Release CalendarTop 250 MoviesMost Popular MoviesBrowse Movies by GenreTop Box OfficeShowtimes & TicketsMovie NewsIndia Movie Spotlight
    What's on TV & StreamingTop 250 TV ShowsMost Popular TV ShowsBrowse TV Shows by GenreTV News
    What to WatchLatest TrailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb SpotlightFamily Entertainment GuideIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsCannes Film FestivalStar WarsAsian Pacific American Heritage MonthSummer Watch GuideSTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll Events
    Born TodayMost Popular CelebsCelebrity News
    Help CenterContributor ZonePolls
For Industry Professionals
  • Language
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Watchlist
Sign In
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Use app
Episode guide
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • FAQ
IMDbPro

Matlock

  • TV Series
  • 1986–1995
  • TV-PG
  • 1h
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
10K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
878
137
Andy Griffith in Matlock (1986)
Matlock: Season 1
Play trailer0:46
4 Videos
99+ Photos
Legal DramaWhodunnitCrimeDramaMystery

Ben Matlock is a very expensive criminal defense attorney, who charges one hundred thousand dollars to take a case. Fortunately, he's worth every penny, as he and his associates defend his c... Read allBen Matlock is a very expensive criminal defense attorney, who charges one hundred thousand dollars to take a case. Fortunately, he's worth every penny, as he and his associates defend his clients by finding the real killer.Ben Matlock is a very expensive criminal defense attorney, who charges one hundred thousand dollars to take a case. Fortunately, he's worth every penny, as he and his associates defend his clients by finding the real killer.

  • Creator
    • Dean Hargrove
  • Stars
    • Andy Griffith
    • Linda Purl
    • Kene Holiday
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.1/10
    10K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    878
    137
    • Creator
      • Dean Hargrove
    • Stars
      • Andy Griffith
      • Linda Purl
      • Kene Holiday
    • 41User reviews
    • 13Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 Primetime Emmy
      • 5 wins & 5 nominations total

    Episodes181

    Browse episodes
    TopTop-rated

    Videos4

    Matlock: Clip 1
    Clip 1:48
    Matlock: Clip 1
    Matlock: Clip 3
    Clip 0:48
    Matlock: Clip 3
    Matlock: Clip 3
    Clip 0:48
    Matlock: Clip 3
    Matlock: Clip 2
    Clip 1:12
    Matlock: Clip 2
    Matlock: Season 1
    Trailer 0:46
    Matlock: Season 1

    Photos2299

    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    + 2.3K
    View Poster

    Top cast99+

    Edit
    Andy Griffith
    Andy Griffith
    • Ben Matlock…
    • 1986–1995
    Linda Purl
    Linda Purl
    • Charlene Matlock
    • 1986–1987
    Kene Holiday
    Kene Holiday
    • Tyler Hudson
    • 1986–1991
    Nancy Stafford
    Nancy Stafford
    • Michelle Thomas…
    • 1986–1992
    Julie Sommars
    Julie Sommars
    • Julie March
    • 1987–1994
    Clarence Gilyard Jr.
    Clarence Gilyard Jr.
    • Conrad McMasters
    • 1989–1993
    David Froman
    David Froman
    • Lt. Bob Brooks…
    • 1986–1994
    Daniel Roebuck
    Daniel Roebuck
    • Cliff Lewis…
    • 1987–1995
    Richard Newton
    • Judge Richard Cooksey…
    • 1986–1992
    Brynn Thayer
    Brynn Thayer
    • Leanne McIntyre…
    • 1991–1994
    Kari Lizer
    Kari Lizer
    • Cassie Phillips…
    • 1986–1988
    Michael Durrell
    Michael Durrell
    • D.A. Lloyd Burgess
    • 1986–1993
    Warren Frost
    Warren Frost
    • Billy Lewis
    • 1991–1995
    Don Knotts
    Don Knotts
    • Les Calhoun
    • 1988–1992
    Al Wiggins
    • Judge Clagett…
    • 1993–1995
    Carol Huston
    Carol Huston
    • Jerri Stone
    • 1994–1995
    Lucille Meredith
    Lucille Meredith
    • Judge Irene Sawyer
    • 1986–1990
    Lee Lively
    • Judge Caldwell…
    • 1989–1994
    • Creator
      • Dean Hargrove
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews41

    7.110.1K
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8
    9
    10

    Featured reviews

    jadayocum

    This is one of the best series thats ever been shown on TV

    I Love this show I can watch reruns over & over again & never get tired of watching it. It is far most the best television series to ever air on t.v. I just wish It was still being Made. It is Wholesome & Entertaining.I hope to see all of the episodes & I hope It continues to be around for many years to come so that my children would be able to enjoy it. The Cast is awesome there are so many wonderful faces that gives you the sense that it is a real hometown portrait. I love the smart way Ben always seems to be able to solve every mystery. We really could use more shows like this today I really wish that it was still being produced, But I'm sure that the way things are left is the only way it should be Because no one could replace the cast members.
    7stewievictoryismine

    Good early seasons, but the later ones...

