CBS has ordered two high-profile pilots to potentially debut next season. One is a remake of “Matlock” starring Kathy Bates. The other is “Elsbeth,” a second spin-off of “The Good Wife” but this time focusing on the scene-stealing recurring character Elsbeth Tascioni (Carrie Preston).
The new take on the Andy Griffith-led original begins when brilliant septuagenarian Madeline Matlock (Bates) rejoins the workforce at a prestigious law firm where she uses her unassuming demeanour and wily tactics to win cases and expose corruption from within.
The new “Matlock” is inspired by the original series which aired over nine seasons from 1986-1995 across NBC and then ABC along with gestating the spin-off series “Jake and the Fatman” which ran for five seasons at CBS.
The new take hails from Jennie Snyder Urman who writes and executive produces the pilot via her Sutton Street Productions label for CBS Studios. Bates, Joanna Klein, Eric Christian Olsen and John Will also executive produce.
Meanwhile “Elsbeth” is being penned by “The Good Wife” and “The Good Fight” creators Robert and Michelle King with Robert also set to direct the pilot. The Kings and Liz Glotzer executive produce via King Size Productions for CBS Studios.
The new series begins when astute but unconventional attorney Elsbeth Tascioni leaves her successful law career in Chicago to move to New York where she utilises her singular point of view to make unique observations and corner brilliant criminals alongside the NYPD.
These two projects join two other series that have opened writers’ rooms ahead of potential straight-to-series pickups for the 2024-2025 season – Craig Sweeny’s “Watson” which offers a contemporary take on Sherlock Holmes’ offsider, and Marcus Dalzine’s medical drama “The Pact”.
Source: TV Line
