The Definitive Matlock Episode Count: 9 Seasons, 194 Cases, And The New Series' Total Episode Tally

For fans seeking the definitive tally of court cases, witty courtroom maneuvers, and classic legal drama, the total episode count for the Matlock universe is a tale of two distinct eras. The original, iconic series starring Andy Griffith as the folksy but brilliant criminal defense attorney Ben Matlock, provided nearly 200 hours of television, cementing its place as a cornerstone of 80s and 90s television. This deep dive will break down the exact number of episodes from the original run, the current, up-to-the-minute count for the brand-new reboot, and the key differences that set the two series apart.

As of December 2025, the total number of episodes across both the original Matlock series (1986–1995) and the current, critically acclaimed Matlock reboot (2024-2025) is higher than many fans realize, especially with the modern series currently airing its second season. Whether you're a purist rewatching the classic NBC/ABC run or a new viewer following Academy Award winner Kathy Bates as Madeline Matlock, understanding the full scope of this legal franchise requires looking at both series' impressive episode guides.

Complete Matlock Episode Count: Original vs. Reboot

The answer to "how many episodes on Matlock" depends entirely on which version of the series you are referring to. The original series ran for nearly a decade, while the new iteration is quickly building its own substantial catalog.

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The Original Series: Andy Griffith’s Ben Matlock (1986–1995)

The classic Matlock series, starring Andy Griffith as the $100,000-per-case lawyer Ben Matlock, enjoyed a long and successful run, first on NBC and later on ABC. The show's longevity is a testament to its compelling "whodunit" formula, where Matlock always proved his client's innocence by finding the actual killer.

• Total Seasons: 9 Seasons
• Total Episodes: 193 Episodes
• Pilot Movie: 1 (The 1986 pilot movie, "Diary of a Perfect Murder," is often counted as a separate segment, bringing the total number of segments to 194.)
• Network Run: NBC (Seasons 1–6) and ABC (Seasons 7–9)
• Notable LSI Keywords: Ben Matlock, criminal defense attorney, Andy Griffith, Matlock episode guide, NBC legal drama.

The episode count is frequently cited as 193, not including the original pilot movie, which was a feature-length introduction to the world of the famed Atlanta-based lawyer. The series maintained a high production rate, with seasons often featuring 22 to 24 episodes, a common practice for network dramas of that era.

The Current Reboot: Kathy Bates’ Madeline Matlock (2024–Present)

The new Matlock series, which premiered in 2024, is a reimagining of the concept, featuring a female lead, Madeline Matlock, played by the formidable Kathy Bates. This series is currently airing and is quickly adding to the franchise's total episode count.

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• Total Seasons (To Date): 2 Seasons
• Season 1 Episode Count: 18 Episodes
• Season 2 Status: Currently airing on CBS (Premiered October 2025)
• Estimated Total Episodes (As of December 2025): Approximately 26–28 Episodes (18 from Season 1 + currently aired Season 2 episodes)
• Network: CBS
• Notable LSI Keywords: Madeline Matlock, Kathy Bates, Matlock reboot, CBS legal drama, new Matlock series.

The first season of the Kathy Bates-led series was an 18-episode run, a slightly shorter season length than the original, reflecting modern network programming trends. With Season 2 now underway, the total episode count for the entire Matlock franchise is well over 200 and continues to grow weekly.

The New Matlock: Kathy Bates' Full Profile & Main Cast

The 2024 series introduces Madeline "Matty" Matlock, a brilliant septuagenarian lawyer who rejoins the workforce at a prestigious New York law firm. The casting of Kathy Bates, an acclaimed actress, was a clear signal that the reboot intended to stand on its own merits, focusing on character depth and a more complex, serialized narrative.

Kathy Bates: A Brief Professional Biography

Kathleen Doyle Bates is one of the most respected figures in Hollywood, bringing an unparalleled level of gravitas and talent to the role of Madeline Matlock. Her extensive career spans film, television, and theater.

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• Full Name: Kathleen Doyle Bates
• Date of Birth: June 28, 1948
• Notable Roles: Annie Wilkes in Misery, Molly Brown in Titanic, and various roles in American Horror Story.
• Major Accolades:
  • Academy Award Winner (Best Actress for Misery)
  • Two-time Emmy Award Winner
  • Two-time Golden Globe Award Winner
  • Two-time Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Award Winner

Bates' portrayal of Madeline Matlock as a seemingly sweet but sharp-witted lawyer with a hidden agenda has been a key factor in the reboot's success, providing a fresh take on the classic legal drama format.

The Matlock (2024) Main Cast and Characters

The new series surrounds Madeline Matlock with a dynamic ensemble cast, which helps facilitate the show's focus on character-driven storylines and workplace drama, a departure from the original's primary focus on the "case-of-the-week."

• Skye P. Marshall as Olympia Lawrence (A driven, ambitious partner at the law firm).
• Jason Ritter as Julian (The son of the law firm's owner, a partner with a complex relationship with Olympia).
• David Del Rio as Billy (A paralegal who assists Madeline with her investigations).
• Beau Bridges as Ted (The law firm's co-founder).

Deep Dive: Key Differences Between the 1986 and 2024 Series

While both series share the "Matlock" name and the core concept of a brilliant, seasoned attorney, the two shows are vastly different in execution, which is why the new series is often referred to as a "reimagining" rather than a strict reboot.

1. Protagonist Gender and Personality

The most immediate difference is the lead character. Andy Griffith’s Ben Matlock was a Southern gentleman, a male criminal defense attorney who was famously frugal and had a knack for dramatic courtroom reveals. Kathy Bates’ Madeline Matlock, however, is a septuagenarian lawyer who returns to the corporate world, often using her "sweet old lady" persona as a tactical advantage. The new series' protagonist is a woman with a hidden agenda and a focus on corporate law, providing a completely different dynamic.

2. Narrative Structure: Case-of-the-Week vs. Serialized Storytelling

The original Matlock was the quintessential "case-of-the-week" procedural. Each of the 193 episodes presented a self-contained murder mystery, with the killer revealed by the final commercial break. The 2024 series, while still a legal drama, moves away from this rigid structure. It incorporates a more serialized narrative, focusing more on the characters' backstories, the internal politics of the law firm, and a larger, overarching mystery that may span multiple episodes or an entire season. This change in storytelling is a major reason why the new series feels fresh and modern.

3. The Role of the Original Series in the Reboot's World

Interestingly, the new Matlock series exists in a world where the original show was a fictional TV series. Kathy Bates' character, Madeline Matlock, introduces herself to her new colleagues by making a humorous reference to the "old TV show" with the same name, effectively acknowledging the legacy of the Andy Griffith series while establishing its own separate identity.

4. Setting and Tone

The original series was primarily set in Atlanta, Georgia, and had a more traditional, warm tone reflecting its Southern setting. The new series is set in New York City and features a sharper, more contemporary tone, aligning with modern legal dramas and workplace procedurals. The shift in setting from a Southern courtroom to a high-powered New York firm underscores the difference in the two protagonists’ worlds and the types of cases they handle.

In conclusion, when you ask "how many episodes on Matlock," you are asking about a combined total of two successful legal dramas. The classic series gifted fans with 194 segments of pure, satisfying courtroom mystery, while the current Kathy Bates-led series is now well into its second season, adding a fresh, character-driven chapter to the Matlock legacy.