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‘Matlock’ is returning. Here’s who reimagined the character as a clever but underestimated woman

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'Matlock' is returning. Here's who reimagined the character as a clever but underestimated woman

As a seasoned writer with a rich background in both traditional procedurals like Matlock and magical surrealism shows such as Jane the Virgin, I must say that it’s a fascinating journey to navigate the different storytelling landscapes.

Generally speaking, when people picture “Matlock,” they tend to imagine Andy Griffith in their minds, a sturdy, white-haired gentleman, playing the lead role. He is a shrewd and witty lawyer from the South with a distinctive drawl, who frequently donned a seersucker suit.

This autumn, Jennie Snyder Urman reinvents Matlock, transforming the traditional male character into a senior female figure. She’s more than just a character; she’s a superhero-like entity, armed with butterscotch candies instead of the usual tools, and employing cunning strategies to win cases and uncover corruption.

The creator and head of “Jane the Virgin,” originally planned to produce an existing series under her company Sutton St. Production. When she found the title “Matlock” promising for modern adaptation, she discovered that the rights had already been acquired by Cloud Nine Productions, who were seeking a writer to lead it.

Jennifer Urman, when recalling her approach with ‘Jane the Virgin’, mentioned that she never agrees or declines immediately. Instead, she says, “I’ll consider it.” Following this, she often goes for a leisurely walk, typically around two hours long, near her home in Encino. According to her, by the end of the walk, she had developed the entire pilot script for the series from start to finish. Afterward, she presented her idea.

The television series, airing on CBS from September 22, introduces Kathy Bates as Madeline “Matty” Matlock, a wily seventy-year-old woman seeking to rejoin the workforce. However, she secretly maneuvers herself into a position at a prestigious Chicago law firm for reasons that are disclosed towards the end of the episode, launching the storyline for the season. Notably, this role returns Bates to the legal drama genre over a decade since her stint in David E. Kelley’s “Harry’s Law,” which was terminated by NBC in 2012 despite being one of their top-rated dramas, as it failed to draw young viewers.

'Matlock' is returning. Here's who reimagined the character as a clever but underestimated woman

next year, Urman will celebrate her 50th birthday. She’s been reflecting deeply on the significance of aging for women, particularly those in their later years, and the experiences that matter most to us as we grow older.

As I grow older, does its value seem to diminish according to society’s perception, but in reality, I believe I’m more intelligent now than when I began? That seems to be the prevailing opinion, yet here’s what intrigues me: What if I could develop a character who is consistently underestimated by the audience? We witness this pattern repeatedly, find it engaging, and even unknowingly underestimate her ourselves. By the end, wouldn’t it be ironic if we too had underestimated her true potential?

Eric Olsen, both an actor and the founder of Cloud Nine, posited that Matlock is similar to Batman, as she retreats to her hideout, according to Urman. “I never considered that angle before,” Urman added. “However, it’s intriguing because who represents the older woman superhero? She does. She’s making it happen. She’s a complex character.

During a recent video chat, Urman discussed setting expectations early that this isn’t your typical “Matlock,” explaining why Bates is perfect for revamping the character, and expressing a desire to incorporate elements of storytelling from “Jane the Virgin” into the legal series.

Almost immediately after the start of the program, you made clear that this wasn’t the “Matlock” you were expecting.

Indeed, it was crucial to establish the rules of this world from the get-go for our audience. So, in the opening moments, she is introduced as Matlock, but not exactly Matlock as we know her from the original series. The character acknowledges the existence of “Matlock,” the TV show, and this helps set a comfortable tone for both the theater-goers and those watching at home.

'Matlock' is returning. Here's who reimagined the character as a clever but underestimated woman

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you’re consistently proving people wrong about their underestimation of you? That’s similar to Matty’s case, as she often emphasizes this issue and turns it into an advantage. I’m curious about your own experiences with being underestimated.

In most situations when I step into a workspace, I find myself needing to demonstrate my competence not only in the creative aspects like writing and character development, but also in production, budgeting, and financial management. This is because, despite being a creative professional, my role requires me to be a business-savvy individual as well, managing this large-scale project. I recognize that these skills aren’t typically part of a writer’s initial repertoire, but there’s always a question of “What do you know?” It’s crucial for everyone to understand that I am aware of the intricacies of the production process and each role on this set. Sometimes, it seems people underestimate my ability to oversee every aspect of the project.

