In a shocking development, David Del Rio, a regular cast member of the hit CBS legal drama Matlock, has been dismissed following an investigation into a serious sexual assault allegation. This news comes from reliable sources at Deadline, revealing that the alleged incident occurred on September 26 and involved fellow series regular, Leah Lewis.
The situation escalated quickly, prompting immediate action from the producers of Matlock and CBS Studios, the production company behind the show. Following a thorough internal investigation, Del Rio was terminated and reportedly escorted off the studio lot on the same day the allegation was made, October 2. Sources indicate that Eric Christian Olsen, the executive producer of Matlock, was involved in the decision to remove Del Rio from the set.
Despite the abrupt dismissal of Del Rio, filming for Matlock continued uninterrupted. The series is slated to enter a pre-planned hiatus next week after completing half of its current season. Production is scheduled to resume after Thanksgiving, but the sudden nature of Del Rio’s exit means that the creative team will have to make significant adjustments. They will need to rework scripts to effectively write off Del Rio’s character.
David Del Rio portrayed Billy Martinez, a first-year associate at Jacobson Moore, the law firm central to the plot of Matlock. This firm is where Madeline “Matty” Matlock, played by Kathy Bates, is employed after claiming to be a widowed lawyer. The series also features Skye P. Marshall and Jason Ritter in key roles alongside Lewis.
This is not the first time Matlock has tackled the sensitive subject of sexual assault. In Episode 3 of its inaugural season, the show delves into the case of a young lawyer who alleges she was sexually assaulted by her superior, showcasing the series' commitment to addressing critical social issues.
With Season 2 of Matlock set to premiere on October 12, viewers are left to ponder how the series will adapt to the sudden departure of Del Rio and what implications this will have for the storyline moving forward.
