Skye P. Marshall’s journey to Hollywood is not a conventional rise to fame but rather a testament to resilience, ambition, and a fierce will to reclaim control over her life. Her story began at just 12 years old, when her parents’ separation triggered what she calls her “Riches to Rags” moment. The abrupt shift from stability to financial uncertainty fueled a relentless determination in young Skye. “I was determined to build my way back to that lifestyle,” she recalls, emphasizing how her love for her mother became her guiding force. This bond not only shaped her drive but also laid the foundation for the self-love her mother had instilled in her, helping her stay true to herself throughout life’s challenges.

However, Marshall’s path to the entertainment industry was far from a straight line. She didn’t take the typical route through acting schools or early fame. Instead, she was trained by the “school of hard knocks,” as she puts it—life’s adversities. Overcoming heartbreak, personal setbacks, and transitions out of her control, Marshall learned that “pressure is a privilege.” A stint in the U.S. Air Force further shaped her by teaching her how to process fear and embrace challenges head-on, preparing her for the uncertainties of the entertainment industry.

After leaving the military, Marshall pursued a communications degree with a minor in theater. Her love for performance had been cultivated early in childhood, starting with dance competitions across inner-city Chicago. Despite thriving in the arts, her life took a detour into the corporate world, where she landed a job at a marketing firm in New York City. Yet the sterile, structured life of corporate America felt like suffocation. Weekends were spent partying with celebrities like Lil’ Kim, only for Marshall to return on Monday to a beige office where her creativity and spirit were stifled.

Feeling the disconnect between her inner child and her adult responsibilities, Marshall made a bold decision. “This is not what you promised me,” she told herself. On the verge of her 28th birthday, she left behind her stable job, packed her car, and drove to Los Angeles with nothing but a headshot, ambition, and a dream. “I didn’t have any friends, no agent, no resume—just a will and drive.” The transition wasn’t easy—she spent over seven years as a background actor and even worked as a cater-waiter at Paramount Studios, where she would eventually film Matlock. But these struggles were not setbacks in her eyes; they were steps in her journey. “I either win, or I learn,” she says, embodying the mindset that has carried her through life.

Landing Olympia & Reflecting on the Audition of a Lifetime

Today, she stars as Olympia in the reboot of Matlock, a testament to the belief that setbacks are often setups for a greater comeback. As our conversation shifted focus on Olympia and Matlock, Skye didn’t just talk about the moment she landed the role of Olympia in Matlock—she brought me into the room with her, sharing every detail like a scene unfolding in real time. “It’s not like the old days anymore,” she began. “Now, auditions start with thousands of actors submitting tapes from home.” The post-COVID shift to virtual auditions widened the playing field—and intensified the competition. With stars, trained British actresses mastering flawless American accents, and New York natives all gunning for the part, Marshall knew the odds were stacked against her. “They were probably expecting a big name for Olympia. I’m not a household name,” she admitted. Yet, step by step, she made it through every round, climbing from Zoom calls in her Brooklyn apartment to a chemistry read in Los Angeles—with the legendary Kathy Bates herself.

Marshall recalled how the tension of that final audition was thick even before she entered the room. “I get to the casting office and see this designer bag left on the couch, and I think, Okay, that’s a star in there.” The competitive energy hit her in waves as familiar actors arrived, including one who had already auditioned earlier but was called back for a second chance. Still, Marshall stayed grounded, reminding herself that she wasn’t just the underdog—she had grit. “This H&M suit might not look like much, but trust me, I’m packing a punch,” she joked, radiating confidence.

The pivotal moment came when she stood face-to-face with Kathy Bates. “There’s this unspoken rule in auditions—you don’t touch anyone, especially not celebrities. But something inside me just said, ‘You have to.’” With a mix of courage and spontaneity, Marshall locked eyes with Bates and asked, “Can I hug you?” To her astonishment, Bates responded with open arms, walking toward her. “Oh my God, this is happening,” Marshall thought, as she embraced Bates and instantly felt the connection that would define their on-screen chemistry. “I knew if she could feel my energy—if she felt me being unapologetically me—that was it.”

In that moment, Marshall let go of any pretense. She dropped the need to sound overly polished, embracing the authenticity she wanted to bring to Olympia. “This wasn’t just about casting a black woman to play a lawyer. It had to be about writing for a black woman who happens to be a lawyer,” Marshall reflected. The show’s creator, Jennie Snyder-Uhrman, known for her nuanced characters in Jane the Virgin, had built an environment where authenticity mattered more than ticking diversity boxes. “I brought my Chicago roots, my struggle, and my voice—exactly who Olympia needed to be.”

