Kathy Bates Reveals How A Quote From Dune Helped Her Cope With ‘Abject Terror’ Of Rebooting Matlock, And It’s Perfect

by

Kathy Bates Reveals How A Quote From Dune Helped Her Cope With 'Abject Terror' Of Rebooting Matlock, And It's Perfect

As a gamer who has spent countless hours immersed in the virtual worlds of RPGs, I can’t help but draw parallels between Kathy Bates‘ journey and my own. Much like her character Matty Matlock, I too have faced the daunting task of stepping into a familiar yet reimagined universe, armed with a new set of skills and the weight of expectations on my shoulders.

Kathy Bates is set to make a prime-time comeback in 2024, starring in CBS’ remake of “Matlock,” marking her first significant on-screen role since the conclusion of “Disjointed” on Netflix in 2018. This project, where she also serves as an executive producer, prevented Bates from retiring. With the series debut fast approaching, she recently revealed a quote that helped her overcome her apprehensions about leading the reboot… and surprisingly, it’s a quote from “Dune”!

Despite the fact that it’s highly unlikely that Dune, whether the original books or film adaptations, shares many similarities with the new Matlock series, Bates drew inspiration from a quote from the novel series written by Frank Herbert during the initial stages of production. She explained to Entertainment Weekly:

To conquer the intense fear I felt while shaping this character, my initial step was to master my apprehension. Each day, I ventured out to concentrate on the scenes and the task at hand, rather than yielding to my dread. However, in the mornings before I started work, it required a conscious effort to focus. It’s that inspiring quote from Dune by the Bene Gesserit that resonated with me: “Fear is the mind killer.” I jotted down this quote in my script as a reminder and kept it close, so I could refer back to it whenever needed. I couldn’t allow myself to dwell on the immense responsibility of portraying this role for several months and potentially disappointing others. Instead, I had to focus on the work itself.

In this fresh interpretation, Kathy Bates takes on the role of Madeline “Matty” Matlock, who returns to work in her 70s at an esteemed law firm, offering a distinctive perspective on legal cases. Although aficionados of the original Matlock may notice some resemblances, this new series sets itself apart from other reboots because it doesn’t merely rehash the concept like Magnum P.I. or carry forward the narrative as a sequel such as Night Court. Instead, it presents a unique take on the material.

In the realm of the revamped Matlock series I find myself immersed, the original Matlock character is indeed part of its lore, as clearly hinted in the trailer’s unveiling. From the sneak peeks we’ve seen so far, Matty appears to exude a strong, assured persona. It’s intriguing to learn that Bates found inspiration from Dune when crafting this character, and I must say, it seems like a brilliant move to me. The actress herself added:

Once I’ve completed my internal preparations, events unfold for me naturally, as they should. It’s tough work, but I’m fortunate to be in peak physical condition. I’ve managed to shed around a hundred pounds over the past few years, and now I feel great. I’m constantly active, moving, breathing, and walking about three miles a day while working. I’m in the best shape of my life, and I couldn’t have achieved this if it weren’t for my current state of health.

It’s been a long wait for Kathy Bates, as the announcement for the Matlock reboot with her as the main character came in January 2023. However, the complexities of television production in late 2023, due to the WGA writers strike and SAG-AFTRA actors strike, delayed things. But at 75 years old, Kathy is eager to take on the role of Matty for a good stretch, if the show Matlock proves successful on CBS. She hints that perhaps five seasons would be ideal.

Indeed, several hour-long dramas experienced some misfortune on CBS earlier this year, with shows like So Help Me Todd, NCIS: Hawai’i, and Blue Bloods being cancelled, and the latter set to conclude its run. Interestingly, Matlock is now taking over the 9 p.m. ET time slot on Thursdays that was previously held by So Help Me Todd. It’s worth noting that CBS ordering new shows such as Matlock and NCIS: Origins might have played a role in some of these cancellations to create openings for primetime slots. If Matlock proves successful in the ratings like Elsbeth, it could potentially run long enough to meet Kathy Bates’ expectations. At this point, though, it’s too early to make any definitive predictions about its future performance.

Initially, the show “Matlock” will air on a special day instead of its usual Thursday spot on CBS, replacing “Elsbeth”. The first episode featuring Kathy Bates as Matty can be watched on Sunday at 8 p.m. ET on CBS. From October 17 onwards, it will air on Thursdays.

Read More

2024-09-15 21:37