Why Isn’t ‘Matlock’ Returning This Fall? Season 3 Plans & the Delay Explained
Fans looking forward to more of the Kathy Bates-led legal drama will have to keep waiting a while longer for new episodes as the show will not be returning until 2027.
Thankfully, the show has been renewed for a third season, it just needs a little more time before it makes it to our television screens. The previous two seasons were both part of the CBS fall lineup during their respective years.
Why has Matlock season 3 been delayed?
The delay is intentional. Showrunner Jennie Snyder Urman shared that she asked the network to change the schedule, according to an interview she gave with TV Insider. Jennie wanted to get a little more time to figure out where to take the story next.
“I asked for it with the network. We had a talk,” Jennie said. “I just feel like we had so much stuff to think about because we really landed the plane on this and we really thought that was important because we didn’t want to keep dragging out the same story and the characters have to get to someplace real emotionally.”
Keep up with all the shows CBS has canceled in 2026 so far.
When will Matlock return?
An official date for Matlock’s return has not been announced at this time. But it is expected to premiere in 2027 and, more specifically, the midseason, which usually starts between January and March.
RELATED: Ghosts is also not returning this fall and here’s why
What is CBS airing on Thursdays instead?
Even though Matlock won’t be airing on Thursdays this fall, there are plenty of other CBS shows to look forward to, as the network has already released its upcoming fall 2026-2027 schedule.
Thursday
- 8-8:30 PM – Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage
- 8:30-9 PM – New series Eternally Yours
- 9-10 PM – Elsbeth
- 10-11 PM – New series Cupertino
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