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Matlock 1986

“AMERICA'S GREATEST LAWYER. CASE CLOSED.”

★ 7.1/10 · 137 votes TV-PG DramaCrime 9 seasons · 194 eps Ended
Community & Your Rating
★ 7.1/10
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Quick answer

What is Matlock?

Matlock is an American legal drama television series that premiered with a sneak peek on September 22, 2024. The series follows Madeline Matlock, a brilliant lawyer portrayed by Emmy and Academy Award winner Kathy Bates.

Type
TV series
Year
1986
Status
Ended
Episodes
194
Runtime
45 minutes
First aired
Mar 3, 1986
Last aired
May 7, 1995
Original language
EN
Origin
US
Networks
NBC, ABC
Genres
Drama, Crime
Updated
Streaming Intelligence

Binge-Worthiness & Content Radar

84 /100 Solid Watch
⚡ Pacing & Momentum8.6/10
🧠 Narrative Depth8.9/10
🔄 Rewatch Potential7.7/10
🎬 Production Scale8.2/10
🎯 Bingeable Series #Drama #Crime
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Estimate the schedule using 194 episodes and an average 45-minute runtime.

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Overview

Matlock is an American legal drama television series that premiered with a sneak peek on September 22, 2024. The series follows Madeline Matlock, a brilliant lawyer portrayed by Emmy and Academy Award winner Kathy Bates. The show features a cast including Skye P. Marshall as Olympia Lawrence and Jason Ritter as Julian. As a character, Matlock is described as thrifty, folksy, and cantankerous. She is known for charging a premium for her services while maintaining an uncanny knack for finding overlooked clues and exposing murderers during dramatic courtroom scenes. The character is often associated with a trademark light-gray suit and a Ford Crown Victoria. The series explores Madeline Matlock’s professional life and her hidden agenda. Following the resolution of the Wellbrexa cover-up in the season two finale, the show concluded its run despite a previous renewal for a third season. The production was created by Jennie Snyder Urman and aired on CBS, featuring high-profile legal cases and investigations throughout its tenure on television.

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Should you watch it?

“A folksy yet sharp criminal defense attorney defends clients by uncovering overlooked clues and exposing true killers.”

Reasons to watch
  • engaging courtroom confrontations
  • charismatic lead performance
Keep in mind
  • high legal fees serve as a recurring plot point

Watch it if you enjoy classic legal dramas featuring clever investigators solving complex criminal cases.

The series features standard legal drama themes and courtroom mystery elements suitable for general audiences.

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Your verdict

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Cast

Comprehensive Directory

Episode guide

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Filler vs. Essential Canon

Filter episodes by serialized narrative importance. Skip standalone side quests and streamline your binge.

32%
68%
Mytharc (37): Crucial lore & season climaxes
Core (77): Character development & subplots
Side Quest (0): Standalone / filler
Season 1 · 24 episodes Open the complete Season 1 guide & lore primer →
Season 2 · 24 episodes
Season 3 · 20 episodes
Season 4 · 24 episodes
Season 5 · 22 episodes
Verified insights

Frequently asked questions

Who created the series?

The series was created by Dean Hargrove.

Who plays the title character?

Andy Griffith stars as the criminal defense attorney Ben Matlock.

What is Ben Matlock's profession?

He is a criminal defense attorney who defends clients across the United States.

How much does he charge?

He is a very expensive attorney who charges one hundred thousand dollars to take a case.

When did the original series air?

The series debuted on March 3, 1986, and ran until 1995.

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