Followers of “Matlock” really feel that the present won’t be dealing with David Del Rio’s exit in one of the simplest ways doable. The actor, who performed Billy Martinez on the authorized drama, was accused of allegedly sexually assaulting his costar, Leah Lewis, who performed Billy’s colleague, Sarah.
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David Del Rio Eliminated From ‘Matlock’ Following Sexual Assault Allegations
In October 2025, Deadline reported that “Matlock” actor David Del Rio was fired on account of sexual assault allegations. CBS, the studio behind the authorized drama starring Kathy Bates, escorted the actor off the Paramount lot the identical day the alleged assault was reported, in accordance with sources.
Hours after the information of his departure went public, Lewis posted a photograph of her and her mom on her Instagram Tales, writing, “Mother is right here. We’re transferring ahead in love and energy. I’m in good palms. Thanks to all people for any sort of assist and care. Really, we’re transferring ahead in energy. Key phrase, energy. Let that be the takeaway.”
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Billy Was Final Seen In The Season 2 Episode ‘Prior Unhealthy Acts’
The actor’s final look got here within the December 4 episode, titled “Prior Unhealthy Acts.” The next episode was the season 2 midseason finale, referred to as “Name It A Christmas Reward.” In a single scene, it’s conveyed that Billy is taking a “private day” and doesn’t really seem within the episode.
Nonetheless, Sarah talks to him on the cellphone and learns that his girlfriend, Claude, performed by Bella Ortiz, had had a miscarriage. The interplay advised that Billy would take a while away from his job on the Jacobson Moore legislation agency in an effort to deal with the loss.
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‘Matlock’ Jokes About David Del Rio’s Exit
On the season 2 midseason premiere, titled “Collateral,” Sarah and Matty Matlock meet with Gwen Easton (Sarah Wright-Olsen), a HR consultant from Lamar and Olson, a legislation agency that’s merging with Jacobson Moore.
Regardless that many thought that Billy was written out of the present with the miscarriage storyline, his title popped up once more when Gwen asks, “The place is Billy Martinez?”
Sarah is fast to inform her that he’s “out sick” and that he’s “very, very sick” and “vomiting.”
Gwen then jokes about his exit, saying, “Yay! So no want for him to return! Job eradicated!”
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The awkward interplay didn’t finish there, as Gwen later asks Sarah about how she, Matty, and Billy all assist their boss, Olympia (Skye P. Marshall). Gwen asks, “Might she make do with two individuals if one in every of you takes the beneficiant severance package deal being provided?”
Though Sarah tells her “that’s not going to occur,” as they’re “all very dedicated to Jacobson Moore and to Olympia,” it appears that evidently the present is perhaps setting the stage for Billy to simply accept a “severance package deal” to write down him out of the present.
Regardless, the “job eradicated” joke didn’t sit properly with some on-line, with many questioning whether or not it was “crucial.”
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‘Matlock’ Followers Query How ‘Mandatory’ The Joke Was
Over on Entertainment Weekly, followers engaged in a dialogue concerning the actor’s firing and questioned how “crucial” it was to maintain mentioning Billy’s position within the present after they might have merely written him out throughout the midseason finale.
“I don’t suppose these scenes had been crucial,” one fan wrote. The remark acquired a number of thumbs-up in settlement.
“Why hearth him earlier than the investigation was accomplished? One thing shouldn’t be including up right here,” one other consumer requested. One fan replied, “The producers work with these individuals, in order that they know them higher than us and clearly believed her over him.”
Felony Costs Had been By no means Filed Towards David Del Rio
Though he was fired from the present, it seems that Lewis didn’t press legal expenses in opposition to Del Rio over the alleged sexual assault.
“There hasn’t even been a trial. The web and networks appear to make selections that individuals are robotically responsible. On this nation, there’s a coverage of due course of. I believe she wished a much bigger half and needed to get him off the present to get it. By no means favored her. Carry him again,” one consumer wrote.
Nonetheless, not everybody did. One other fan replied, “It was a studio – led investigation, not a legal one, but. Firms can conduct their enterprise as they see match. If he desires to struggle it, then struggle. I consider Leah.”
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“The studio investigation was accomplished. That’s all it takes for somebody to lose their job,” a 3rd chimed in. “Felony investigation and legal expenses are a distinct matter.”
