Matlock found a surprising way to bring on Jason Ritter‘s real-life wife, Melanie Lynskey, in season 2 — but what key role does the actress play?
The hit CBS series built up to the reveal by having Matty (Kathy Bathes) and Olympia (Skye P. Marshall) discuss Senior’s (Beau Bridges) past multiple times at the beginning of the season.
The friends-turned-reluctant-allies ultimately decided to search for Senior’s ex Debra, who was with him in Australia 15 years ago when he appeared to ask Julian (Ritter) to bury the Wellbrexa document that could have helped get opioids off the streets sooner.
After going undercover in the Thursday, October 30, episode, Matty met Debra (Lynskey), who is a mortuary cosmetologist doing “open-casket work” for potential clients. Matty and Olympia try to convince Debra to testify against Senior about the study he ordered his son to bury.
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Debra initially spoke more openly about her time with Senior a.k.a “Mr. Magic Pants” but once she caught wind of Olympia’s involvement, the new character blocked Matty’s number. With season 2 just getting started, the expectation is that Lynskey, 48, will reprise her role in future episodes — and possibly share scenes with her husband.
Before joining the cast of Matlock, Ritter, 45, shared the screen with Lynskey, 48, on multiple occasions. The couple met while filming The Big Ask in 2013 and later collaborated on projects such as We’ll Never Have Paris and The Intervention. Ritter also scored cameo roles in Lynskey’s shows, including Candy, The Last of Us and Yellowjackets.
“We’ve worked together a few times and it’s always been really fun, but I mean, I’ll do anything with him. He’s so talented,” Lynskey exclusively told Us Weekly in April 2023. “I love his face. I love looking at his face.”
Ritter’s appearance on Yellowjackets has remained a mystery after it didn’t air during season 2. After the series was renewed for a third season, it was reported that Ritter would still appear on Yellowjackets in the future.
Lynskey, meanwhile, previously shared her love for Matlock, writing via X in October 2024, “Jason is amazing on it, and Kathy Bates continues to be the pinnacle of greatness and everything I hope to be as an actor. Skye P. Marshall is a superstar. I would watch this even if it wasn’t my marital obligation.”
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While speaking with Us earlier this year, Ritter called the chances “pretty good” that Lynskey would be cast in a guest role.
“I don’t want to say 100 percent, but I think so. The word has been put out and all of the higher-ups know,” he teased in April about how Lynskey is “so into” making an appearance on the hit CBS series. “I would be so excited,” he added. “Hopefully we get some scenes together — but that’s not up to me.”
Showrunner Jennie Snyder Urman had a similar response. “It is kind of early. We’ve definitely gotten some people that are fans of the show,” she told Us about potential season 2 guest stars. “I want Jason’s wife, Melanie, to come on after she said she was a fan. That would be the best.”
Matlock airs on CBS Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET.
