Melanie Lynskey Returning to ‘Matlock’ — See Her With Husband Jason Ritter

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Melanie Lynskey is returning to Matlock before Season 2 ends, and she’ll share a scene with her husband, Jason Ritter! CBS just revealed the first photos of her in the episode, showing her alongside Ritter and Beau Bridges, and revealed when it will air.

Matlock Season 2 will have a two-part finale on Thursday, April 23, on CBS (see the 2026 broadcast finale schedule here). It starts at 9/8c, which means there will be no new episode of Elsbeth that night. Lynskey returns in the penultimate episode of the season, airing on Thursday, April 16. See her as Debra in the photos above and below.

Lynskey made her debut as Debra Palmer, a former lover of Senior’s (Bridges), in Matlock Season 2 Episode 4, which aired on Thursday, October 30, 2025.

Melanie Lynskey, Kathy Bates, and Skye P. Marshall in 'Matlock' Season 2 Episode 14, 'Day One'

CBS

In “Piece of My Heart,” Olympia (Skye P. Marshall) and the team took on a wrongful death case, and Matty (Kathy Bates) reflected on her relationship with her daughter, Ellie (Marnee Carpenter), who returned in flashbacks to when she was pregnant with Alfie (Aaron D. Harris).

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Matty also met with Lynskey’s Debra, a mysterious woman from Senior’s past. She was on the trip to Australia during which Senior gave Julian (Ritter) the order to bury the Welbrexa study. Matty and Olympia were hoping to convince Debra, a makeup artist, to testify against Senior.

Here’s the logline for Matlock Season 2 Episode 14, “Day One”: “As the team continues tracing Senior’s money trail, they arrange a delicate meeting with a key accomplice, one that could expose them all. Also, the team takes on a criminal justice student’s personal case involving a hit and run.”

Could Debra be the accomplice? She’s at the Jacobson Moore office in the photos. In one of the images, Matty and Olympia are shocked to see Debra. In another, Lynskey is with Ritter (her real-life husband) and Bridges (her onscreen ex-boyfriend) in an office at the firm.

Jason Ritter, Melanie Lynskey, and Beau Bridges in 'Matlock' Season 2 Episode 14

Michael Yarish / CBS

Ritter previously told Decider that Lynskey’s appearance on Matlock was “inevitable.”

Lynskey confirmed this and said it was just a matter of story and scheduling, and she wanted a scene with Bates.

When asked if she wanted to share scenes with her husband, Lynskey joked, “Sure, him too.”

Matlock, Thursdays, 9/8c, CBS

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