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David Del Rio, a series regular on CBS’s legal drama Matlock, has been abruptly dismissed from the show following an internal investigation into an alleged sexual assault involving co-star Leah Lewis. According to industry sources, the incident reportedly occurred on September 26, and production and studio leadership moved quickly once the allegation was reported on October 2.
The studio behind Matlock, CBS Studios, conducted an internal review and, per sources, terminated Del Rio’s employment the same day the report reached producers. Eyewitness accounts say Del Rio was escorted from the Paramount lot and that executive producer Eric Christian Olsen was among those who oversaw the immediate action. Del Rio has not issued a public statement about the allegation or his dismissal.
How the news landed on set
Filming for Season 2 continued after Del Rio’s removal, but the timing creates practical and narrative headaches. Matlock had just wrapped the first half of Season 2 and is scheduled to pause production for a planned Thanksgiving break. Writers and producers now must revise scripts to write out Del Rio’s character, Billy Martinez, a first-year associate at the Jacobson Moore law firm who works alongside Kathy Bates’s Madeline ‘Matty’ Matlock and Skye P. Marshall’s Olympia Lawrence.
The creative challenge is twofold: maintain story momentum while respecting a developing investigation and the well-being of cast and crew. Rewriting an actor out of serialized television midseason is not unprecedented, but it demands fast, thoughtful choices to preserve character arcs and avoid jarring viewers.
Cast response and social media
Hours after the initial report circulated, Leah Lewis posted an image to her Instagram stories with a message about moving forward 'in love and strength' alongside her mother. The post signaled resilience and gratitude for support from fans and colleagues. Meanwhile, Del Rio’s wife, Katherine Del Rio, briefly shared and then deleted social-media posts that referenced Lewis by name; those posts have since been removed and are not part of the public record.
Context in the industry
High-profile sets have moved rapidly in recent years when allegations emerge, as studios balance legal risk, workplace safety, and public perception. From swift editing choices to recasting and reshoots, networks increasingly have formal protocols to ensure investigations are handled and productions can continue. Matlock’s quick action mirrors that trend: the immediate removal and prompt internal review suggest CBS Studios prioritized an expedient, contained response.
Comparisons and critical perspective
This incident invites comparison to past television controversies where shows had to pivot quickly, such as when productions recast or removed talent following allegations. Unlike anthology projects or procedurals that can more easily swap characters, serialized dramas with tightly woven arcs face bigger creative costs when a regular exits abruptly. Matlock’s writing team will need to find an organic way to close Billy Martinez’s storyline without undermining the ensemble dynamic led by Kathy Bates and Jason Ritter.
Behind the scenes and on-screen resonance
The series has already explored themes of sexual misconduct—Episode 3 of Season 1 centered on a young lawyer’s claim of assault by her boss—so the offscreen controversy will inevitably add weight to the show’s public conversation. Fans and critics alike are watching how Matlock navigates the overlap between a narrative about power and justice and a real-world allegation among its cast.
Expert view
Film critic Anna Kovacs, who covers television ethics and production, notes: 'When a show confronts issues like sexual assault on-screen, how it responds off-screen becomes part of its narrative identity. Rapid studio action sends a message about workplace safety, but long-term credibility depends on transparency and how the story is resolved for both cast and audience.'
What’s next for Matlock
Season 2 is slated to premiere on October 12, and the show will briefly pause filming after completing its current block. Viewers can expect changes to upcoming episodes as scripts are retooled. Beyond logistics, Matlock’s handling of this episode could influence how audiences perceive the series’ commitment to its own legal-and-ethical themes.
The situation remains fluid. As investigations and any potential legal processes proceed, more details are likely to emerge. For now, the production’s swift response and the cast’s mixed social-media signals have set a tense but decisive tone around the show’s future.
Source: deadline
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