David Del Rio Removed from ‘Matlock’ Following Alleged Sexual Misconduct

Just when you thought Hollywood couldn’t serve up another unfortunate workplace scandal, along comes David Del Rio to remind us that some people just can’t behave themselves. The “Matlock” actor has been unceremoniously fired from the CBS legal drama after allegations of sexual assault against co-star Leah Lewis surfaced – and we can see that CBS Studios thankfully didn’t mess around with their response.

The Shocking Incident That Occurred at the end of September

According to reports, the alleged assault took place on September 26, 2025, in Lewis’ trailer on the Paramount lot. Because apparently, some people think trailers are appropriate venues for inappropriate behavior. The incident was reported on October 2, and by the end of that very same day, Del Rio was getting the old heave-ho off the lot, escorted by none other than “Matlock” executive producer Eric Christian Olsen himself.

Talk about a swift kick to the curb. CBS Studios conducted an internal investigation faster than you can say “objection sustained,” and clearly, they didn’t like what they found. In an industry where scandals can drag on for months or even years, this lightning-fast response feels almost like a relief – if the circumstances weren’t so depressing.

David Del Rio’s Character Gets Written Off

Del Rio played Billy Martinez, a first-year associate at the Jacobson Moore law firm where Kathy Bates’ character Madeline “Matty” Matlock works. The character was part of the core legal team, working alongside Lewis’ character Sarah Franklin under Olympia Lawrence (Skye P. Marshall). The two characters shared most of their scenes together, which now makes rewatching those episodes feel incredibly uncomfortable.

The “Matlock” writers now face the complex task of figuring out how to write Billy Martinez out of the show mid-season. The series is currently on a pre-planned hiatus after wrapping the first half of Season 2, with production set to resume after Thanksgiving. That gives the creative team some time to rework scripts, but honestly? Good luck explaining away a main character’s sudden disappearance without it feeling jarring.

Leah Lewis Breaks Her Silence With Strength

In the aftermath of this whole mess, Lewis took to her Instagram stories to share a photo with her mother, accompanied by a message that was equal parts heartbreaking and inspiring:

We’re moving forward in love and strength. I’m in good hands. Thank you to everybody for any kind of support and care. Truly, we’re moving forward in strength. Key word, strength. Let that be the takeaway.

The fact that she had to make any public statement at all is infuriating. Nobody should have to reassure the public about their strength after allegedly being assaulted by a colleague. But Lewis handled it with more grace than this situation deserved, emphasizing resilience while clearly having her family’s support.

The Irony from a Season 1 Show

Here’s the kicker that makes this entire situation even more twisted: “Matlock” actually tackled the topic of sexual assault in Episode 3 of its first season. In that episode, Bates’ character Matlock, takes on the case of a young lawyer claiming she was sexually assaulted by her boss. The show literally addressed workplace sexual assault as a plot point, and now here we are dealing with it in real life behind the scenes.

You can’t make this stuff up, folks. The irony is so thick you could smash it with a judge’s mallet.

What This Means for Matlock Season 2

Season 2 of “Matlock” premieres October 12 with two episodes in one week, and Del Rio will still appear in the first half of the season since filming was already complete. But don’t expect to see Billy Martinez sticking around for long. The character will be written out for future episodes, leaving fans to wonder how they’ll handle his departure.

Thankfully, CBS responded quickly without giving us the “we’re looking into it” story. CBS effectively removed the alleged perpetrator from the workplace in just days. The network’s rapid response shows that progress has been made in the industry. Incidents like this unfortunately serve to remind us workplace harassment and assault is still very much a problem.

The show has been a surprise hit for CBS, with Kathy Bates delivering amazing performances that have critics and audiences raving. This scandal threatens to overshadow what should be a triumphant sophomore season for a series that successfully reimagined a classic character for modern audiences.