Understanding the Time Jump in Matlock’s Season 3 After the Schedule Shift
Matlock is not only undergoing a schedule change but also a significant time jump.
“Season 3 will not follow immediately [after the season 2 finale],” creator Jennie Snyder Urman shared with Deadline. “It’ll be around six months to a year, I would estimate.”
Urman reiterated this in an interview with TVLine, hinting that Matty (Kathy Bates) and Olympia (Skye P. Marshall) will be starting anew at a different firm.
“It’ll be a slight time jump: about six to nine months,” she elaborated. “It won’t be a dramatic five-year leap where everything has changed, but we aren’t picking up directly from where we left off this year.”
Before the season 2 finale, it was confirmed that Matlock would return for a third season, but with a revised schedule after a thorough “reset” for the series.
“I asked for this with the network. We had a discussion,” Urman told TV Insider. “I believe we had a lot to consider because we really wrapped things up thoughtfully, and it was crucial for us to avoid dragging out the same story. The characters deserve to evolve emotionally.”
Urman revealed that season 2 would conclude the Wellbrexa storyline, signifying a complete “reset” for the series.
“With our two-hour finale, we addressed many story arcs, and this meant I would need time afterward to construct the foundation for the next seasons,” she hinted. “I’m eager about it, but I’m also appreciative because we needed some time.”
Urman acknowledged the potential disappointment from fans, stating, “It may be disappointing for the audience, but it’s actually beneficial for me and the writers. I aim to plot this new mystery and ensure it’s well-crafted.”
She added: “We had many elements to integrate, so we needed to develop this new direction. I’m fortunate that the network is allowing us the time to ensure everything is perfect because I don’t want the quality to decline.”
CBS had previously announced its schedule on April 15, highlighting the significant changes. Ghosts, Matlock, and NCIS: Sydney will experience a shift, with their premieres postponed to midseason 2027. They will accompany the new show Einstein, which will also debut in 2027.
Matlock’s time slot will be filled by Elsbeth, allowing Cupertino to premiere on the same evening. Meanwhile, NCIS: Sydney is being pushed to midseason, as NCIS: Origins takes its place due to a reduced episode order, pairing with NCIS: New York.
