CBS’s Matlock has finished its second season, but fans will have a long wait before the Kathy Bates-led legal drama returns. The series is confirmed to come back in 2027 for a third season, and creator Jennie Snyder Urman has described the next chapter as a reset after the Wellbrexa storyline wrapped in the Season 2 finale. With the show moving into a new mystery or conflict, the upcoming season is expected to take the series in a fresh direction.
Jason Ritter, who plays Julian, recently said he has not heard much about the new season, but he did share a few hints about what may be ahead. He expects a time jump, though he does not know how long it will be, and believes viewers will see significant character shakeups. That uncertainty is especially important for Julian, who ended Season 2 in serious trouble after helping expose his father and the corrupt partners at Jacobson Moore. Ritter said he is also waiting to learn whether Julian will keep his law license or be forced to rebuild his life in a new way.
The delay is deliberate. CBS is holding Matlock for midseason 2027 so Urman and the writing team have more time to develop the next story properly. Ritter said the writers are taking their time and that scripts are not yet finished. Production is expected to begin in September, which suggests the creative team is still shaping the direction of the season before cameras roll. The third season will also be shorter than the first two, with 13 episodes instead of a full-length run.
Despite the wait, Ritter expressed confidence in the writing staff and said the show has repeatedly surprised him in the best possible way. He said he expects Season 3 to be another strong installment and described the process as opening a “gift” when the new episodes finally arrive. For now, even the cast appears to be waiting along with the audience to see how the story will evolve.
Speculation about the plot centers on how much time will pass after the Season 2 finale and how the fallout from the Wellbrexa case will affect the characters. Although that storyline is over, the legal consequences are expected to continue into Season 3. Julian’s involvement may leave his relationships with Matty and others under strain, while the broader legal and personal consequences of the case could shape the new season’s opening episodes.
For viewers, the long gap means Matlock will not be back until 2027, but the extra time may allow the show to reset with a stronger and more ambitious direction. In the meantime, both seasons remain available to stream on Paramount+.
