The Matlock Cast: Where Are The Original Stars Now And The Shocking Season 2 Reboot Shakeup (2025)

The legacy of the original *Matlock* cast, a cornerstone of 80s and 90s television, continues to fascinate fans, especially with the high-profile reboot bringing the legal drama back to the screen. As of today, December 12, 2025, the conversation is split between honoring the iconic actors who brought the original Ben Matlock’s world to life and the major updates surrounding the new series, which recently launched its second season. The original series, which aired from 1986 to 1995, featured a revolving door of talented co-stars alongside the legendary Andy Griffith. The new iteration, starring Academy Award winner Kathy Bates, has captured a new generation of viewers but has also been subject to its own dramatic off-screen news, including a major cast firing just before its 2025 season premiere.

The Original Matlock Cast: A Complete Biography and Character List

The original *Matlock* series, created by Dean Hargrove, was known for its revolving cast of Ben Matlock's associates, private investigators, and daughters. Here is a look at the main cast members who defined the series.

• Andy Griffith as Ben Matlock (1986–1995)
  • Role: The brilliant, folksy defense attorney who always got his clients off the hook, often by finding the true killer.
  • Biography: A television icon, Griffith was best known for *The Andy Griffith Show* before *Matlock*. He was nominated for four Primetime Emmy Awards.
  • Status: Passed away on July 3, 2012, at the age of 86.
• Clarence Gilyard Jr. as Conrad McMasters (1989–1993)
  • Role: Matlock’s second and most popular private investigator, a former deputy sheriff.
  • Biography: Gilyard was a versatile actor, also famous for his roles in *Die Hard* (Theo) and *Walker, Texas Ranger* (James Trivette).
  • Status: Sadly passed away on November 28, 2022, at the age of 66. His death was a significant loss to the television community.
• Nancy Stafford as Michelle Thomas (1987–1992)
  • Role: Ben Matlock’s law partner, known for her sharp legal mind.
  • Biography: Stafford was a series regular on six TV series, including five seasons on *Matlock*. She is also an author and speaker.
  • Status: Continues to act and is active in Christian ministry and motivational speaking. She is one of the main surviving cast members.
• Julie Sommars as Julie March (1987–1992)
  • Role: A District Attorney who often found herself on the opposite side of Matlock in court, though they shared a friendly rivalry.
  • Biography: Sommars was nominated for a Golden Globe for her role in *The Governor & J.J.* before joining *Matlock*.
  • Status: Retired from acting and is one of the main surviving cast members.
• Linda Purl as Charlene Matlock (1986–1987)
  • Role: Ben Matlock’s younger daughter and initial law partner.
  • Biography: Purl is a prolific actress, also known for playing Ashley Pfister, Fonzie's girlfriend, on *Happy Days*.
  • Status: She is an active actress and singer, performing cabaret. She left *Matlock* after Season 1 because the writers were "not able to write the character very fully."
• Brynn Thayer as Leanne MacIntyre (1992–1994)
  • Role: Ben Matlock’s other daughter, who also worked as a lawyer with her father.
  • Biography: Thayer is known for her roles in soap operas like *One Life to Live* before joining *Matlock*.
  • Status: Continues to act in television and film. Her character's departure was explained as her moving to Los Angeles to start her own law firm.
• Kene Holliday as Tyler Hudson (1986–1989)
  • Role: Matlock’s first private investigator.
  • Biography: Holliday has had a long career in stage and screen.
  • Status: He is one of the main surviving cast members and has been open about his recovery from alcoholism.
• Daniel Roebuck as Cliff Lewis (1993–1995)
  • Role: Matlock’s final law partner and private investigator.
  • Biography: Roebuck is a character actor with hundreds of credits, often working with director Rob Zombie.
  • Status: He is an extremely active actor in Hollywood today.

The Matlock Reboot: New Cast, New Drama, and The Season 2 Shakeup

The world of *Matlock* has been reignited with a CBS reboot, which premiered in 2024 and has already secured its place in the modern legal drama landscape. This new series flips the script, starring a female lead, Academy Award winner Kathy Bates, as the eponymous defense attorney. The reboot centers on Madeline “Matty” Matlock (Kathy Bates), a sharp, seventy-something woman who decides to return to the world of law after a successful career and joins a prestigious law firm.

The New Matlock Cast (2025)

The second season of the new *Matlock* series premiered on Sunday, October 12, 2025, with a major shakeup in the cast lineup.

• Kathy Bates as Madeline “Matty” Matlock: The new, brilliant defense attorney who is the heart of the show. Bates is the only confirmed returning star for all of Season 2.
• Skye P. Marshall as Olympia Lawrence: A series regular who returns for Season 2. She is a partner at the firm Matty joins.
• Jason Ritter as Julian Markston: A returning main cast member for Season 2, playing a lawyer at the firm.
• Leah Lewis as Sarah: Confirmed to return for the second season.
• Beau Bridges: A recurring guest star in the first season, his status for Season 2 is highly anticipated by fans.

The Shocking Season 2 Cast Firing

The most talked-about update for the *Matlock* reboot is the major cast change ahead of its second season. Actor David Del Rio, who played Billy, was fired from the show in a highly publicized event. Del Rio was initially part of the main cast, playing one of the younger attorneys at the firm. His departure was due to an alleged off-set incident that resulted in his firing, leaving a notable vacancy in the ensemble cast for the 2025 season. The news of a cast member being fired is a rare and dramatic event for a major network series, ensuring that the second season of the reboot will be under intense scrutiny.

The Enduring Appeal of the Matlock Universe

The success of both the original and the new *Matlock* series speaks to the enduring appeal of the classic "whodunit" legal drama. While the original series focused on the folksy charm and meticulous, often theatrical, courtroom style of Ben Matlock, the reboot offers a modern, more diverse take with a focus on a powerful female lead. The original cast members, such as Nancy Stafford and Julie Sommars, have continued to be celebrated for their defining roles in the series. The recent passing of beloved stars like Clarence Gilyard Jr., who was equally famous for his role as Private Investigator Conrad McMasters and his work in action films like *Top Gun* and *Die Hard*, serves as a poignant reminder of the show’s golden era. The reboot's ability to navigate a major cast shakeup while retaining its core star, Kathy Bates, suggests the *Matlock* name is resilient. As the second season unfolds in 2025, fans of both the original legal drama and the new series will be watching closely to see how the new *Matlock* universe evolves.