Kathy Bates is scoring victories on-screen, and she could also convince Emmy voters to take her side next.
Bates, a giant figure in both theater and cinema, is set to create Emmy history this year. Should she secure a nomination for her captivating role in CBS’s “Matlock” revival, she would be recognized as the eldest nominee in the awards’ history.
lead drama actress
Category: At the age of 77.
Born on June 28, 1948, Bates will turn 77 shortly after the 2025 Emmy nominations are revealed on July 17. If her name makes the list — which many expect since she’s considered the leading contender in this category — she’ll break the record previously set by Angela Lansbury, who earned her last nomination at age 70 back in 1996 for “Murder, She Wrote.”
In “Matlock,” Bates portrays Madeline “Matty” Matlock, a former lawyer who returns to the legal arena years after retirement due to what appears to be unfortunate events. According to the official narrative, Matty became a widow struggling with financial ruin because of her spouse’s compulsive gambling habit. Following this tragedy, she had to take care of her grandson after his mother died in an automobile crash. Despite having accumulated extensive experience over many years as a lawyer, she joins the esteemed law practice Jacobson Moore, working under Olympia, a perceptive young associate.
However, underneath it all, Matlock is not what she portrays herself to be.
Her real name is Madeline Kingston – a woman of means, still happily married, but harboring a secret vendetta. The true loss she’s grieving is that of her daughter, who died from an opioid overdose. Her reinvention as “Matlock” – a nod to the beloved TV series – is part of a calculated mission to seek justice for her daughter’s death.
Bates skillfully navigates these contrasting personas with characteristic subtlety, providing viewers a character rich in humor, determination, and sorrow. This part seems crafted specifically for an actor of her stature, and initial reactions indicate that Emmy nominators are taking notice.
This wouldn’t be Bates’ first time in the Emmy spotlight. She has previously won two Emmys – for “Two and a Half Men” in the guest comedy actress category and for “American Horror Story: Coven” in supporting actress (limited series). She also earned a nomination in the lead drama actress category in 2012 for her work in “Harry’s Law,” where she played Harriet Korn, another fierce, principled attorney. At the time, she was 64, and currently stands as the fifth oldest nominee in the category’s history.
Without a doubt respected within the film industry, Bates has earned an Academy Award for her role as a obsessed admirer in “Misery” (1990) and was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Lead Actress in a Play for her work in “‘night, Mother” from 1983.
Still, a nomination for “Matlock” would place her atop a remarkable list of acting legends who earned Emmy nods in impressive second chapters of their careers, including Cicely Tyson (“Sweet Justice,” age 70), Imelda Staunton (“The Crown,” age 68) and Glenn Close (“Damages,” age 65).
Here’s a glance at the 10 eldest former nominees who would be surpassed by Bates in this category:
- Angela Lansbury – “Murder, She Wrote” (1996) – Age 70
- Cicely Tyson – “Sweet Justice” (1995) – Age 70
- Imelda Staunton – “The Crown” (2024) – 68 Years Old
- Glenn Close – “Damages” (2012) – Age 65
- Kathy Bates – “Harry’s Law” (2012) – Age 64
- Joan Blondell – “Here Come the Brides” (1970) – At 63 Years Old
- Sally Field – “Brothers & Sisters” (2009) – Age 62
- Jeanette Nolan – “Dirty Sally” (1974) – Age 62
- Barbara Stanwyck – “The Big Valley” (1968) – Age 60
- Barbara Bel Geddes – “Dallas” (1981) – Age 58
By 2025, Close set the record as the oldest victor in the category at age 65. Should Bates claim the award, she would surpass that record by 12 years. The last time a female actor from a network television series won this category was a decade ago when Viola Davis took it for her role in ABC’s “How to Get Away with Murder.” Additionally, it has been 11 years since CBS secured this accolade, which occurred in 2014 when Julianna Margulies won for her performance in “The Good Wife.”
Bates finds herself in a fiercely contested race alongside Keri Russell from “The Diplomat,” Britt Lower from “Severance,” and Bella Ramsey, who was the youngest nominee in the category in 2023 at just 19 years old for her role in “The Last of Us.”
In contrast, in the leading drama actor category, Anthony Hopkins currently has the distinction of being the oldest nominee at age 79 for his role in the 2017 series “Westworld.”
Check out the Emmy Award forecasts listed below:
Awards Circuit: Emmys
In an industry frequently faulted for marginalizing senior female talents, Bates persists in reshaping perceptions of actresses at a particular stage of life. Her role in “Matlock” secured her a Critics Choice Award previously, where she triumphed over acclaimed actress Anna Sawai from “Shōgun.”
In addition to Bates, CBS is heavily promoting “Matlock” across all categories. The network has also entered Critics’ Choice nominees Skye P. Marshall, Jason Ritter, David Del Rio, and Leah Lewis into the supporting drama competitions. Veteran actor Beau Bridges, aged 83, will vie for the guest drama actor award, potentially placing him among the ten eldest contenders ever nominated in this category’s history. Furthermore, writer and executive producer Jennie Snyder Urman plans to submit the show’s pilot for consideration.
