Matlock spoilers ahead!
Aaron Harris is 13 years old and has already landed a role in one of this year’s best new shows – Madeline “Matty” Matlock’s grandson Alfie in Matlock. The legal drama, inspired by the classic TV show of the same name, premiered its “Pilot” in September 2024. As Matty reenters the workforce at the prestigious Jacbson Moore, Matlock follows the brilliant septuagenarian as she fights for justice.
By October, after airing only two episodes, CBS renewed the freshman drama for a second season. By December, CBS commends the series for reaching 16.9 million viewers per episode. Harris, whose spark for storytelling was ignited at just five years old by Finding Nemo, has appeared in seven of the eight episodes of Matlock’s first season that have aired so far.
MORE: Have you read our Matlock Season 1, Episode 8, “No, No Monsters,” review? Here it is!
Matlock’s Success and the Audition Process
“I don’t know if I expected the reception to be as big as it is, but I knew the writing and the cast were really good, so I guess it’s not too much of a surprise,” Harris said about Matlock’s success and overall positive reception. “I think Matlock resonates with a lot of people because the issues that we deal with in the show sadly also happen in real life,” Harris added. Since its debut, Matlock has discussed prevalent issues like sexual harassment, the legal system’s bias, and the stigma around those who live with substance abuse disorder.
But how did Harris come to audition for Matlock? Harris said, “I did a lot of auditioning over Zoom from Atlanta at first, but eventually the production flew me out to Los Angeles [to] do a chemistry read with Kathy.” Skye P. Marshall, who stars in the legal drama as Olympia Lawrence, recently told TV Line about the “intentional” audition process that prioritized chemistry among the costars.
“It’s a very important relationship in the series, so reading in person with Kathy definitely helped them find what they were looking for. I felt great about it at the time, but you never know – and they don’t really give you any feedback when it’s happening,” Harris added. “I’m just so happy we clicked!”
MORE: Don’t miss our review of Matlock Season 1, Episode 7, “Belly of the Beast.” Here it is!
Working with Kathy Bates
Harris’s Alfie helps his grandmother and grandfather (Sam Anderson’s Edwin) in their quest for justice for their daughter and Alfie’s mother, Ellie. Ellie died from a drug overdose after Jacobson Moore suppressed documents from the pharmaceutical company Wellbrexa that proved that opioids were addictive. Usually, Alfie steps in when Matty needs help with technology, like hacking into the law firm’s documents room or deleting a fake dating profile. So, most of Harris’s scenes in Matlock are opposite the legendary Kathy Bates.
“Working with Kathy is so amazing because she’s not just a great actress, she is such an honest, caring human being. I’ve learned so much from her, but maybe the most important thing is how to treat everyone on set – no matter what their job is – with respect,” Harris told Fangirlish.
One of Harris and Bates’s most moving scenes is in Matlock Season 1, Episode 5, “Claws.” Matty and her grandson have an honest conversation about Ellie’s experiences in the throes of her illness and how much she loved her son. Has Harris imagined what a flashback could be like between Ellie and Alife? “I hadn’t thought about that, but I would love the idea of doing a scene with Alfie and Ellie, or maybe even a scene where Alfie learns of his mother’s death, as it could show a more emotional side to Alfie different than his current charming, happy self,” Harris shared.
MORE: Revisit Matlock Season 1, Episode 6, “Sixteen Steps,” with our review. Here it is!
What’s Next for Alfie
“Claws” also marks a change in Alfie’s part in Matty’s personal investigation. She and Edwin agreed it was best to limit involvement after everything intensifies in “The Rabbit and the Hawk.” Alfie steps in to help Matty with a few tech-related developments, like an AI voice in “Belly of the Beast.” However, Matlock’s fall finale showed a different, less case-related role for Alfie – he wanted his grandma to be present at his mock trial. Matty couldn’t make it because of Wellbrexa advancements, but the episode ended with Olympia volunteering to adjust Matty’s schedule so she doesn’t miss anything important to Alfie again.
So, there’s a great chance that when Matlock returns on Thursday, January 30, Aflie will be more present. “I don’t think Alfie is going anywhere, but if he’s kept out of things, he’s certainly going to suspect something is up and challenge his grandparents to let him do more investigating,” Harris said.
The rising actor teases where that could take Alfie in the rest of the season. “I definitely think that it would be cool to get Alfie into the office, maybe actually helping his Grammy steal documents or something like that.”
MORE: Have you read our review of Matlock Season 1, Episode 4, “The Rabbit and the Hawk?” Here it is!
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Matlock returns with new episodes on Thursday, January 30, at 9/8c on CBS.
