Few shows create the buzz that Matlock does, but it definitely caused a stir. Every year there’s at least one incredible new cast member, and we’re lucky enough to have the legendary Kathy Bates in that cast.
She’s not alone, she’s joined by industry veteran and America’s favorite grandpa, Beau Bridges. But what about the other actors and characters?
We’ve learned everything there is to know about Kathy Bates and Beau Bridges. Now it’s time to figure out where some of them are other Familiar faces from Matlock.
There will be no leading witnesses here – just straight, hard facts.
Do you think we should stop jury tampering and go straight to opening statements?
I don’t understand lawyer lingo either, so let’s get started.
olympia lawrence
If you’re looking for big, bad boss power-ups, you’ve come to the right place. There are no courts on the East Coast that can deal with Miss Lawrence.
She’s smart, resourceful, and furious about the state of the world and the blatant abuse of the justice system. But don’t let her cold appearance scare you.
Beneath that ice queen, there is a heart as big and beautiful as the impenetrable wall of pantsuits that protects it. At $1,200 an hour, this attorney is worth every penny.
When she can’t reconcile with her charming ex-husband and is soon to lose her “ex,” Olympia is doing everything she can to bring comfort and peace to her client.
Could she be the one Marty is looking for? Olympia was not always a lawyer who put his heart into his work. The corporate ladder is high for women, and sometimes, that means breaking the rules to get to the top.
Skye Marshall
There are actors with great acting skills and then there’s this incredible lady with chameleon skills. Miss Skye P. Marshall’s acting is almost as good as Kathy Bates’ Matlock.
Don’t believe me? Think of Olympia Lawrence as a voodoo high priestess. You don’t have to stretch your imagination because you can turn on Netflix and see Skye playing Mambo Marie Levo in Chilling Adventures of Sabrina .
Interestingly, this will be the second time Kathy Bates has worked with the actress who plays Mary LeVault, after Angela Bassett played the historical figure Mary LeVault in American Horror Story: Coven.
Marshall has only been in the industry for fifteen years, and she’s already proven she’s not going anywhere. The actor can also be seen in productions such as “Eastern New York,” “Black Lightning” and “Restoration.”
Julian Maxton
Forget everything you’ve ever heard about lawyers being evil blood-sucking agents – in this case, though. Julian Maxton is not your average lawyer who just takes cash and runs every day.
No, any client who is fortunate enough to find Julian as an advisor will encounter a capable and trustworthy individual. He will do whatever it takes to not only correct mistakes, but put a smile on your face in the process.
Sure, his marriage to ex-wife Olympia Lawrence didn’t go well, but that’s in the past. If you talk to the Madam who is about to be reinstated, she has nothing but good things to say about the man.
Despite being separated, Julian still spared no effort to help Olympia handle some cases. He never asked for anything in return and received unconditional support both inside and outside of work.
He is a great leader who can spot talent and find the talent he needs from a mile away.
We have Julian Maxton to thank for finally getting Marty into the belly of the beast, where she can burn it all down. Thanks, Julian!
Jason Ritter
There are a lot of people who like to talk about how nepo babies in the industry have an unfair advantage. I agree, but sometimes, they take advantage of it in the right way.
Take Jason Ritter for example. He was the son of the late, great John Ritter. While his father did make a name for himself, Ritter Sr.’s son inherited his father’s acting talents.
The actor has been working in one genre or another for more than thirty years. You’ll be shocked when you see the variety of roles he’s played, including Frédéric Belacourt in “Another Time.”
This series, starring Maggie Smith, would be as hysterical as Downton Abbey if it were doused with LSD and Whoopee Cushions.
Yes, Jason Ritter came from television, but he’s had a low-key but long-lasting career, appearing in shows like The Fifth Generation, The Last of Us, The Accused, and Superstore.
Billy Martinez
Sometimes you meet a lawyer with a good heart and you want to ask, “Why on earth did you choose to be a blood-sucking parasite?” It’s a fair question.
Believe it or not, some people do go into the legal field to help others. Billy is such a character; he’s always smiling and his default is empathy.
If you threw pastels and a bucket hat at Billy, he’d be Elsbeth Tassioni. Sure, they say the good guys finish last, but at least they finished. Billy is as friendly as they come. Hopefully the law won’t change him.
If nothing else, Billy has one of the most important tasks: keeping Sarah from overloading. It’s a thankless job, but someone has to do it. This character is basically everyone’s big brother.
Billy Martinez may not be a cut-throat lawyer, but at least he has a healthy work-life balance and can go home at the end of the day–what’s his girlfriend’s name?
Oh, by the way, Sal—I mean Claudia.
David Del Rio
Can you believe we have a triple hyphenated genius in Matlock? No, I’m not talking about the iconic Miss Kathy Bates, although she certainly set the bar high.
No, the triple threat I’m referring to is David Del Rio, actor, director and producer. You may have even seen some of the projects he directed, like Road Head and Sick for Toys.
If he can stay on the show the way some viewers want, he might even don the director’s hat for an episode or two on “Matlock.” Even crazier things happened.
At this point, your brain may be trying to place where you recognize this familiar face. Don’t worry—TV Fanatic has you covered.
David appears frequently on television, so you’ve most likely seen this talented guy on shows like The Good Doctor, The Baker and the Beauty, NCIS: Los Angeles, and Southland.
Sarah Franklin
Why, is that the sound of a thousand butts clenching? No, that’s just Jacobson Moore’s most ambitious legal assistant, eager to move up the corporate ladder.
Sarah’s character has a level of obsessive-compulsive disorder that makes it feel unreal, but we love watching her drive herself into madness in stressful situations. It’s like seeing a wrecked car on the side of the road. You can’t look away.
That said, of every character in Matlock, Sarah undergoes the greatest transformation. Although the process is slow, she is getting there step by step.
Now that Miss Franklin has a workplace crush – possibly her first – she may be singing sweeter tunes from now on. Anyone who can keep Sarah’s intensity down would be welcome.
Then again, Sarah will channel all of her over-analyzing tendencies into her budding romance with Kira. Only God knows what was going on in that girl’s mind.
Leah Lewis
Now, the actress is in good company. Leah Lewis’ star has been steadily rising for nearly two decades. Can you imagine all the things she might have learned from Kathy Bates?
You read that right – Leah has been working in the entertainment industry for nearly two decades. If you only started noticing her on a number of shows, you’re not alone.
Miss Louise somehow managed to transition from a typical children’s character to a teen show, only to eventually find herself surrounded by industry veterans like Beau Bridges.
Are you ready to learn some crazy random facts about this talented young actor? She competed on The Voice during the blind auditions. Apparently, Leah had some tubes in her body. This is useful legally, right?
While her character Sarah may be a bit too much for some viewers, Leah manages to imbue her with enough charisma to make Sarah not only bearable but also a delightful addition to the show.
Leah Lewis has been working on her filmography for some time. The actor has been part of popular shows such as “Nancy Drew,” “Station 19,” “Charmed” and “The Gifted.”
With a cast and characters like this, it’s no wonder people of all ages love CBS’s Matlock. We haven’t finished the first season of Matlock yet, but fans can’t wait to see more.
It’s a good thing that the series is getting renewed. There will be anarchy in the streets that you truly lead. Disaster averted.
Do you recognize these actors from their previous roles?
Which actor do you think would do well in a show like Matlock?
Leave a comment below to let me know what you think, and join me again as I bring you more insights on Matlock!
Watch Matlock online
