Kathy Bates has been and done just about all there is to be and do in the acting industry, carving out a reputation for herself as a beloved figure over the course of her long and storied career.

Given her talent and reputation, it’s hardly a surprise that fans kick into overdrive whenever she jumps on a new project. And yet it’s her dramatic weight loss that appears to be stealing the show as she takes on her latest role.

As per reports, the iconic Misery actress is preparing for CBS’s much-anticipated series Matlock, and it’s safe to say there are plenty of people excited to see what sort of performance she’ll give.

As such, fans were delighted when they recently got a sneak-peek into how the 76-year-old will look, after the actress joined her co-stars in giving a playful teaser for the show on Instagram.

Bates donned a smart navy blue suit for the occasion, revealing at the end of the aforementioned clip that Matlock will premiere on September 22, 2024.

And while many people took to social media to express their excitement ahead of the show’s release, Bates’ appearance also got people talking in a big way.

Now, before we go any further, we’ll express our own humble opinion that everybody has a right to feel comfortable in their own body. It’s not for us – nor anyone else – to judge an individual based on their looks or body type, especially not when said individual could be transforming to better fit a role in a film or TV show.

In any case, there was quite a lot written about Kathy Bates’ perceived weight loss as she gears up for her role in Matlock.

“Love Kathy to death but honey you can’t lose that much weight after a certain age. Your skin just hangs there,” one person wrote.

“Wow. I didn’t recognize her,” wrote another.

A third said: “OMG, what happened to her? I love her but is this even her? She was fine before????”

A fourth expressed concern by writing: “I almost didn’t recognize her… her face looks so thin. I love Kathy always have!”

“Who is this woman?” asked a fifth.

Of course, it should go without saying that we all age differently, and losing weight as we advance in years is rather common. Even so, a good deal of comments on the Instagram video posted to promote Matlock focused on Bates’ appearance.

In the upcoming series, Bates will star as attorney Madeline “Matty” Matlock, and has promised enough twists and turns to keep viewers locked in until the final episode of the series.

“Matlock has an agenda that not everyone knows about. I love playing all those different notes,” the actress explained.

Are you a fan of Kathy Bates? What do you think about her appearance? Let us know in the comments box.