When the 2025 Emmy nominations were announced this week, one of the most surprising, and well-deserved, entries in the Best Actress in a Drama Series category came from broadcast television. Kathy Bates, nominated for her role in CBS’s Matlock, made history as the oldest nominee ever in the category, proving that powerhouse performances don’t just belong to streaming and prestige cable series. As Matty Matlock, the Oscar-winner brings depth, warmth, and sharp comedic timing to a legal procedural that could have easily felt formulaic in lesser hands. Her nomination is a testament to how much she elevates the show.
But while Bates fully deserves her flowers, her nomination also throws a spotlight on one of the Emmy’s biggest oversights: Skye P. Marshall. As Olympia Lawrence, a sharp and tenacious lawyer at Jacobson Moore, Marshall delivered one of the most emotionally grounded performances of the season. She more than held her own opposite Bates, matching her in intensity, and at times even stealing the scene. And in moments when Marshall had to carry entire storylines on her own, she did it with a subtlety and strength that made Olympia one of the show’s most compelling characters. If Matlock getting Emmy recognition is a win for network drama, then leaving Marshall out of the conversation feels like a huge miss.
Skye P. Marshall Gave ‘Matlock’ One of Its Richest Characters
Since her introduction in the Matlock pilot, Olympia has grown into a character with depth far beyond the “tough lawyer” archetype. She could have easily been portrayed as guarded, brash and dismissive, especially toward Matty, her unconventional new co-worker. But Skye P. Marshall made sure Olympia was never one-note. She infused her with complexity, letting flashes of vulnerability and strength coexist in the same scene. It’s the kind of grounded, layered performance that elevates not just the character, but the show as a whole.
Good writing certainly helps, but it’s Marshall’s performance that gives Olympia her soul. While she delivered strong work throughout the season, one episode in particular felt like her true Emmy moment: Episode 17, “I Was That, Too”. After spending much of the season riding the emotional highs and lows of difficult cases and the uncertainty around making partner, Olympia finally confronts Matty after learning she was lying about who she really was. At the core of Matlock was a growing, deeply real friendship between Olympia and Matty, which was one of the most compelling relationships on television this year. The audience had been anticipating Olympia’s reaction to Matty’s long-held secret, and when the moment finally came, Skye P. Marshall delivered a performance that captured betrayal, heartbreak, and, ultimately, compassion.
The journey Olympia goes on in that episode is a masterclass in layered acting. She begins with pure anger and betrayal, even going so far as to lock Matty in a room, walking a dangerous ethical line in her pursuit of the truth. That anger then gives way to deep sadness and a sense of loss, as she confronts the end of a friendship she once trusted and opens up about the paranoia Matty’s lies triggered in her. And finally, after learning Matty was at Jacobson Moore seeking justice for her daughter’s death, Olympia shifts again to empathy, and ultimately, a renewed sense of purpose.
This arc alone is enough to justify Skye P. Marshall’s place on the Emmy shortlist for Supporting Actress. In fact, the humanity Marshall brought to Olympia was so powerful that viewers could easily find themselves siding with her over the show’s titular lead, which is a testament to just how grounded and emotionally resonant her performance truly was. It’s also a perfect example of how network television is evolving, delivering character-driven storytelling that rivals even the most lauded prestige dramas.
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“You are the Johnson Case.”
It’s Time the Emmys Took Network Performances Seriously Again
There’s no question the Emmys have shifted heavily toward prestige cable and streaming series. But in doing so, they’re overlooking some of the most grounded, emotionally resonant performances on television, many of which are happening in network dramas like Matlock. The irony is that network TV is currently delivering some of its most character-driven storytelling in years. Matlock may present itself as a straightforward legal procedural, but beneath the surface, it digs deep into trauma, insecurity, and what makes its characters human. Olympia is at the heart of that, especially after the bombshell finale pulls her personal life into her work. In an era when audiences crave rich characters as much as twisty plots, Matlock delivered, and Skye P. Marshall was a big reason why.
Of course, much of the spotlight has rightfully gone to Kathy Bates, who brings tremendous nuance, wit, and weight to the role. But what makes Matlock truly sing is that Bates isn’t carrying the series alone. Marshall matched her scene for scene, grounding the show’s emotional arcs and allowing Olympia to shine in her own right. Bates may remain the anchor for as long as she chooses, but if Marshall proved anything this season, it’s that she’s more than capable of stepping into the lead. She helped define the show’s tone and anchored some of its most powerful, character-driven moments.
The Emmys got it right by nominating Kathy Bates, but they missed the bigger picture by leaving out Skye P. Marshall. If the Television Academy wants to truly honor the best of what TV has to offer, it needs to start taking performances like Marshall’s seriously. In a time when network television is evolving and character-driven storytelling is thriving, Marshall helped make Matlock one of the year’s most emotionally resonant dramas, and she deserves the recognition to match.
All episodes of Matlock are available to stream on Paramount+ in the U.S.
Matlock
- Release Date
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September 22, 2024
- Network
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CBS
- Directors
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Kat Coiro, Brad Silberling, Gina Lamar, Hanelle M. Culpepper, Jennifer Lynch, Jude Weng, Tessa Blake, Yangzom Brauen, Marie Jamora, Daniel Willis
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Kathy Bates
Madeline ‘Matty’ Matlock
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Skye P. Marshall
Olympia Lawrence
