The Verdict Is In: When The New Matlock Comes On And The Shocking Mid-Season Return Date

The new era of courtroom drama is officially underway, and fans of the Kathy Bates-led Matlock reboot are constantly searching for the latest updates on the episode schedule. As of today, December 13, 2025, the highly-anticipated second season of the legal drama has already premiered, but the show is entering a mid-season break, leaving viewers in suspense about the next chapter of Madeline "Matty" Matlock's brilliant career. The good news is that the show is on the air, and we have the definitive date for when the next new episode will premiere on CBS and settle into its permanent weekly timeslot.

The series, which re-envisions the classic legal procedural originally starring Andy Griffith, has found a massive new audience thanks to its sharp writing and the unparalleled talent of its Oscar-winning lead. If you’ve missed the Season 2 premiere or are waiting for the show to return from its winter hiatus, here is everything you need to know about the current schedule, the cast, and the surprising plot twists that have defined the new season.

Madeline "Matty" Matlock: A Brief on the New Legal Eagle and Her Team

The Matlock reboot centers on Madeline Matlock, a septuagenarian attorney who decides to make a triumphant, and often unconventional, return to the practice of law after a lengthy hiatus. Unlike the original series, this version features a gender-flipped lead and a modern, high-stakes setting, primarily in New York. She joins a prestigious, fast-paced law firm, using her unassuming demeanor and sharp intellect to expose corruption and win seemingly unwinnable cases.

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Here is a quick look at the main cast and characters driving the drama in Season 2:

• Kathy Bates as Madeline “Matty” Matlock (aka Madeline Kingston): The titular, brilliant, and deceptively soft-spoken defense attorney.
• Skye P. Marshall as Olympia: A powerful and high-profile partner at the law firm, often Matty's foil and ally.
• Jason Ritter as Julian: Olympia’s son, a talented but sometimes reckless attorney who works alongside Matty.
• Leah Lewis as Sarah: A young, ambitious associate at the firm who is eager to learn from Matty.
• David Del Rio as Billy: An associate at the firm (Note: The character was part of Season 1 but has been reported to have exited the series, which is a major plot point for Season 2).
• Jennie Snyder Urman: The series developer, who is also known for her work on Jane the Virgin.

The Definitive Answer: When Does The New Matlock Come On?

For fans asking "when does the new Matlock come on," the answer is twofold: it's currently airing new episodes in its second season, but you need to know the next *new* date due to the holiday and winter schedule breaks.

The Season 2 Premiere and Current Timeslot

The highly-anticipated Matlock Season 2 premiered on Sunday, October 12, 2025, at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT on CBS, kicking off the network's Fall Premiere Week. This Sunday night debut was a special "sneak peek" event to draw maximum attention. After this initial airing, the show quickly settled into its permanent, regular timeslot.

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The new regular schedule for Matlock is:

• Day: Thursdays
• Time: 9:00 p.m. ET/PT
• Network: CBS

This Thursday night slot puts the show in a prime position for weekly viewing, though the schedule can occasionally be disrupted by special events like NFL football, which sometimes causes slight time variations.

The Mid-Season Hiatus and Return Date

As of December 13, 2025, the series is taking a winter hiatus after a shocking winter finale that left several character dynamics up in the air, including the fallout from Julian's discovery and the departure of a series regular.

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The next new episode of Matlock is scheduled to air on Thursday, February 26, 2026, at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on CBS. This date marks the return of the second half of Season 2, promising to resolve the major cliffhangers and introduce new, complex legal cases for Matty Matlock to tackle.

Why The Matlock Reboot Is A Must-Watch Legal Drama

The new Matlock is more than just a nostalgic revival; it's a modern, character-driven legal drama that has captured the attention of both old-school fans and new viewers. The show’s topical authority is built on several key elements that make it a compelling weekly watch:

1. The Brilliance of Kathy Bates

Kathy Bates is the undisputed anchor of the series. Her portrayal of Matty Matlock is a masterclass in subtlety and power. She brings a quiet, almost grandmotherly presence to the courtroom, which is a perfect contrast to her razor-sharp legal mind. She weaponizes her age and unassuming nature, allowing opponents to underestimate her, only to deliver a devastating legal coup de grâce in the final moments. This is a brilliant reinvention of the classic "Columbo" or "Matlock" trope, making her character instantly iconic.

2. High-Stakes, Topical Cases

Unlike the original, which was often lighter in tone, the new series dives into complex, high-stakes legal cases that often touch on modern issues of corporate corruption, political scandal, and social justice. The setting in New York City provides a backdrop of power and wealth, where the stakes are always life-changing. The show excels at weaving Matty’s personal quest for justice into the fabric of the legal firm's corporate ambition.

3. The Season 2 Mystery Arc

Season 2 has introduced a deeper, overarching mystery that connects to Matty’s past, giving the show a serialized element beyond the weekly "case of the week" format. The show hints that Matty’s return to law is not just about boredom or passion; it's tied to an unresolved personal issue or a past injustice she is determined to correct. This serialized storytelling keeps viewers hooked and elevates the series above a simple procedural.

How To Watch and Stream All New Matlock Episodes

If you've missed any episodes of Season 1 or the first half of Season 2, or if you simply prefer to stream your shows, there are several ways to catch up and keep watching when the show returns on February 26, 2026.

• Live on CBS: Tune in to your local CBS affiliate every Thursday at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT for the live broadcast.
• Streaming on Paramount+: All new episodes of Matlock are available to stream on Paramount+ the day after they air on CBS. This is the official streaming home for the series and is the best way to binge-watch the entire series from the beginning, including the Season 1 premiere and all subsequent episodes.
• CBS App/Website: Recent episodes may also be available for free on the CBS website and app for a limited time after their air date.

Don't miss the return of Madeline Matlock as she continues her quest for justice. Mark your calendars for Thursday, February 26, 2026, to see the resolution of the winter finale cliffhanger and the start of the next thrilling chapter.