Awards season continues to rage on, with the 30th Critics Choice Awards being the latest in a slew of lavish celebrations of achievement in entertainment. One of the top honors at the event saw a crowded field of strong contenders battle for Best Actress In A Drama Series. With talented nominees such as Keira Knightley, Kerri Russell, and Shanola Hampton, it was legendary screen star, Kathy Bates, who walked away with the coveted honor for her appearance in the highly praised reworking of Matlock. The 2025 win marks the actor’s first victory in the television iteration of the awards, following two previous nominations for her work on the Coven & Hotel iterations of American Horror Story.
Following a profanity-laced reaction to her name being called, stemming from pure shock at winning the Critics’ Choice Award, it was Bates’ speech that left everyone talking. The iconic performer declared in her speech that she would be donating the trophy to Matlock’s executive producer, Eric Christian Olsen, perhaps best known for his role on NCIS: Los Angeles as Marty Deek. He remains with the network following NCIS: LA’s cancelation. A quote from Bates’ acceptance speech referencing Olsen and the reason for her generous donation can be found below:

[He] had a house in the [Pacific] Palisades, and it burned down.

Bates later referenced that the award would make a great piece of decor in Olsen’s new home. However, further discussing the horrific Los Angeles fires, Bates went on to give high praise to the first responders who battled the seemingly endless flames of destruction. According to E Online, Bates remarked, “To watch all the film of you guys standing in a line with a wall of flames in front of you is just terrifying. I don’t know how you did it, but I thank you so much for so many of us in Los Angeles.”
Matlock Is Poised To Mark End Of Bates’ Legendary Career

Bates’ win for her portrayal in the Matlock reboot for the show’s freshman season is somewhat bittersweet because the actress may only have a handful of these moments left. She previously announced the decision to walk away from acting after the conclusion of Matlock. However, she has since backtracked on those comments, instead revealing that a difficult project left her on the brink of retirement, but the show has seemingly breathed new life into her passion for acting.
Bates securing the win during the Critics Choice Awards was met with significant adulation across social media. The vast majority of online watchers appeared to be thrilled for her monumental win. One user took to X, writing, “Good!!!!! I hope this convinces her NOT to retire like she said she was thinking of doing-don’t you dare leave us now Kathy we love you way too much for you to leave us-such an amazing actress!!!”
Kathy also went on to refer to her win at the ceremony as a “big deal” for broadcast TV. With the continued domination of streaming services such as Netflix and Max, seeing CBS take home the prestigious award is a sizable win for the network.

Matlock

Release Date

September 22, 2024

Network

CBS

Writers

Jennie Snyder Urman