Jason Ritter Unveils His Wildest Crossover Dreams for Melanie Lynskey's 'Matlock' Reboot

When it comes to the highly anticipated 'Matlock' reboot, starring the immensely talented Melanie Lynskey, it seems her husband, Jason Ritter, has some incredibly entertaining ideas for potential cross-over episodes. Far from a mere spectator, Ritter has clearly put some playful thought into which CBS titans could meld with the legal drama, sharing his imaginative visions at a recent 'Yellowjackets' panel, where he couldn't help but gush about his wife's exciting new role.

Lynskey is set to star as the titular character, Madeline 'Matty' Matlock, a sharp-witted attorney who, in her seventies, makes a return to the legal world.

But before the series even hits screens, Ritter is already envisioning a universe where Matty's legal prowess extends beyond her own courtroom. "I'm really excited about it," Ritter exclaimed, beaming with pride for Lynskey. He then launched into his delightful cross-over pitches, showcasing a blend of genuine excitement and witty humor.

His first target for a Matlock mash-up? The long-running procedural powerhouse, 'NCIS'.

Ritter joked about Matty assisting the federal agents, imagining a scenario where her unique legal perspective could crack a seemingly impenetrable case within the NCIS world. The thought of the venerable Matlock navigating the high-stakes, often explosive, universe of naval crime investigation is certainly an intriguing one, promising both drama and unexpected comedic gold.

Next on his list was 'Fire Country', the action-packed drama centered around a group of inmates fighting wildfires.

Ritter's vision for this crossover was particularly vivid: "Maybe there’s a mysterious arson in ‘Fire Country’ and Matlock has to come down and solve that, a little bit more of a legal twist to it." This concept could offer a fresh narrative angle for both shows, blending Matlock's investigative skills with the intense backdrop of natural disasters.

Perhaps his most whimsical idea, however, was for a crossover with the beloved comedy 'Ghosts'.

Imagining Matty interacting with the spectral residents of Woodstone Mansion, Ritter mused, "Or I would love to see her on ‘Ghosts’ where the ghosts are witnesses." The image of a seasoned lawyer taking depositions from a diverse cast of spirits – from a Gilded Age socialite to a groovy 1960s hippy – is undeniably hilarious and offers limitless comedic potential.

One can only imagine the kind of "testimony" Matty would glean from such an eclectic group.

Ritter even threw in a humorous, albeit less plausible, suggestion for 'Young Sheldon'. While acknowledging its pre-teen focus might not be a direct fit, the sheer absurdity of Matlock intersecting with the Cooper family's intellectual antics adds another layer to Ritter's playful imagination.

His enthusiasm for Lynskey’s role is palpable, and it’s clear he’s just as excited as fans are to see her bring this iconic character to life.

Melanie Lynskey herself has expressed her immense excitement for Matlock, embracing the challenge of portraying such a dynamic and intelligent character.

With her husband's creative mind already churning out crossover concepts, it’s evident that the Matlock universe, even before its debut, is ripe with possibility and primed for engaging storytelling. Fans can look forward to seeing Lynskey's take on the legal legend, and perhaps, one day, even see some of Ritter’s wild crossover dreams come to fruition!