Wed Jul 16 04:40:00 UTC 2025: **Headline: Can Kathy Bates, 77, Make Emmy History with “Matlock” Remake?**

Los Angeles, CA – Kathy Bates, the acclaimed actress known for her roles in “Misery” and “American Horror Story,” is poised to potentially break Emmy records this year at the age of 77. Nominated for Best Drama Actress for her role as Madeline “Matty” Matlock in CBS’s reimagining of the classic legal drama, Bates could become the oldest actress to ever win the award, surpassing Glenn Close’s record set in 2009.

In “Matlock,” Bates portrays a lawyer with a hidden agenda, investigating wrongdoing within her new firm while posing as the namesake from a TV show that exists in the show’s universe. Bates’s performance has garnered critical acclaim, including a Critics Choice Award win and nominations at the Screen Actors Guild Awards and Golden Globes.

“I am deeply grateful to the Television Academy for this honor,” said Bates in a statement, thanking CBS and show creator Jennie Snyder Urman. “This nomination really belongs to you… what a joy it has been for all of us to pour our hearts into bringing your Matlock to life.”

However, Bates faces stiff competition. She is up against Sharon Horgan (“Bad Sisters”), Britt Lower (“Severance”), Bella Ramsey (“The Last of Us”), and Keri Russell (“The Diplomat”). While Bates is the only nominee in the category with prior Emmy wins, her nomination also represents a challenge for broadcast network shows, which have struggled to gain traction at recent awards shows dominated by streaming and premium cable contenders. The last CBS actress to win in this category was Julianna Margulies over a decade ago.

Despite the odds, many predict Bates is the front-runner and could break through the broadcast bubble, citing her widespread respect and the TV Academy’s fondness for legal dramas. The 76th Primetime Emmy Awards will take place on September 14th. Whether Bates will make Emmy history remains to be seen.

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