Fans of “Matlock” feel that the show won’t be handling David Del Rio’s exit in the easiest way possible. The actor, who played Billy Martinez on the legal drama, was accused of allegedly sexually assaulting his costar, Leah Lewis, who played Billy’s colleague, Sarah.
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David Del Rio Removed From ‘Matlock’ Following Sexual Assault Allegations
In October 2025, Deadline reported that “Matlock” actor David Del Rio was fired as a consequence of sexual assault allegations. CBS, the studio behind the legal drama starring Kathy Bates, escorted the actor off the Paramount lot the identical day the alleged assault was reported, in keeping with sources.
Hours after the news of his departure went public, Lewis posted a photograph of her and her mother on her Instagram Stories, writing, “Mom is here. We’re moving forward in love and strength. I’m in good hands. Thanks to everybody for any type of support and care. Truly, we’re moving forward in strength. Key word, strength. Let that be the takeaway.”
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Billy Was Last Seen In The Season 2 Episode ‘Prior Bad Acts’
The actor’s last appearance got here within the December 4 episode, titled “Prior Bad Acts.” The next episode was the season 2 midseason finale, called “Call It A Christmas Gift.” In a single scene, it’s conveyed that Billy is taking a “personal day” and doesn’t actually appear within the episode.
Nonetheless, Sarah talks to him on the phone and learns that his girlfriend, Claude, played by Bella Ortiz, had had a miscarriage. The interaction suggested that Billy would take a while away from his job on the Jacobson Moore law firm to be able to handle 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 representative from Lamar and Olson, a law firm that’s merging with Jacobson Moore.
Despite the fact that many thought that Billy was written out of the show with the miscarriage storyline, his name popped up again when Gwen asks, “Where is Billy Martinez?”
Sarah is quick 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 need for him to return! Job eliminated!”
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The awkward interaction didn’t end there, as Gwen later asks Sarah about how she, Matty, and Billy all support their boss, Olympia (Skye P. Marshall). Gwen asks, “Could she make do with two people if one among you takes the generous severance package being offered?”
Although 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 show could be setting the stage for Billy to just accept a “severance package” to jot down him out of the show.
Regardless, the “job eliminated” joke didn’t sit well with some online, with many questioning whether it was “mandatory.”
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‘Matlock’ Fans Query How ‘Needed’ The Joke Was
Over on Entertainment Weekly, fans engaged in a discussion concerning the actor’s firing and questioned how “mandatory” it was to maintain bringing up Billy’s role within the show after they could have simply written him out through the midseason finale.
“I don’t think these scenes were mandatory,” one fan wrote. The comment received a number of thumbs-up in agreement.
“Why fire him before the investigation was accomplished? Something is just not adding up here,” one other user asked. One fan replied, “The producers work with these people, in order that they know them higher than us and clearly believed her over him.”
Criminal Charges Were Never Filed Against David Del Rio
Although he was fired from the show, it seems that Lewis didn’t press criminal charges against Del Rio over the alleged sexual assault.
“There hasn’t even been a trial. The web and networks appear to make decisions that individuals are routinely guilty. On this country, there may be a policy of due process. I believe she wanted an even bigger part and needed to get him off the show to get it. Never liked her. Bring him back,” one user wrote.
Nonetheless, not everyone did. One other fan replied, “It was a studio – led investigation, not a criminal one, yet. Corporations can conduct their business as they see fit. If he desires to fight it, then fight. 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. “Criminal investigation and criminal charges are a special matter.”