In 2025, fans of network television were given several reasons to be grateful about their favorite shows produced by the networks. For example, The Rookie featured great 2025 moments and sitcoms like Abbott Elementary proved how delightful TV can still be. While those shows proved why some network TV stars deserve to be proud, that doesn't mean that the teams behind shows like those were delighted by all of the ways that things turned out.
When the Golden Globe Award nominations were announced in December 2025, the actors who starred in shows produced by the streaming services completely dominated. In fact, none of the network TV comedy stars were nominated. Instead, the star of the CBS show Matlock, Kathy Bates, became the only network TV actor to be nominated for a Golden Globe Award.
Kathy Bates was nominated for a Best Actress in a Television Series – Drama Golden Globe Award
On September 22, 2024, the first episode of Matlock premiered with Kathy Bates portraying the show's titular main character, Madeline "Matty" Matlock. A reimagining of the beloved Andy Griffith show of the same name that aired in the 1980s and 1990s, Matlock became a huge hit for CBS. On top of being a commercial success, Matlock succeeded in a way that all other network shows failed in 2025.
On December 8, 2025, the nominations for the Golden Globes were announced. Of all the people nominated for TV acting awards, Kathy Bates was the only one who is the star of a network show. Bates was nominated for Best Actress in a Television Series – Drama alongside Britt Lower, Helen Mirren, Bella Ramsey, Keri Russell, and Rhea Seehorn. All the other nominated TV actors from across the categories starred in shows produced by Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Apple TV, HBO Max, Paramount+, Prime Video, or Peacock.
In addition to Bates being the only TV star to be included, her nomination is remarkable for another reason. It is the latest example of Bates being in the running for a major award, and it marks her 10th Golden Globe nomination after she won two. Bates has also won an Academy Award and been nominated for another three Oscars. The long list of accolades Bates has received includes BAFTA, Emmy, SAG, and Tony Award nominations and wins. Based on her long history of being in the running for major awards, there is no doubt that Bates has earned the respect of her peers.