Kathy Bates is showcasing her incredible talents on screen and might very well capture the attention of Emmy voters once again in the upcoming awards season.

As a true icon of both stage and screen, Bates is on the brink of making Emmy history this year. Should she earn a nomination for her captivating role in CBS’s reboot of “Matlock,” she will achieve the remarkable feat of becoming the oldest nominee ever in the lead drama actress category at the age of 77.

Born on June 28, 1948, Bates will be just two weeks shy of her birthday when the 2025 Emmy nominations are revealed on July 17. If her name is announced — and many believe she is the frontrunner in the category — she will surpass the record set by Angela Lansbury, who was 70 when she received her final nomination in 1996 for “Murder, She Wrote.”

In the highly anticipated series “Matlock,” Bates takes on the role of Madeline “Matty” Matlock, a woman who returns to the legal profession decades after her retirement under grim circumstances. The public narrative suggests she was widowed and left devastated by her husband’s gambling addiction, ultimately forced to raise her grandson after the tragic death of her daughter in a car accident. She is hired at the prestigious law firm Jacobson Moore, where she is mentored by Olympia, a sharp junior partner, despite her own decades of legal expertise.

However, beneath the surface, Matlock is not who she appears to be.

Her true identity is Madeline Kingston — a woman of wealth who is still blissfully married, yet she harbors a secret vendetta. The profound loss she truly mourns is that of her daughter, who tragically died from an opioid overdose. Her transformation into “Matlock” — a nod to the beloved TV series — is part of a meticulously planned mission to seek justice for her daughter’s untimely demise.

Bates artfully balances these dual identities with her signature nuance, presenting audiences with a character rich in wit, determination, and heartbreak. This role is perfectly suited for an actress of her caliber, and the early buzz indicates that Emmy voters are taking notice.

This would not be Bates’ first time under the Emmy spotlight. She has previously claimed two Emmys — one for her role in “Two and a Half Men” in the guest comedy actress category and another for her performance in “American Horror Story: Coven” as a supporting actress in a limited series. Additionally, she received a nomination in the lead drama actress category in 2012 for her portrayal of Harriet Korn in “Harry’s Law,” where she depicted another strong, principled attorney. At that time, she was 64, making her the fifth oldest nominee in the history of the category.

A highly respected figure in the Hollywood industry, Bates is also an Academy Award winner for her unforgettable performance as an obsessive fan in the film “Misery” (1990), and she received a Tony Award nomination for lead actress in a play for her role in the acclaimed production of “’night, Mother” in 1983.

A nomination for her role in “Matlock” would position Bates at the pinnacle of a remarkable list of acting legends who have received Emmy nominations during notable second chapters of their careers. This illustrious group includes talents such as Cicely Tyson (“Sweet Justice,” age 70), Imelda Staunton (“The Crown,” age 68), and Glenn Close (“Damages,” age 65).

Here is a detailed look at the ten oldest nominees in the category that Bates is poised to surpass:

As of 2025, Glenn Close holds the record for being the oldest winner in this category at the age of 65. Should Bates win the prestigious statuette, she would break that record by a significant margin of 12 years. It has been a decade since a woman from a network TV show has claimed victory in this category — the last being Viola Davis for ABC’s “How to Get Away with Murder,” and it has been 11 years since CBS took home this award with Julianna Margulies for “The Good Wife” in 2014.

Bates finds herself in a highly competitive race that is anticipated to feature contenders such as Keri Russell (“The Diplomat”), Britt Lower (“Severance”), and Bella Ramsey, who made headlines as the fourth-youngest nominee in this category in 2023 at the age of 19 for her role in “The Last of Us.”

In comparison, in the lead drama actor category, Anthony Hopkins currently holds the record for being the oldest nominee at the age of 79 for his performance in “Westworld” in 2017.

Discover the Latest Emmy Award Predictions Below:

Awards Circuit: Emmys

In an industry often criticized for sidelining older women, Bates continues to redefine what is possible for actresses of a certain age. Her powerful performance in “Matlock” has already garnered her a Critics Choice Award earlier this year, triumphing over critical favorite Anna Sawai for “Shōgun.”

Together with Bates, CBS is making a significant awards push for “Matlock” across various categories. The network is also nominating Critics Choice nominee Skye P. Marshall, Jason Ritter, David Del Rio, and Leah Lewis in the supporting drama categories, while veteran actor Beau Bridges, at 83, will compete in the guest drama actor race, making him one of the top ten oldest nominees in the history of the category. Moreover, writer and executive producer Jennie Snyder Urman will be submitting the pilot for consideration.

Regardless of whether she takes home the Emmy, a nomination would represent a crowning achievement in a career filled with them — and another testament to why Kathy Bates remains one of the most respected and resilient talents of her generation.

The two-part season finale of “Matlock” is set to air on April 17 on CBS, promising an exhilarating conclusion to the season.

Stay tuned for this week’s Emmy predictions in key series and acting categories below. For a comprehensive breakdown of every Primetime Emmy race, visit our main awards page, and explore the official rankings on each individual category page.

