When Does ‘Matlock’ Return? 2026 Premiere Date Guide

Matlock Season 2 will take a long break soon. The CBS drama starring Kathy Bates, Skye P. Marshall, and Jason Ritter returned on December 4 after a brief hiatus, but the midseason finale will broadcast on Thursday, December 11. After then, Matlock will not return until February 2026.

In the Matlock Season 2 midseason finale, the holidays are approaching, and the team’s secrets begin to emerge as they work on a harassment case involving the city’s fire department. Meanwhile, Matty (Bates) and Edwin (Sam Anderson) are discussing meeting Joey’s (Niko Nicotera) sister.

Here, we’ve broken down the Matlock Season 2 release schedule to keep you up to know on when to watch on CBS.

When are new episodes of Matlock?

Matlock airs on Thursdays at 9/8c on CBS. Here’s the Season 2 schedule:

• Matlock Season 2 Episode 1, “The Before Times,” Sunday, October 12, 8:30/7:30c
• Matlock Season 2 Episode 2, “Another Matlock,” Thursday, October 16, 9/8c
• Matlock Season 2 Episode 3, “Tomorrow Is Still Tomorrow,” Thursday, October 23, 9/8c
• Matlock Season 2 Episode 4, “Piece of My Heart,” Thursday, October 30, 9/8c
• Matlock Season 2 Episode 5, “Mouse Trap,” Thursday, November 6, 9/8c
• Matlock Season 2 Episode 6, “Harm Reduction,” Thursday, November 13, 9/8c
• Matlock Season 2 Episode 7, “Prior Bad Acts,” Thursday, December 4, 9/8c
• Matlock Season 2 Episode 8, “Call It a Christmas Gift,” Thursday, December 11, 9/8c (Midseason Finale)
• Matlock Season 2 Episode 9, Thursday, February 26, 9/8c (Midseason Return)

The show went on a pre-planned Thanksgiving hiatus, beginning on November 14 and returning on December 4. This break coincided with the end of filming the first seven episodes of the season. It took a brief filming break during that time.

What happened in Matlock season 2?

The conflict between Matty and Olympia has been so intense (and confused) in Season 2, many were scared that it would last the entire season. But Season 2 Episode 6, “Harm Reduction,” showed them gradually reconciling as they collaborated on a difficult case involving nuns. They returned to being a team in Episode 7, which aired on December 4.

They collaborated with Eva (Justina Machado) to attempt a coup against Senior (Beau Bridges) at Jacobson Moore, but he vetoed the board vote that would have removed him. They’re currently working with Julian (Ritter) to obtain an NDA that will aid their Wellbrexa lawsuit. The episode also introduced Olympia’s mother, Celeste, played by Vernee Watson, a Fresh Prince alum.

Mario Lopez’s son, Nico, appears in the midseason finale alongside Sean Carrigan from The Young and the Restless.