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After five decades of captivating performances, Oscar-winning actress Kathy Bates is ready to take her final bow. In a recent interview with The New York Times, Bates, 76, revealed that her upcoming CBS series Matlock will likely be her last role, saying, "This is my last dance."
Although she's considered retirement before, an emotional experience on a previous movie set nearly pushed her to leave Hollywood for good. "Sometimes I get jealous of having this talent because I can't hold it back, and I just want my life," Bates admitted. But after reading the script for Matlock, a reboot of the beloved legal drama, she couldn't resist one last hurrah.
In the series, Bates plays Madeline "Matty" Matlock, a sharp-witted septuagenarian who returns to work at a prestigious law firm, using her unassuming demeanor to outwit opponents and expose corruption. The role resonated deeply with Bates, who noted, "Everything I've prayed for, worked for, clawed my way up for, I am suddenly able to be asked to use all of it."
Matlock features an ensemble cast that includes Jason Ritter, Skye P. Marshall, David Del Rio, and Leah Lewis as Bates' younger colleagues. With a career spanning memorable roles in Six Feet Under, American Horror Story, The Office, and many more, Bates' final performance promises to be a fitting conclusion to an extraordinary career. Catch her in Matlock when it premieres on CBS on September 22.
