Yael Grobglas Joins CBS’ ‘Matlock’, Setting Up ‘Jane The Virgin’ Reunion

EXCLUSIVE: Jane the Virgin alumna Yael Grobglas is reuniting with the showrunner and studio behind the popular CW dramedy series. Grobglas is set to recur on the upcoming CBS drama series Matlock, headlined by Kathy Bates, which comes from Jane the Virgin developer Jennie Snyder Urman and CBS Studios.

In Matlock, written by Urman and inspired by the classic TV series starring Andy Griffith, after achieving success in her younger years, the brilliant septuagenarian Madeline Matlock (Bates) rejoins the work force at a prestigious law firm where she uses her unassuming demeanor and wily tactics to win cases. Matty is assigned to Olympia (Skye P. Marshall), a senior attorney and key rainmaker with a thirst for justice. Olympia’s ex-husband, Julian (Jason Ritter), the son of the head of the firm (Beau Bridges), is intrigued by Matty and her clever skills.

Grobglas will play Shae Banfield, aka “the Meerkat,” the law firm’s devastatingly insightful jury consultant. Known as a human lie detector, she’s able to suss out character and sniff out the truth using her mastery of body language, facial expressions, and neurolinguistics, making her a worthy adversary to brilliant attorney Olympia Lawrence (Marshall) and an imminent threat to Madeleine Matlock (Bates).

The series also stars David Del Rio and Leah Lewis. Urman executive produces with Joanna Klein, Eric Christian Olsen, John Will and Bates.

Grobglas played the series regular role of Petra on the critically acclaimed Jane the Virgin for its five-season run and also recurred as Petra’s twin sister Anezka. She also recurred as the villain PSI on Supergirl and currently voices the recurring role of Margot on Max’s animated series Gremlins. She is repped by Thruline and Lichter, Grossman, Nichols.