Change is in the air when it comes to your Thursday night streaming schedule. Previously, viewers enjoyed a mix of medical dramas like The Pitt, Grey’s Anatomy, and Doctor Odyssey. However, The Pitt recently aired its season finale, and both Doc Oddy and Grey’s are set to conclude on May 15. But there’s good news! Hacks is back, and a new romantic western series starring Josh Duhamel and Minka Kelly, Ransom Canyon, is now streaming on Netflix. So, it’s not all bad.
Another Thursday night staple about to take a break? You guessed it… Matlock. The two-hour season finale of Kathy Bates’ popular legal drama airs tonight (April 17) on CBS. What does the future hold for Matty? Has Matlock been renewed for a second season? Here’s everything you need to know.
The first season of Matlock consists of 18 episodes. The two-part season finale, titled “Tricks of the Trade,” airs tonight from 9:00-11:00 p.m. ET on CBS. Fans can breathe easy as CBS renewed Matlock for a second season in October 2024. While no official release date has been announced for the second season, it is expected to debut in September 2025 on CBS.
For those wondering how to watch Matlock online, if you have a valid cable login, you can catch the season finale live on CBS, CBS.com, or the CBS app. Additionally, you can stream the show live with an active subscription to Paramount+ with Showtime. The service is available for $12.99/month (or $119.99/year), and offers a 25% student discount along with a seven-day free trial for eligible subscribers. You can also add Paramount+ to your Prime Video or Hulu accounts for an extra $12.99/month. Finally, Matlock is available to stream on-demand via Paramount+, PlutoTV, Amazon, and CBS.com.
As for the show’s premise, Matlock was one of the hit new shows of 2024. It scored the first series renewal of the season after just two episodes aired last fall. The Kathy Bates-led legal drama delivers its biggest bombshells in its two-hour Season 1 finale on Thursday, April 17, on CBS. Inspired by the Andy Griffith series of the same name, but not a direct remake, Matlock stars Bates as Madeline “Matty” Matlock, a brilliant septuagenarian who re-enters the workforce at a prestigious law firm, utilizing her unassuming demeanor and clever tactics to win cases.
Matty works alongside Olympia (Skye P. Marshall), a senior attorney and key rainmaker with a thirst for justice. Olympia’s ex-husband Julian (Jason Ritter), the son of the firm’s head, is intrigued by Matty and her skills. Throughout the season, Matty has been on a mission to uncover documents she believes were immorally buried by a lawyer at Jacobson Moore to keep opioids on the market. This quest is personal for Matty as she seeks to avenge her daughter, who died of an opioid overdose. With her partners in crime—husband Edwin (Sam Anderson) and grandson Alfie (Aaron D. Harris)—Matty has been trying to find out who buried the Wellbrexa documents all season long.
The Season 1 finale promises to reveal the culprit while setting up new mysteries for the upcoming second season. As showrunner Jennie Snyder Urman previously stated, “You get the answer to that central question, and then, we push forward into the next season.” Fans are eagerly awaiting the resolution of Matty’s investigation and what new challenges lie ahead.
When it comes to the cast, Matlock has featured recurring and guest stars throughout its first season, including Beau Bridges, Eme Ikwuakor, and Yael Grobglas. While an official Season 2 cast list has not been announced, viewers can expect Bates and Marshall to return alongside Anderson, Harris, Ritter, Lewis, and Del Rio. There had been speculation about Ritter possibly leaving the series after Season 1 due to his casting in HBO’s upcoming DC comics series, Lanterns. However, Ritter confirmed at PaleyFest 2025 in Hollywood that he will indeed be part of Matlock Season 2, assuring fans, “[My mustache is] for another show that I’m working on called Lanterns. Mustaches can be shaved off. As soon as I’m done [with Lanterns], I’m back to Matlock.
As the series heads into its second season, fans can look forward to more courtroom drama, character development, and the resolution of long-standing mysteries. The anticipation is high as viewers prepare for what’s next for Matty and her team. With the show’s solid ratings and critical acclaim, Matlock is poised to remain a staple of Thursday night television.
For now, don’t miss the two-hour season finale of Matlock tonight, April 17, at 9/8c on CBS. With plenty of twists and turns expected, it’s sure to be a thrilling conclusion to the first season.
