Will There Be a ‘Matlock’ Season 2? What We Know So Far After the Finale’s Devastating Reveal

Matlock‘s season 1 finale answered one highly anticipated question, while also raising several more.

The CBS series — which is a gender-swap reboot of the classic legal drama of the same name — debuted in the fall of 2024 and followed Madeline “Matty” Matlock (Kathy Bates), a former attorney who talks her way into scoring a new job at a prestigious New York law firm, Jacobson Moore.

Matlock averaged 7.73 million viewers in its September sneak peek episode alone, breaking CBS’ record for the largest audience for a non-post-Super Bowl series premiere in over five years, per Deadline.

Throughout the first season, Matlock sought justice for the death of her daughter Ellie in the opioid epidemic, believing that someone in the law firm hid evidence that could have saved her life. After an 18-episode debut season, the finale included major bombshells, including who did it. But, with one big mystery wrapped up, several other questions surfaced.

So, will there be a season 2 of Matlock? Here’s everything we know so far.

Warning: Matlock spoilers ahead!

Will there be a season 2 of Matlock?

Good news, Matlock fans! Season 2 is on its way.

The series was renewed for another chapter in October 2024, six months before its debut season even came to an end.

President of CBS Entertainment Amy Reisenbach said in a statement that the team knew they had “something very special the moment we saw the first episode brought to life by the incredibly talented Kathy Bates,” per Deadline.

“The audience reception and critical acclaim for it has been overwhelming,” Reisenbach said. “We can’t wait to get started on a second season.”

Ahead of the two-part finale, showrunner Jennie Snyder Urman also reflected on the success of Matlock‘s first season, telling PEOPLE, “I just want to thank people for giving us the chance and going on this road with us.”

“I hope this ending is satisfying but also it really makes you realize how much more story we have to tell in the second season and get people excited for that,” she said.

What will Matlock season 2 be about?

Although there is not yet an official logline, Urman teased some potential plots to be explored in season 2 while speaking to PEOPLE, including the aftermath of revealing it was Julian (Jason Ritter) who hid the Wellbrexa documents and indirectly killed Ellie.

In the season 1 finale, Billy found out he was going to be a dad, which Urman said “puts him in a totally different place.”

“It really opens up all sorts of [questions]: first of all, is Claudia gonna have the baby? Is she not?” Urman said, adding that it paves the way for “drama” and “trauma” for Billy. “He’s got a fun storyline this year.”

As for Sarah — who had a triumphant courtroom victory in the season 1 finale — Urman said her happiness will be both “short-lived” and “deep.”

“She did something great in court and she is going to feel that for a while and then Simone definitely comes and pops the balloon, but Sarah’s not going to take that lying down,” Urman said. “She is protective of her job, her place on the team and she’s got some tricks up her sleeve.”

The showrunner continued, “Sarah is going to be someone who is growing in confidence.”

Who is in the cast of Matlock season 2?

Matlock wouldn’t be the same without the return of the titular character herself! Deadline shared that Kathy Bates is set to continue portraying Madeline Matlock in season 2.

While other returning cast members have yet to be announced, director Kat Coiro told TV Insider in March 2025 that season 2 would feature “a lot of new characters.”

“There are a lot of amazing actors who have expressed interest in coming onto the second season, which is always really exciting,” she said. “One that’s public is Jason’s wife, Melanie Lynskey.”

So, who might join the crew at Jacobson Moore? Urman told PEOPLE that she wanted some of Yael Grobglas’ former Jane the Virgin costars — specifically the titular character herself — to join her in Matlock.

“Oh my God, I want them all, but I really want of course Gina [Rodriguez],” Urman said, adding that she “would love them all” and is “dreaming about it.”

Who is directing Matlock season 2?

While the official director of each episode has yet to be determined, Coiro told TV Insider that she had already spent a few days in the writers’ room for season 2 — and teased some of what’s to come.

“I can say that there’s still a lot that you guys are going to have to figure out,” she said. “In a way, the show has a slow drip. It’s not just huge plot each week. It’s psychologically complex. It’ll go on for years.”

When will Matlock season 2 be released?

Although an exact release date has yet to be announced, Deadline confirmed that Matlock would remain on CBS’ schedule in the 2025-26 broadcast season.

In the meantime, season 1 is available to stream on Paramount+.