In a more casual tone, the question could be rephrased as follows: “Who was the perfect choice for playing the iconic role in this revamped series, and why did they pick Kathy Bates?

In a unique and intriguing manner, Matty’s roles require constant multidimensional performance – a talent only Kathy possesses. While she appears warm and folksy on the surface, there’s an iron core beneath, captivating audiences in a way that leaves them surprised by her true nature. Initially, you might find yourself thinking, “I didn’t realize it at all,” but then, suddenly, you’ll understand the hidden complexities.

How did you engage with the original series as you set out in reimagining it?

I spent a good deal of time revisiting the series “Matlock.” I did this to capture the show’s distinctive style, mood, and expectations it sets. Although I’ve seen it previously, this viewing was more intentional – to understand if our future scenes would align with the original or not.

'Matlock' is returning. Here's who reimagined the character as a clever but underestimated woman

What particularly caught your attention in its original rhythm? The simplicity and leisurely pace of the narrative are truly impressive. (or) What stood out to you about the original’s rhythm? Its straightforwardness and unhurried style are very admirable when it comes to storytelling.

It’s quite time-consuming to craft stories in a manner that feels unattainable now. They delved deep into numerous worlds, providing intricate details. They have an abundance of time on their hands, allowing them to create lengthy scene settings which we don’t typically have the luxury of including. Every inch of our space must serve multiple purposes simultaneously. Furthermore, the final courtroom scene offers a sense of reassurance; knowing that justice will prevail and the truth will be revealed is quite comforting as well.

We tune in because it brings us comfort. We enjoy experiencing the predictable flow of events. He’s amusing. I preferred episodes that combined humor with a familiar, adored character who consistently met our expectations. Our new version of Matlock aimed to capitalize on the nostalgia for the original series, not just in terms of its tone and audience appeal, but also within the storyline itself; presenting a character that was warm, relatable, and trustworthy, someone we knew would assist us when needed.

In a more conversational style: You’re good at keeping audiences guessing with unexpected twists or gradual revelations, as seen in the pilot. Is writing for “Matlock,” a traditional crime drama, similar to or different from writing for “Jane the Virgin,” which incorporated magical realism?

In our storytelling method, similar to how we approached “Jane,” we delve into the character’s perspective, ensuring each scene serves multiple purposes. We avoid straightforward procedural elements and instead make these moments pivotal for character development, revealing more about the character than they may intend. Essentially, when crafting our scenes, we consider: Where is the character located? What are their thoughts? What do they desire? And what deeper emotions or motivations lie beneath? This approach was consistently applied to the character of Jane as well.

I remember saying in the writers room, “If we’re going to commit to this, that we flashback at the end, it’s going to be really exciting to commit to it, but it’s also going to be so hard.” It puts an extra pressure on the storytelling, which is that you have to have all your storytelling cards up, and then you have to have a piece that’s cards down. And we usually have that with “Jane” too. But it adds a degree of difficulty here, because it has to be true on the side that you’re watching it and true on the side that you didn’t see. That adds the complexity. We’re breaking a story twice: on the cards up, then again cards down. But there have been many times where I’m like, “What I would give for a fantasy element to dramatize something!” or, “If only a narrator could come in and say, ‘What you didn’t know is that right now she’s thinking this…’ “

Nostalgia plays a significant role in Hollywood today. In your line of work, you’ve been involved with adaptations and reboots such as “Jane the Virgin” and “Charmed.” Can you share how your perspective on this trend has changed over time?

My approach is project-based. If a project piques my curiosity and seems necessary or unique, I’m drawn to it. I also appreciate opportunities to deviate from the original plan. That’s my mindset. Creativity can strike in the most unexpected places. For instance, during that walk, an idea for a show suddenly became clear – one I would fully write. There have been other projects between “Jane” and “Matlock” that didn’t get produced. This industry is challenging no matter where you are or what you’re working on. I prepare myself as if the right moment has come, but not every idea gets made. I don’t write solely to see something produced because this job demands genuine creativity, inspiration, and passion. It’s too arduous otherwise.

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2024-09-07 14:14

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