    Good idea and for awhile good execution. But the later seasons turned Andy Griffith into a mumbling, stuttering idiot. This is one series where less is more. Watch the 1st 4-5 seasons then walk away..
    aimless-46

    Season One Will Be Out On DVD In April

    Here it is, almost 1200 minutes of the mystery series "Matlock", 24 episodes (including the pilot) that were broadcast during NBC's 1986-1987 season. So let's forget all we know about the long run of this series and just talk about its premiere season.

    Years after his run as Sheriff Andy Taylor, Andy Griffith finally got another regular job. This time he is playing Ben Matlock, an Atlanta lawyer who talks like Sheriff Andy. It's a comfortable role in a tried and true format; a mix of "Perry Mason" and "Columbo". "Columbo" veteran Dean Hargrove dreamed up the series and shared executive producer duties with Fred Silverman.

    The focus is on the title character and Griffith is great fun to watch. He charms and sweet talks his way through each case, getting everyone to let down their guard because they underestimate this good old boy as much as they did the seemingly scatterbrained "Columbo". Both series revolved around the main character's ability discern something incriminating in seemingly innocent little things and to pick up on a guilty party's casual slip of the tongue.

    In the "Perry Mason" tradition Matlock is not bound by the conventional rules of evidence or procedural requirements once he gets into a courtroom. He can say anything and introduce any sort of evidence simply by reassuring the judge that his line or questioning will eventually become relevant. Be prepared for the obligatory breakdowns and confessions on the witness stand. The prosecutors can only shake their heads and bluster helplessly in the face of Matlock's cunning strategy.

    Matlock is assisted by the show's version of Perry Mason's Paul and Della. In season one these are his daughter and partner Charlene Matlock (Lori Lethin in the pilot-Linda Purl in the regular episodes) and his investigator Tyler Hudson (Kene Holliday). His junior partner Michele Thomas (Nancy Stafford) would not join the team as a regular until the nest season and it wasn't until 1988 that Don Knotts reprises his Barney role as Ben's neighbor Les "Ace" Calhoun.

    Season One's episodes #6 and #7 (a two part story titled "The Don") featured William Conrad as District Attorney James "Fatman" McShane. The next year the producers took this character, changed his name slightly to Jason Lochinvar 'Fatman' McCabe, and with Conrad created the long-running series "Jake and the Fatman". Then again, what do I know? I'm only a child.
    thekats1967

    I love this show!!!

    I am a huge fan of Andy Griffith and Matlock! I even find myself watching it more now then I do The Andy Griffith Show. The stories are superbly written and its just really fun to watch Ben Matlock (Andy Griffith) outwit the "real" killers on the stand. My favorite episodes have to be the ones with Michelle, Conrad, and Charlene his daughter. I just wish you could buy Matlock episodes on tape and another movie would air.
    Craven80

    Awesome show, great plots!

    Yeah, this is one of the best shows ever to be made.

    It had good characters, great stories, twists, and some unexpected humor.

    It's a really good show, and I'm not even over 60...or 30 for that matter.

    -Guess who got me into the show though:...Grandparents. =)

    More like this

    Murder, She Wrote
    7.2
    Murder, She Wrote
    Diagnosis Murder
    6.9
    Diagnosis Murder
    Matlock
    7.6
    Matlock
    Simon & Simon
    7.0
    Simon & Simon
    Hart to Hart
    6.7
    Hart to Hart
    Father Dowling Mysteries
    6.9
    Father Dowling Mysteries
    Columbo
    8.3
    Columbo
    Perry Mason
    8.3
    Perry Mason
    Magnum, P.I.
    7.5
    Magnum, P.I.
    Remington Steele
    7.3
    Remington Steele
    In the Heat of the Night
    7.6
    In the Heat of the Night
    MacGyver
    7.6
    MacGyver

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Kene Holiday was terminated after the third season, due to his ongoing battle with drugs and alcohol.
    • Goofs
      Prison and jail cells are frequently shown without toilets in them. In the United States of America, the vast majority of jail cells and all prison cells have toilets in them.
    • Quotes

      [repeated line]

      Ben Matlock: Jackass!

    • Connections
      Featured in Manufacturing Consent: Noam Chomsky and the Media (1992)

    Top picks

    Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations
    Sign in

    FAQ20

    • How many seasons does Matlock have?Powered by Alexa
    • Does Ben Matlock win every case?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 3, 1986 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • INSP
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Метлок
    • Filming locations
      • Wilmington, North Carolina, USA
    • Production companies
      • Dean Hargrove Productions
      • Fred Silverman Company
      • The Matlock Company
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

    Related news

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    Andy Griffith in Matlock (1986)
    Top Gap
    What is the Hindi language plot outline for Matlock (1986)?
    Answer
    • See more gaps
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit pageAdd episode

    More to explore

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb app
    Sign in for more accessSign in for more access
    Follow IMDb on social
    Get the IMDb app
    For Android and iOS
    Get the IMDb app
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • License IMDb Data
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Your Ads Privacy Choices
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2025 by IMDb.com, Inc.