Kathy Bates Announces Retirement After CBS' Matlock Reboot, Calls It 'My Last Dance'
Kathy Bates, after a remarkable five-decade career, announces her intention to retire following the CBS series "Matlock." At 76, she portrays Madeline Matlock in a reboot of the original series. Bates reflects on past injustices resembling her character's journey, expressing exhaustion from her career. Despite connections to "Matlock," she affirms this will be her final project. The series premieres on September 22, with an 18-episode order from CBS.
Kathy Bates, the acclaimed actress known for her illustrious five-decade career, has announced her intention to retire following the completion of her new CBS series, Matlock. At 76, Bates portrays Madeline Matlock in a reimagined version of the classic series that originally aired from 1986 to 1995.
Kathy Bates Reflects on a Legendary Career
Throughout her remarkable career, Bates has garnered numerous accolades, including an Academy Award, two Primetime Emmys, and two Golden Globe Awards. In a recent interview with The New York Times, she shared that her decision to retire had been contemplated prior to the opportunity presented by Matlock. She indicated that a recent film project had prompted her to seriously consider stepping back from acting.
Connection to Madeline Matlock
Following her discussions with her agents about retirement, Bates received the pilot script for Matlock and found herself resonating with the character, Madeline Matlock. She noted that the struggles she faced earlier in her career parallel those of her character, allowing her to draw on her life experiences in her role. Bates expressed that the depth of her emotional involvement made her feel overwhelmed, saying it echoed everything she had prayed and worked for in her life.
Final Performance and Future Aspirations
Bates firmly stated that her role in Matlock will be her final performance. The series has been greenlit for 18 episodes and is slated to premiere on September 22 on CBS. She articulated how her character, much like herself, channels their work as an outlet for grief, revealing a deeper personal connection to the storyline.
Praise from Co-Star Skye P. Marshall
Her co-star, Skye P. Marshall, praised Bates for her work ethic, noting how she engages with scripts and challenges creative directions constructively. Marshall lauded Bates as a “beautiful warrior” with a strong sense of intuition and a commitment to addressing injustices.
A Humble Perspective on Success
Towards the end of the interview, Bates became emotional, expressing her feelings of guilt over her success while reflecting on global issues. She questioned her right to complain given her fortunate circumstances, demonstrating her humility and awareness of the world around her.
Upcoming 'Matlock' Streaming Release
The highly anticipated Matlock series, produced by showrunner Jennie Snyder Urman, will also be available for streaming on Paramount Plus after its CBS premiere, promising to capture both new audiences and longtime fans of the original series.
