Kathy Bates, 77, has become the oldest woman Nominated In the Lead Drama Actress category for playing the titular role in the CBS hit series Matlock. She beats the previous record set by Imelda Staunton, who was nominated in 2024 for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for playing Queen Elizabeth II in Netflix’s The Crown.
Carol Burnett, at 91 in 2024, became the oldest performer ever nominated for a Primetime Emmy, specifically for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.
From Jennie Snyder Urman, Matlock stars Bates as Madeline “Matty” Matlock, a brilliant septuagenarian who achieved success in her younger years and decides to rejoin the workforce at a prestigious law firm where she uses her unassuming demeanor and wily tactics to win cases. Matty is assigned to Olympia (Skye P. Marshall), a senior attorney and key rainmaker with a thirst for justice. Olympia’s ex-husband, Julian (Jason Ritter), the son of the firm’s head (Beau Bridges), is intrigued by Matty and her clever skills.
Bates has received two nominations in 2025 for her work on the series: a Screen Actors Guild and a Golden Globe Award. She also won a Gotham TV Award for Outstanding Lead Performance in a Drama Series for her role as Madeline Matlock.
