Matlock is an American mystery legal drama television series created by Dean Hargrove and starring Andy Griffith in the title role of criminal defense attorney Ben Matlock. Debuting on March 3, 1986, the series aired on NBC until the sixth-season finale on May 8, 1992; it was moved to ABC on November 5, 1992, continuing there for the remainder of its run until the series finale aired on May 7, 1995. The series was produced by The Fred Silverman Company and Dean Hargrove Productions in association with Viacom Productions. This series marked Griffith's return to a series for the first time since
Matlock is an American mystery legal drama television series created by Dean Hargrove and starring Andy Griffith in the title role of criminal defense attorney Ben Matlock. Debuting on March 3, 1986, the series aired on NBC until the sixth-season finale on May 8, 1992; it was moved to ABC on November 5, 1992, continuing there for the remainder of its run until the series finale aired on May 7, 1995. The series was produced by The Fred Silverman Company and Dean Hargrove Productions in association with Viacom Productions. This series marked Griffith's return to a series for the first time since
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Matlock is an American mystery legal drama television series created by Dean Hargrove and starring Andy Griffith in the title role of criminal defense attorney Ben Matlock. Debuting on March 3, 1986, the series aired on NBC until the sixth-season finale on May 8, 1992; it was moved to ABC on November 5, 1992, continuing there for the remainder of its run until the series finale aired on May 7, 1995. The series was produced by The Fred Silverman Company (formerly Intermedia Entertainment Company until 1986) and Dean Hargrove Productions (formerly Strathmore Productions until 1988) in association with Viacom Productions. This series marked Griffith's return to a series for the first time since The New Andy Griffith Show ended in 1971.
The show's format is similar to that of CBS's Perry Mason (both Matlock and the 1980s Perry Mason television films were created by Dean Hargrove), with Matlock identifying the perpetrators and then confronting them in dramatic courtroom scenes. One difference, however, was that whereas Mason usually exculpated his clients at a pretrial hearing, Matlock usually secured an acquittal at trial from the jury.
A gender flipping reboot, starring Kathy Bates, premiered on CBS on September 22, 2024.
Premise
Matlock centers on Ben Matlock (Andy Griffith), a widowed and highly respected defense attorney known for his folksy demeanor, sharp intellect, and cantankerous personality. Despite his gruff exterior, Matlock is deeply committed to justice. Most episodes culminate in a courtroom confrontation, where Matlock cross-examines a witness—often the actual perpetrator—and methodically exposes the truth. His goal is typically to establish reasonable doubt or to prove his client's innocence outright.
Linda Purl (Lori Lethin in pilot) as Charlene Matlock (season 1), Ben's younger daughter who became a partner to her father before she moved to Philadelphia to set up her own law practice
Kene Holliday as Tyler Hudson (seasons 1–3; guest season 4), Ben's first private investigator
Kari Lizer as Cassie Phillips (season 2; recurring season 1), Ben's young file clerk who desired to become his partner after Charlene's departure
Nancy Stafford as Michelle Thomas (seasons 2–6), an American lawyer living in London who becomes an equal partner to . She first appeared as a guest in season 1 (episode 6: The Seduction)
Recurring
James McEachin as Lieutenant Frank Daniels (season 1), Ben's contact on the Atlanta Police Department
Michael Durrell as District Attorney Lloyd Burgess (seasons 1–6), chief district attorney for Fulton County, Georgia
David Froman as Lieutenant Bob Brooks (seasons 1–6), Ben's contact on the Atlanta Police Department
Richard Newton as Judge Richard Cooksey (seasons 1–6), courtroom judge
Don Knotts as Les "Ace" Calhoun (seasons 3–6), Ben's next-door neighbor who was once a client in season three
Warren Frost as Billy Lewis (seasons 6–9), Ben's childhood friend and Cliff's father
Changes
The series premiered with Ben Matlock (played by Andy Griffith) having a law practice with his daughter, Charlene (played by Lori Lethin in the pilot movie; Linda Purl took over the role when the series went to air). Matlock also employed stock market whiz Tyler Hudson (Kene Holliday) as a private investigator. Tyler would often go undercover for Matlock in various guises to gather information. Matlock's most frequent legal adversary was Julie March (Julie Sommars), a Nebraska native. Although their job
Matlock is portrayed as a graduate of Harvard Law School. After working as a public defender, he opened a private law practice in Atlanta, where he resides in a modest farmhouse in the suburbs. Known for his meticulous investigative approach, Matlock often visits crime scenes to uncover overlooked evidence and develop alternative theories about the case, which usually involves homicide.
A distinctive feature of Matlock's character is his finicky fashion sense; he consistently wears a light gray suit and, over the series' run, drives three successive generations of the all-gray Ford Crown Victoria—a nod to Griffith's longtime association with Ford vehicles, dating back to The Andy Griffith Show.
Matlock is also characterized by his frugality and love of hot dogs, which are depicted as his favorite food throughout the series. This detail is explored humorously in the season eight episode "The Diner". An alternate backstory for his hot dog obsession is presented in a crossover with Diagnosis: Murder (season four, episodes 15–16, "Murder Two"), where Matlock blames Dr. Mark Sloan (Dick Van Dyke) for advising a failed investment in 8-track tapes in 1969 that cost him his $5,000 savings (equivalent to $33,000 in 2024), forcing him into an austere lifestyle.
Despite his thrift, Matlock typically charges a $100,000 retainer fee (equivalent to $240,000 in 2024), usually payable upfront. However, he often adjusts or waives his fee if he believes strongly in a client's innocence or if the client cannot afford to pay. In some cases, he reluctantly accepts pro bono cases. His strict expectations of his staff and investigators, as well as his penny-pinching habits, often serve as sources of comic relief throughout the series.
Julie Sommars as Julie March (seasons 3–6; recurring seasons 1–2; guest season 9), a district attorney who becomes a good friend to Ben Matlock
Clarence Gilyard Jr. as Conrad McMasters (seasons 4–7; guest season 8), Ben's second private investigator who is a former deputy sheriff and a rodeo rider
Brynn Thayer as Leanne MacIntyre (seasons 7–8; guest season 6), Ben's older daughter who works for her father after Michelle's departure
Daniel Roebuck as Cliff Lewis (seasons 7–9), Ben's last partner, a recent law school graduate with limited experience; he is the son of Ben's childhood friend, Billy Lewis
Carol Huston as Jerri Stone (season 9), Ben's last assistant and private investigator with a talent for singing lullabies
