Followers of “Matlock” really feel that the present won’t be dealing with David Del Rio’s exit in one of the best ways attainable. 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 attributable to 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 fingers. Thanks to everyone for any form 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 Present.” In a single scene, it’s conveyed that Billy is taking a “private day” and doesn’t truly seem within the episode.
Nonetheless, Sarah talks to him on the telephone and learns that his girlfriend, Claude, performed by Bella Ortiz, had had a miscarriage. The interplay instructed that Billy would take a while away from his job on the Jacobson Moore legislation agency with the intention 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.
Although 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, “May she make do with two folks if one in all you takes the beneficiant severance bundle being supplied?”
Though Sarah tells her “that’s not going to occur,” as they’re “all very dedicated to Jacobson Moore and to Olympia,” evidently the present is perhaps setting the stage for Billy to just accept a “severance bundle” to put in writing him out of the present.
Regardless, the “job eradicated” joke didn’t sit nicely with some on-line, with many questioning whether or not it was “obligatory.”
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‘Matlock’ Followers Query How ‘Obligatory’ The Joke Was
Over on Leisure Weekly, followers engaged in a dialogue concerning the actor’s firing and questioned how “obligatory” it was to maintain mentioning Billy’s function within the present once they may have merely written him out in the course of the midseason finale.
“I don’t assume these scenes had been obligatory,” one fan wrote. The remark acquired just a few thumbs-up in settlement.
“Why hearth him earlier than the investigation was accomplished? One thing will not be including up right here,” one other consumer requested. One fan replied, “The producers work with these folks, in order that they know them higher than us and clearly believed her over him.”
Felony Expenses Had been By no means Filed In opposition to David Del Rio
Though he was fired from the present, it seems that Lewis didn’t press legal costs in opposition to Del Rio over the alleged sexual assault.
“There hasn’t even been a trial. The web and networks appear to make choices that individuals are robotically responsible. On this nation, there’s a coverage of due course of. I feel she needed an even bigger half and needed to get him off the present to get it. By no means preferred her. Deliver him again,” one consumer wrote.
Nonetheless, not everybody did. One other fan replied, “It was a studio – led investigation, not a legal one, but. Companies can conduct their enterprise as they see match. If he needs to combat it, then combat. I imagine 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 costs are a unique matter.”
