Will there be a season 2 of ‘Matlock?’

The Kathy Bates-led legal drama “Matlock” already has a loyal fan base, but has it made enough of an impression to get a second season?

Yes, “Matlock” was renewed for season 2 in October 2024 after only two episodes had aired.

“We knew we had something very special the moment we saw the first episode brought to life by the incredibly talented Kathy Bates,” Amy Reisenbach, president of CBS Entertainment, said in a statement at the time. “The audience reception and critical acclaim for it has been overwhelming. We can’t wait to get started on a second season.”

Bates, who stars as Madeline “Matty” Matlock/Madeline Kingston, won a Critics Choice Award and earned a Golden Globe nomination for her work in season 1 of “Matlock.” Her character claims to be a widowed lawyer returning to the workforce after decades of retirement due to financial troubles caused by her late husband’s gambling problem.

In fact, Matty — who uses the last name Matlock as an alias — is well off and happily married. Her real motive for returning to work is to uncover wrongdoing within a law firm she believes is complicit in the opioid crisis. Matty’s daughter Ellie died from an opioid overdose.

The CBS series draws inspiration from the original “Matlock,” which starred Andy Griffith in the titular role and aired from 1986-1995. The OG series exists in the universe of the new “Matlock;” Matty chooses her alias name because of her late daughter’s affinity for the show.

Warning: Spoilers ahead for season 1 of “Matlock.”

The two-part season 1 finale of “Matlock” airs on Thursday, April 17. During the penultimate episode, Matty’s boss, Olympia Lawrence (Skye P. Marshall), confronts Matty about her double life.

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The cliffhanger seemed like finale material, but “Matlock” showrunner Jennie Snyder Urman knew there needed to be another episode before the season break.

“Once we had Olympia expose Matty, we needed an episode that slowed down a bit in terms of the plot, and showed all of the damage that Matty has caused,” Urman told TVLine. “We wanted the audience suddenly to realize everything they missed in rooting for Matty, and how she’s caused so much pain. We wanted an episode where you played out the collateral damage of what it cost her, because the friendship [with Olympia] is such the spine of the show.”

In addition to Bates and Marshall, “Matlock” stars Jason Ritter (Julian Markston), Beau Bridges (Howard “Senior”), Leah Lewis (Sarah Franklin), and David Del Rio (Billy Martinez).

When will season 2 of ‘Matlock’ premiere?

There’s no official release date yet, but it’s safe to say that “Matlock” will be back in the fall of 2025. Season 1 premiered in September 2024, so it seems likely that season 2 will debut around the same time this year.

“Matlock” airs on CBS on Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET. Episodes are available to stream on Paramount+ the day after they air.