Is Jason Ritter Leaving ‘Matlock’ Ahead of Season 2? Star Addresses Rumors
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Rumors of Jason Ritter‘s Matlock departure have been greatly exaggerated. Ritter growing a mustache and being cast in the upcoming DC Lanterns series has spurred theories that he won’t be in Matlock Season 2 (the freshman CBS drama scored the first renewal of the fall 2024 season in October). The actor addressed fan speculation with TV Insider at PaleyFest 2025 in Hollywood this week, confirming that he will be back for Matlock‘s second season.
Lanterns is a DC Comics series connected to Green Lantern coming to HBO in 2026. In the time since Ritter’s casting on March 14, theories have popped up arguing that Ritter’s casting, plus the mustache he’s growing for the role, are signs that he’s changing his look because Lanterns will soon be his primary gig.
The theory is that Ritter’s Matlock character, Julian Markston Jr., is the culprit Kathy Bates‘ Matty is looking for in her Wellbrexa investigation. These viewers believe Julian will be found guilty of hiding the document that led to opioids being kept on the market and that this reveal will somehow lead to Ritter’s exit from the series.
Ritter confirmed to TV Insider that he will be in Matlock Season 2, addressing mustache-gate.
“[My mustache is] for another show that I’m working on called Lanterns,” Ritter said, chuckling. “Mustaches can be shaved off. As soon as I’m done [with Lanterns], I’m back to Matlock.”
And there you have it! It doesn’t negate the theory that Julian could be the one who hid the document, but it does cancel out the possibility that the actor will exit the series after Season 1.
Showrunner Jennie Snyder Urman told TV Insider at the same PaleyFest event that the Season 1 finale will reveal who hid the document.
“You get the answer to that central question, and then, we push forward into the next season,” she said.
Get ready for more twists and turns in the bumpy but thrilling final episodes of Matlock Season 1.
Matlock, Returns Thursday, April 3, 9/8c, CBS
— Reporting by Michael Maloney
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O
I think and hope it's Shay. I think she's villainous enough to have done it and I wouldn't miss her😁
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I am just hoping they wrap up this wellbrexa storyline soon. I may jump ship if I have to watch it drag out for another season. She should solve it and then decide to stay on with the firm because she found out how she loves lawyering again.
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P
It’s not one of the big 3. It’s a male associate that we’ve seen. A friend of Olympia’s. He sat in a trial with her.
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O
Are you talking about Elijah?
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love Matlock and we will c who it is.....
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G
I've been asking this question for weeks now, every time this site has an article about him being on the new show. He's only a 'recurring' actor on Matlock, so no surprise he wants to be a regular on the new show.
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G
Actors often have more than one gig. Trying look for "clues" in the credits (like it's the cover of the Sgt. Pepper album) doesn't prove anything. And "recurring characters" have a way of becoming series regulars.
Ritter said himself he's coming back. Unless you're going to accuse him, without proof, of lying.
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