Kathy Bates is ending her acting career … saying she’s got one more TV show left in the tank — though she nearly didn’t make it at all.The actress opened up about the end of her career during an interview with the New York Times … admitting her new role on “Matlock” — where she plays an older, gender-flipped version of the same character from the ’80s drama — is her last part.

GettyThe way Bates tells it … she was considering moving on from acting — telling her agent she was offically done after a poor experience on a movie set. She wouldn’t say which one.Then, she says the script for “Matlock” came in … and, she instantly fell in love with the character right wrongs — since she faced so many earlier in her life and career.That said, KB’s clear … this is the last dance — with no designs to jump on another great drama, even if an excellent script crosses her desk.

Bates say it’s exhausting playing the character … the 18-episode order certainly taking a toll on the star as well.

AlamyBates has had a prolific career, appearing in some of the biggest movies of all time like “Titanic,” “The Blind Side” and recently appearing in “The Family Affair” alongside Zac Efron and Nicole Kidman … with her Oscar winning role in Stephen King‘s “Misery” proving a high watermark in her career.

She’s got a little left in the tank it seems … but, enjoy her performances while they last!