The 2024 series is a remake of the original Matlock that aired with Andy Griffith, but flips the lead character's gender and features a vastly different premise centered on a hidden agenda to uncover the truth behind an opioid-related death.

Within the show's own fictional universe, the original Matlock series exists and aired just as it did in reality, and Ellie's love of that show is what inspires Madeline to adopt the 'Matlock' alias.

The remake was first announced as in development on January 31, 2023, with Jennie Snyder Urman writing the pilot, and it received a full series order on May 9, 2023.

Although the story is set in New York City, the series is actually filmed at Paramount Studios in California, after the pilot episode was shot in Toronto.

The show's move to the 2024–25 season was caused by strike-related production delays.

On September 8, 2024, Kathy Bates stated that Matlock would be her final role before retirement, but she walked back the statement a month later, saying people had gotten 'a bit confused.'

David Del Rio, who played Billy Martinez, was fired from the series in October 2025 due to a sexual assault allegation involving co-star Leah Lewis.

In June 2026, former story editor and writer John Lowe filed a lawsuit against CBS Studios and showrunner Jennie Snyder Urman, alleging a hostile work environment that included racially stereotyped comments, sexually explicit conduct, and being coerced into caring for Urman's dog for a year under implied threat to his job.

Rotten Tomatoes reported a 100% approval rating with an average score of 7.7/10 based on 24 critic reviews, while Metacritic gave the series a score of 73 out of 100 based on 12 critics, indicating 'generally favorable' reviews.