Whether or not she takes home the Emmy, a nom would mark a crowning achievement in a career full of them – and one more reason Kathy Bates remains one of the most respected and resilient talents of her generation.
The double-header season finale will be broadcasted on April 17 on CBS.
Check out this week’s Emmy predictions in key series and acting categories below. For a full breakdown of every Primetime Emmy race, visit our
main awards page
, and delve into the official rankings on each respective category page.
Emmy Predictions Tracking
(April 17, 2025)
Drama Series
“Andor”
“The Diplomat”
“The Last of Us”
“The Pitt”
“Severance”
“Slow Horses”
“Squid Game”
“The White Lotus”
Lead Actor (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 Pitt”
Lead Actress (Drama)
Kathy Bates, “Matlock”
Britt Lower, “Severance”
Melanie Lynskey, “Yellowjackets”
Elisabeth Moss stars in “The Handmaid’s Tale.”
Bella Ramsey from “The Last of Us”
Keri Russell, “The Diplomat”
Supporting Actor (Drama)
Zach Cherry, “Severance”
Walton Goggins starred in “The White Lotus.”
Jason Isaacs, “The White Lotus”
Young Mazino, “The Last of Us”
Pedro Pascal starred in “The Last of Us.”
Sam Rockwell, “The White Lotus”
Tramell Tillman, “Severance”
John Turturro, “Severance”
Supporting Actress (Drama)
Adria Arjona, “Andor”
Patricia Arquette, “Severance”
Carrie Coon starred in “The White Lotus.”
Kaitlyn Dever, “The Last of Us”
Allison Janney, “The Diplomat”
Katherine LaNasa, “The Pitt”
Catherine O’Hara, “The Last of Us”
Parker Posey, “The White Lotus”
Guest Actor (Drama)
Andy Garcia, “Landman”
Scott Glenn, “The White Lotus”
Shawn Hatosy, “The Pitt”
Joe Pantoliano from “The Last of Us”
Jeffrey Wright starred in “The Last of Us.”
Guest Actress (Drama)
Gwendoline Christie, “Severance”
Fiona Shaw, “Bad Sisters”
Hilary Swank, “Yellowjackets”
Tracey Ullman, “Black Doves”
Merrit Wever, “Severance”
Comedy Series
“Abbott Elementary”
“The Bear”
“The Four Seasons”
“Hacks”
“Nobody Wants This”
Only Murders in the Building
“Shrinking”
“The Studio”
Lead Actor (Comedy)
Adam Brody, “Nobody Wants This”
Steve Martin, “Only Murders in the Building”
Seth Rogen, “The Studio”
Martin Short stars in “Only Murders in the Building.”
Jeremy Allen White, “The Bear”
Lead Actress (Comedy)
Kristen Bell, “Nobody Wants This”
Quinta Brunson, “Abbott Elementary”
Tina Fey, “The Four Seasons”
Natasha Lyonne, “Poker Face”
Jean Smart, “Hacks”
Supporting Actor (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 from “Saturday Night Live”
Supporting Actress (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 from ” Abbott Elementary”
Guest Actor (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 (Comedy)
Jamie Lee Curtis, “The Bear”
Cynthia Erivo, “Poker Face”
Ariana Grande appeared on “Saturday Night Live.”
Melissa McCarthy stars in “Only Murders in the Building.”
Julianne Nicholson, “Hacks”
Sarah Polley, “The Studio”
Limited or Anthology Series
“Adolescence”
“Black Mirror”
“Disclaimer”
Monsters: The Tale of Lyle and Erik Menendez
“The Penguin”
Television Movie
Bridget Jones: Enamored with the Boy
“The Gorge”
“Mountainhead”
“Out of My Mind”
“Rebel Ridge”
Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Television Film
Colin Farrell, “The Penguin”
Paul Giamatti, “Black Mirror”
Stephen Graham, “Adolescence”
Brian Tyree Henry, “Drug Theft”
Cooper Koch, “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story”
Leading Performer in a Limited Series or Television Film
Cate Blanchett, “Disclaimer”
Cristin Milioti, “The Penguin”
Ellen Pompeo, “The Good American Family”
Amanda Seyfried, “Long Bright River”
Michelle Williams, “Yearning for Intimacy”
Best Supporting Actor (Limited Series, Anthology Series, or Television Film)
Javier Bardem, “The Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story”
Owen Cooper, “Adolescence”
Jay Duplass, “Desperate for Intimacy”
Rhenzy Feliz, “The Penguin”
Diego Luna, “La Máquina”
Ashley Walters, “Adolescence”
Supporting Actress in a Limited Series, anthology series, or TV movie
Emma Corrin, “Black Mirror”
Erin Doherty, “Adolescence”
Lesley Manville, “Disclaimer”
Deirdre O’Connell, “The Penguin”
Jenny Slate, “Desiring Intimacy”
Christine Tremarco, “Adolescence”
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