Matlock: The Finale Scene That Shows Why Kathy Bates Is So Great | Set Stories

Skye P. Marshall breaks down how she brings Olympia Lawrence to life in CBS’s Matlock reboot, sharing what it takes to command a courtroom and hold your own opposite Kathy Bates. In this exclusive Collider interview, Marshall reveals how memorizing dense legal dialogue is only the starting point. She explains why the courtroom feels like a “black box theater,” where every background actor is watching and reacting, adding a unique pressure to every performance. She also opens up about finding Olympia’s voice, inspired in part by powerful TV lawyers like Olivia Pope and Annalise Keating, and how adding personality and humor can win over both the jury—and the audience. Marshall also reflects on her evolving confidence from season one to now, her deep creative trust with Kathy Bates, and the surprising moments of improvisation that made it into the finale—including a scene involving popcorn. Beyond the performances, she shares what it means to return to Paramount Studios, where she once worked as a caterer, and how that full-circle moment fuels her work today. This Matlock behind-the-scenes conversation offers a thoughtful look at acting, collaboration, and the craft behind courtroom drama. 0:00 Introduction – Skye P. Marshall on Matlock 1:05 Building Olympia Lawrence’s Voice 2:20 Courtroom Pressure & Performance Tricks 3:45 Finding Confidence in Season One 5:05 Chemistry with Kathy Bates 6:30 Filming at Paramount & Backlot Magic 8:10 Acting Choices, Takes & Post-Production Our Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/collider/ www.x.com/Collider Our Website https://www.collider.com Video By Michael Zimmermann & Trent B Minia For copyright matters, please contact us at: [email protected] #matlock #skyepmarshall #kathybates