Best Drama Series Nominations Include:
“Andor”
“The Diplomat”
“The Last of Us”
“The Pit”
“Severance”
“Slow Horses”
“Squid Game”
“The White Lotus”

Lead Actor Nominations in Drama:
Sterling K. Brown, “Paradise”
Gary Oldman, “Slow Horses”
Eddie Redmayne, “The Day of the Jackal”
Adam Scott, “Severance”
Billy Bob Thornton, “Landman”
Noah Wyle, “The Pit”

Lead Actress Nominations in Drama:
Kathy Bates, “Matlock”
Britt Lower, “Severance”
Melanie Lynskey, “Yellowjackets”
Elisabeth Moss, “The Handmaid’s Tale”
Bella Ramsey, “The Last of Us”
Keri Russell, “The Diplomat”

Supporting Actor Nominations in Drama:
Zach Cherry, “Severance”
Walton Goggins, “The White Lotus”
Jason Isaacs, “The White Lotus”
Younger Mazino, “The Last of Us”
Pedro Pascal, “The Last of Us”
Sam Rockwell, “The White Lotus”
Tramell Tillman, “Severance”
John Turturro, “Severance”

Supporting Actress Nominations in Drama:
Adria Arjona, “Andor”
Patricia Arquette, “Severance”
Carrie Coon, “The White Lotus”
Kaitlyn Dever, “The Last of Us”
Allison Janney, “The Diplomat”
Katherine LaNasa, “The Pit”
Catherine O’Hara, “The Last of Us”
Parker Posey, “The White Lotus”

Guest Actor Nominations in Drama:
Andy Garcia, “Landman”
Scott Glenn, “The White Lotus”
Shawn Hatosy, “The Pit”
Joe Pantoliano, “The Last of Us”
Jeffrey Wright, “The Last of Us”

Guest Actress Nominations in Drama:
Gwendoline Christie, “Severance”
Fiona Shaw, “Bad Sisters”
Hilary Swank, “Yellowjackets”
Tracey Ullman, “Black Doves”
Merrit Wever, “Severance”

Best Comedy Series Nominations Include:
“Abbott Elementary”
“The Bear”
“The Four Seasons”
“Hacks”
“Nobody Wants This”
“Only Murders in the Building”
“Shrinking”
“The Studio”

Lead Actor Nominations in Comedy:
Adam Brody, “Nobody Wants This”
Steve Martin, “Only Murders in the Building”
Seth Rogen, “The Studio”
Martin Short, “Only Murders in the Building”
Jeremy Allen White, “The Bear”

Lead Actress Nominations in Comedy:
Kristen Bell, “Nobody Wants This”
Quinta Brunson, “Abbott Elementary”
Tina Fey, “The Four Seasons”
Natasha Lyonne, “Poker Face”
Jean Smart, “Hacks”

Supporting Actor Nominations in Comedy:
Ike Barinholtz, “The Studio”
Colman Domingo, “The Four Seasons”
Paul W. Downs, “Hacks”
Harrison Ford, “Shrinking”
Ebon Moss-Bach, “The Bear”
Tyler James Williams, “Abbott Elementary”
Bowen Yang, “Saturday Night Live”

Supporting Actress Nominations in Comedy:
Liza Colón-Zayas, “The Bear”
Hannah Einbinder, “Hacks”
Kathryn Hahn, “The Studio”
Janelle James, “Abbott Elementary”
Linda Lavin, “Mid-Century Modern”
Catherine O’Hara, “The Studio”
Sheryl Lee Ralph, “Abbott Elementary”

Guest Actor Nominations in Comedy:
Jon Bernthal, “The Bear”
John Cena, “The Bear”
Bryan Cranston, “The Studio”
Timothée Chalamet, “Saturday Night Live”
Christopher McDonald, “Hacks”
Martin Scorsese, “The Studio”

Guest Actress Nominations in Comedy:
Jamie Lee Curtis, “The Bear”
Cynthia Erivo, “Poker Face”
Ariana Grande, “Saturday Night Live”
Melissa McCarthy, “Only Murders in the Building”
Julianne Nicholson, “Hacks”
Sarah Polley, “The Studio”

Best Limited or Anthology Series Nominations Include:
“Adolescence”
“Black Mirror”
“Disclaimer”
“Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story”
“The Penguin”

Television Movie Nominations Include:
“Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy”
“The Gorge”
“Mountainhead”
“Out of My Mind”
“Rebel Ridge”

Lead Actor Nominations in Limited or Anthology Series or Television Movie:
Colin Farrell, “The Penguin”
Paul Giamatti, “Black Mirror”
Stephen Graham, “Adolescence”
Brian Tyree Henry, “Dope Thief”
Cooper Koch, “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story”

Lead Actress Nominations in Limited or Anthology Series or Television Movie:
Cate Blanchett, “Disclaimer”
Cristin Milioti, “The Penguin”
Ellen Pompeo, “Good American Family”
Amanda Seyfried, “Long Bright River”
Michelle Williams, “Dying for Sex”

Supporting Actor Nominations in Limited or Anthology Series or Television Movie:
Javier Bardem, “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story”
Owen Cooper, “Adolescence”
Jay Duplass, “Dying for Sex”
Rhenzy Feliz, “The Penguin”
Diego Luna, “La Máquina”
Ashley Walters, “Adolescence”

Supporting Actress Nominations in Limited or Anthology Series or Television Movie:
Emma Corrin, “Black Mirror”
Erin Doherty, “Adolescence”
Lesley Manville, “Disclaimer”
Deirdre O’Connell, “The Penguin”
Jenny Slate, “Dying for Sex”
Christine Tremarco, “Adolescence”