston flashbacks were inspired by Ms. Bates. This influential decision she proposed to her superior played a crucial role in shaping these flashbacks.

During my conversation with Kathy Bates before the entire season was underway but following the filming of the pilot, she suggested to me that it was during Matty’s custody attempt that Ellie passed away. This revelation came as a surprise to me, and when we convened in the writers’ room, we built upon this idea, establishing that the day of the hearing was when Ellie wouldn’t be present, and developing all those subsequent plot points around it.

The creator of “Jane the Virgin” felt as though a new idea had been triggered when her “Matlock” lead proposed the identical outcome that appeared in the Season 1 episode titled “This Is That Moment.” If you haven’t kept up with the series via CBS or a Paramount+ membership, be aware that we’re about to reveal a minor spoiler.

In the twelfth episode of the first season, we got to see Ellie Kingston (Marnee Carpenter) in person for the first time. Sadly, this was just before her life ended prematurely due to her battles with addiction. Regrettably, this storyline also marked the last conversation between Ellie and her mother Madeline Kingston (Kathy Bates), where Madeline promised Ellie numerous monitored visits once she had been clean for a year.

Delving into the driving force behind Matty Matlock, the recollections of her tumultuous custody dispute with her daughter serve to humanize and intensify the search for Jacobson Moore’s suspected antagonist. Moreover, as Jennie Snyder Urman explained how the role of Matlock’s outstanding lead came to be cast in this manner, it became evident just how suited Ms. Bates is for this ensemble, showcasing her exceptional talents.

As Kathy Bates worked on building her character, crafting actions that would drive her into an extreme plot – such as infiltrating a law firm and revealing their secrets – we understood there had to be something deeply distressing hidden within her past. It’s likely that during the character development process, she discovered this traumatic background for her role.

In six more episodes, Madeline Kingston’s initial season will come to a close, and since Matlock has already been renewed for Season 2 early on, we might not get all the answers we need by the time the season finale is over. For now, I’m hoping that next Thursday’s episode will feature Madeline and her husband Edwin reconciling and embracing; I don’t enjoy watching them argue, as it takes my focus away from trying to uncover the truth about Shae Banfield. Keep up the good work, Meerkat!

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2025-02-22 17:37