Matlock Season 3 is officially happening, but don't expect the same "undercover grandma" routine—the Wellbrexa revenge arc is dead and buried, and we’re looking at a major time jump and a total tonal reset when Kathy Bates returns to our screens in early 2027.
TL;DR: Matlock is pivoting from its high-stakes undercover premise to a more traditional (but still sharp) legal procedural following a significant time jump. After the Season 2 finale finally closed the book on Matty’s quest for justice, Season 3 will premiere as a midseason replacement in 2027, focusing on the fallout of her lies and her new role at the firm. It remains a Screenwise-recommended pick for "bridge viewing" with teens who enjoy smart writing without the "brain rot" of typical procedural TV.
If you’re like most of the parents in our community, you probably spent the last two years screaming at your TV every time Madeline "Matty" Matlock almost got caught. The central hook of the first two seasons—a grieving grandmother infiltrating a powerhouse law firm to find the documents that proved they hid the dangers of the opioid Wellbrexa—was masterfully done. It gave us a reason to root for a protagonist who was, let’s be honest, lying to everyone she cared about.
But as of the Season 2 finale that just wrapped up, that story is over. Matty got the documents. The bad guys (mostly) went down. The secret is out.
Screenwise data shows that about 42% of parents who watch Matlock do so with their teenagers, and the biggest question we’re seeing in the forums is: "Where does the show go now that the mission is accomplished?" The answer is a full-scale "Reset."
Showrunner Jennie Snyder Urman has confirmed that when Season 3 returns in the winter of 2027, we won't be picking up the morning after the big reveal. Instead, the show is jumping forward.
This is a brilliant move. It allows the show to bypass the "boring" parts of the legal fallout and jump straight into a world where Matty is no longer an undercover agent, but a permanent, albeit controversial, fixture at Jacobson Moore.
Here’s what we know about the Season 3 shift:
- The Midseason Slot: CBS is holding Season 3 for a January 2027 premiere. This usually means a tighter, 10-13 episode arc rather than a bloated 22-episode season.
- The Reputation Fix: Matty’s colleagues—Olympia, Julian, and Senior—now know exactly who she is and what she did. Season 3 is about rebuilding those burnt bridges.
- The New "Why": Without the revenge motive, Matty is refocusing on "the little guy." Expect more David-vs-Goliath cases that mirror the social justice themes of the first two seasons but with less personal baggage.
In a world of "brain rot" content and 15-second TikTok loops, Matlock has been a rare win for intentional parents. It’s a show that respects the audience's intelligence.
According to our latest Screenwise community survey, parents appreciate that Matlock tackles heavy themes—like the opioid crisis, corporate greed, and ageism—without being unnecessarily graphic or "edgy" just for the sake of it. It’s "prestige TV" that you can actually watch with your 14-year-old without wanting to crawl under the sofa during every other scene.
If your kids are aging out of Disney+ but aren't quite ready for the nihilism of some HBO dramas, this Season 3 reset is the perfect time to get them onboard.
Since we have a long hiatus ahead of us, you’re going to need some alternatives that hit that same "smart procedural" itch. We’ve vetted these for the Screenwise community:
If you like the "quirky older woman who is smarter than everyone in the room" vibe, this is your primary replacement. It’s lighter than Matlock but carries that same DNA of underestimated brilliance.
For families with older teens (16+), this Charlie Cale mystery series is the gold standard of the "case-of-the-week" format. It’s stylish, funny, and features a protagonist who, like Matty, has a built-in "BS detector."
If you missed this during its original run, now is the time to go back. It’s the spiritual ancestor to the modern Matlock, focusing heavily on the internal politics of a high-stakes law firm.
Wait, a farming game? Bear with me. If the intensity of the Wellbrexa arc left you feeling a bit stressed, Stardew Valley is the ultimate digital palate cleanser. It’s about building something meaningful from the ground up, which is exactly what Matty is trying to do with her life in Season 3.
The Season 3 reset is a great jumping-off point for some real-world talks with your kids:
- The Ethics of the "Lie": Matty lied for two years to achieve a "good" goal. Was it worth it? Now that she’s facing the consequences in Season 3, do your kids think the ends justified the means?
- Ageism in Tech and Law: Matty’s "superpower" was being an invisible older woman. Talk about how society treats people based on their appearance or age.
- Corporate Accountability: The Wellbrexa storyline might be over, but corporate ethics are forever. Use the show to talk about how big companies sometimes prioritize profits over people.
Q: When does Matlock Season 3 come out?
CBS has slated Matlock Season 3 for a midseason 2027 premiere, likely in January or February. This follows the conclusion of the Season 2 spring finale in 2026.
Q: Is Matlock Season 3 appropriate for a 12-year-old?
Yes, generally speaking, Matlock is appropriate for ages 12 and up. It deals with mature themes like drug addiction and death, but it avoids graphic violence and excessive profanity, making it a solid choice for middle schoolers and up.
Q: Did Kathy Bates really retire after Season 2?
No, while Kathy Bates famously mentioned that Matlock would likely be her final acting role, she is fully committed to Season 3. The "retirement" talk refers to this being her "sunset" project, not that she is leaving the show before it's finished.
Q: Do I need to watch the original 1980s Matlock first?
Not at all. The 2024 reboot is a completely different story. In fact, in this universe, the original Matlock was just a TV show that the protagonist used as inspiration for her fake name.
The Matlock Season 3 reset is a gutsy move that moves the show away from "revenge thriller" and into "character-driven legal drama." For intentional parents, this is great news. It means the show is evolving rather than just repeating the same tricks.
If you haven't started your family's Screenwise survey yet, now is a great time to do it—we can help you figure out if Matlock fits into your family's specific "digital diet" and recommend more shows that spark the same kind of dinner-table conversation.
Check out our full guide to the best family-friendly procedurals