Mon Sep 16 15:50:59 UTC 2024: ## Kathy Bates Denies Retirement, Ready for “Matlock” to Run for Years

**LOS ANGELES** – Academy Award winner Kathy Bates has cleared the air regarding her future in Hollywood, confirming she is not retiring anytime soon.

Following recent comments that suggested she was considering stepping back from acting, Bates revealed her commitment to the CBS reboot of “Matlock,” where she plays Madeline “Matty” Matlock.

“I had one foot out the door until I read the script for ‘Matlock,'” she explained to Entertainment Weekly. “And then I read ‘Matlock’ and I said, ‘Ooooooookay, close the door. We’re gonna do some more. I want it to run for years. It’s that great.”

Bates, who will be portraying the gender-flipped version of the iconic character, shared similar enthusiasm in a separate interview with Deadline, describing the reboot as “amazing.” The series, which premieres September 22nd, features an overarching mystery that unfolds across the season.

The new “Matlock” explores ageism and adversity as Bates’ character navigates a new chapter in her career as a senior citizen. Her personal grief is interwoven with the legal drama, making the role all the more compelling for Bates.

Rumors of Bates’ retirement began circulating after a New York Times profile where she referred to “Matlock” as her “last dance.” However, a representative for the actress clarified, stating, “Personally I don’t think that is going to be the case. She wants ‘Matlock’ to go on for many, many years.”

While Bates has expressed her excitement for the project, she insists that retirement is not on the horizon. When asked about a timeline for her departure from acting, she simply stated, “Never.”

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