Kathy Bates was completely caught off guard when she was announced as the winner of Best Actress in a Drama Series at the 2025 Critics Choice Awards, held on Friday, February 7.
The legendary actress took home the award for her role in Matlock, but when her name was called, she was visibly stunned—her eyes widened in disbelief, and before she could even stand up, she let out a couple of unfiltered reactions. “F**k,” she blurted out—twice—before finally making her way to the stage.
Once she got to the mic, Bates admitted she hadn’t expected this win at all. “I really didn’t think this was going to happen,” she confessed, still processing the moment. Then, in true Kathy Bates fashion, she turned the spotlight onto the people who made the show possible.
She spoke warmly about the crew behind Matlock, praising the immense talent and dedication on set. “Every day, we come to work, and there’s just so much love. The people running the cameras, moving the dollies, setting up costumes and props—they have hundreds of years of experience combined, and they are truly the best of the best,” she said. “Walking onto that set every day feels like a miracle, and I am so grateful to all of them.”
But Bates didn’t stop there—she used her moment on stage to honor some real-life heroes in the audience: the brave firefighters who battled the devastating Los Angeles wildfires that started on January 7. With emotion in her voice, she shared how deeply personal the fires were for the Matlock team.
“Our producer, Eric Christian Olsen, lost his home in the Palisades,” she revealed. “Watching the footage of you all standing in a line, facing down a wall of flames, was absolutely terrifying. I don’t know how you did it, but from the bottom of my heart—thank you. Thank you for everything you’ve done for so many of us in Los Angeles.”
To make the moment even more touching, Bates announced that her trophy would serve as the first piece of décor in Olsen’s new home—whenever he finds one.
Bates stars as the lead in CBS’s Matlock, a fresh take on the classic legal drama that originally ran from 1986 to 1995, starring Andy Griffith. This win marks her second Critics Choice Award—she previously won in 1999 for Primary Colors—and her third nomination overall.
She was up against some tough competition in the Best Actress category, including Caitríona Balfe (Outlander), Shanola Hampton (Found), Keira Knightley (Black Doves), Keri Russell (The Diplomat), and Anna Sawai (Shōgun).
The ceremony was hosted by comedian Chelsea Handler, who kept the night lively with her signature humor. But for Bates, the evening was unforgettable—not just because of her win, but because she got to celebrate the people who make both Hollywood and Los Angeles what they are.