Kathy Bates has made Emmy history in 2025, becoming the oldest nominee ever for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series at age 77, thanks to her acclaimed performance in the CBS drama Matlock.
Her nomination for the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards surpassed the previous record held by Angela Lansbury, who was 70 when she earned her last nomination for Murder, She Wrote in 1996.
Bates, a longtime television and film star, plays Madeline “Matty” Matlock in the reboot of the classic legal drama. The role has been widely praised for bringing depth and nuance to the character, contributing to both the show’s popularity and critical acclaim.
In a statement upon learning of her nomination, Bates said she was “deeply grateful to the Television Academy” for the honor, expressing thanks to the cast, crew, and creative team behind Matlock.
This milestone nomination adds to Bates’s lengthy list of awards recognition throughout her career, which includes multiple Emmy nominations and two wins, as well as an Academy Award for her performance in Misery.
Matlock itself has helped spotlight Bates’s enduring talent and signals that opportunities for powerful roles for veteran actresses can still resonate with audiences—even in a television landscape crowded with streaming dramas.
The 77th Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony is set to take place on September 14, 2025, where Bates will be among the contenders for television’s top honors in drama performance.
