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Posted on 10/10/2025 9:37:30 AM PDT by nickcarraway
Matlock series regular David Del Rio has abruptly exited the hit CBS legal drama following an investigation into a sexual assault allegation, Deadline has learned. According to sources, the alleged incident occurred Sept. 26 and involved fellow Matlock series regular Leah Lewis.
A report of the incident, which we hear happened in Lewis’ trailer, triggered immediate action by the series’ producers and the studio behind Matlock, CBS Studios. Following an internal investigation by the studio, Del Rio was fired and escorted off the Paramount lot the same day the alleged assault was reported, which we hear was Oct. 2. According to sources, Matlock executive producer Eric Christian Olsen was among those who led him away.
Filming on Matlock continued after Del Rio’s firing. Matlock is set to go on a pre-planned hiatus next week after wrapping the first half of Season 2 this week, with production slated to resume after Thanksgiving. Given the sudden nature of Del Rio’s departure, the Matlock creative team will have to rework scripts to write his character off.
UPDATE: Hours after Deadline’s report was published, Lewis posted a photo of her and her mom on her Instagram stories with the caption, “Mom is here. We’re moving forward in love and strength. I’m in good hands. Thank you to everybody for any kind of support and care. Truly, we’re moving forward in strength. Key word, strength. Let that be the takeaway.” (You can see it below.)
Del Rio is yet to publicly comment on the accusations an his dismissal from Matlock. The Instagram account of his wife, actress and chef Katherine Del Rio, briefly posted and deleted a story Thursday night which featured a zoomed-in picture of Lewis’ face from today’s photo with her mom. It was accompanied by the caption, “This is the most disturbing human being I have ever met.”
Katherine Del Rio subsequently posted and deleted an IG story that mirrored Lewis’, referencing her by name. Del Rio shared a photo of her and her mom with the caption: “Mom is here. We’re moving forward in love and strength after what Leah did to our family. Thank you all for the love and support!” (You can see it below.)
On Matlock, Del Rio played Billy Martinez, a first-year associate at Jacobson Moore, the law firm which hired Madeline “Matty” Matlock (Kathy Bates) — claiming to be a widowed lawyer — to work under Olympia Lawrence (Skye P. Marshall).
In addition to Bates, Marshall and Lewis, Matlock’s main cast also includes Jason Ritter.
The series tackled the topic of sexual assault In Episode 3 of its first season, in which Matlock (Bates) takes over the case of a young lawyer claiming that she was sexually assaulted by her boss.
Season 2 of Matlock premieres Oct. 12.
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I guess something happened...
First year associate?
No one will even miss them.
“...the Matlock creative team will have to rework scripts to write his character off.”
Just use the old tried and true method: He died................
replace him with a woman and say he transitioned.
This whole story is bizarre. Apparently they are remaking the show and Matlock is a woman now?
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(749x0:751x2)/Leah-Lewis-David-Del-Rio-100925-2112010d8ca640b5a87938e2a02c3391.jpg)
That is him on the right. ;)
the Matlock creative team
How ‘creative’ can you be if you are just dredging up an old series?
this is the woke rebrand where matlock is a woman?
yes
Small fry.
They were too scared to go after Andy Griffith.
Who even knew they recycled the Matlock name for this one-season show?
Yup... He probably asked her out for an afterwork beer... And she then screamed ‘sexual harassment’, while her mom hit him with her handbag.
Nah, seems this is the new Matlock with Kathy Bates taking over the lead role.
First I've heard of it.
Matlock transitioned?
Wait one minute... Are you saying Kathy Bates is a ‘woman’?
Did you get her permission to use that term?
Make it an Asian woman and he REALLY transitioned!
Actually, it’s only resemblance to the old series is that Kathy Bates’ character is wily, and always wins.
“Matlock Actor” has to be way more embarassing than any sexual charges.
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