That willingness to show up as her whole self, without code-switching for the sake of acceptance, proved to be the winning move. Marshall’s audition wasn’t just about saying lines—it was about survival, about embodying someone who could carry the weight of being both real and resilient. “Kathy didn’t need to see a performance,” Marshall concluded. “She needed to see me—and I let her.” And with that, Marshall stepped fully into her role as Olympia, marking the beginning of a new chapter in her career.

Embracing Olympian & Bringing Her Character to Life

Talking to Skye P. Marshall about Matlock felt like peeling back the layers of both the series and the character she portrays—Olympia Lawrence, a powerful attorney with a passion for justice and cultural authenticity. For Marshall, calling Matlock a “reboot” feels like a misnomer. “What Jennie Snyder-Uhrman did isn’t just a reboot—it’s a modern reimagining,” she explains, her excitement unmistakable. The show takes the DNA of the original series and infuses it with something entirely new. “It’s not your week-to-week legal procedural. It’s a character drama inside a procedural, with an overarching mystery that only the audience is in on.” In this fresh take, Matlock—now played by the incomparable Kathy Bates—works under Olympia, a fearless New York attorney who advocates for overlooked clients who can’t afford legal help beyond a public defender.

From the beginning, Marshall knew Olympia was special. “When I found the script, I wasn’t even pitched for the role—I had to find it myself,” she recalls. “Reading it, I knew immediately: this was the role I’d been manifesting.” Olympia is no cookie-cutter lawyer; she’s stylish, sharp, and deeply connected to her cultural roots. “I asked the showrunners, ‘Make sure you insert the culture into this character.’” Every detail mattered to Marshall, right down to Olympia’s Telfar bags, carefully chosen to reflect her connection to Black culture. “In last night’s episode, when I knocked on Matlock’s door, fans were already sending me screenshots of the Telfar bag!” Marshall laughs. “There are twelve more waiting to match my suits.”

Marshall describes Olympia as a complex, authentic character with depth. “She’s not just a lawyer in a suit; she’s for the people because she was raised by the culture.” Olympia is a character Marshall knows intimately—her intelligence, fast-talking wit, and ability to code-switch with purpose mirror her own lived experiences. But stepping into Olympia’s shoes wasn’t just about playing a version of herself. “I did my research. I studied courtroom showmanship, read books on trial dynamics, and made sure I could embody the presence of a high-powered attorney.”

And then there’s the magic of working with Kathy Bates. “Acting with Kathy is the easiest acting I’ve ever done,” Marshall says with admiration. “She makes the set feel like playtime. You show up prepared, and then it’s just about listening and being in the moment with her.” Their on-screen chemistry is as genuine off-screen as it is in the courtroom. Marshall recounts standing in Times Square with Bates, gazing at a towering Matlock billboard. “We just cried, looking into each other’s eyes, saying ‘I love you’ over and over. A year and a half ago, I just wanted a hug from her. Now, here we are.”

Olympia Lawrence is more than just a role for Marshall—it’s a celebration of everything she values. “She’s intelligent, stylish, and grounded in her roots. And that’s what makes her so real. It’s not just about being a lawyer—it’s about being authentic.” Marshall has found a perfect fusion between herself and Olympia, proving that when culture, character, and conviction align, the result is nothing short of magic. “There’s no other Skye,” she says, beaming. “So why not just show up and be me?”

A Dream Fulfilled

For Skye P. Marshall, every step of her journey—from growing up in Chicago, serving in the military, working corporate jobs, and finally finding her place in Hollywood—was driven by one dream: buying her mother a house. “And so all the different stages, my goal was to buy my mother a house. That was the goal,” she reflects. For Marshall, landing the role of Olympia in Matlock became more than just a career breakthrough—it was the key to fulfilling that lifelong mission.

“This past month, I finally bought my mom a house,” Marshall proudly shares. “That’s what Matlock was able to do for me: accomplish my lifelong mission of getting my mom set back up in the lifestyle she originated from.” It’s a full-circle moment for Marshall, whose story began with financial hardship after her parents’ separation, and now ends with her mother returning to stability and comfort. Her journey isn’t just a tale of professional success but one of personal triumph, fueled by resilience, love, and an unrelenting commitment to family.