Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

‘Matlock’ Actor David Del Rio Fired Over Alleged Sexual Assault
Deadline ^ | October 9, 2025 | Nellie Andreeva

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.


TOPICS: TV/Movies
KEYWORDS:

Click here: to donate by Credit Card

Or here: to donate by PayPal

Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794

Thank you very much and God bless you.


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-46 last
To: Albion Wilde

Thanks for that critique. We enjoy the show. It’s much more cerebral than the original Matlock with Andy Griffith. We were glad when we learned it was being picked up for a second season.

Beau Bridges’ character is interesting, and John Ritter’s son does a good job.


41 posted on 10/10/2025 3:44:40 PM PDT by MayflowerMadam (It's hard not to celebrate the fall of bad people. - Bongino)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: Albion Wilde

I wasn’t being vicious towards Kathy Bates... Awesome actress, accolades, etc., etc. and great in many of the roles she’s played over the years...

I was joking, as were many of the people who responded to this post... This forum is for serious discussions and for some occasional levity from time to time. This post did not appear to be serious in nature... Leaving some room for levity. There is no actual evidence put forth indicating that Mr. Del Rio actually committed any sort of crime. So lets have some fun... If he truly is guilty of anything... Lets hope he pays the proper price...

But some of todays children think a ‘come on’ is a crime... Men ‘come on’ to women... Women ‘come on’ to men... Just because somebody makes an advance, that doesn’t make them a criminal. So this ‘Hollywood’ story leaves a lot of room for levity.


42 posted on 10/10/2025 5:46:36 PM PDT by jerod (Nazis were essentially Socialist in Hugo Boss uniforms... Get over it!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: cyclotic

My wife and I liked the original series. She bought the DVD set and we watched them all a few times.


43 posted on 10/10/2025 6:46:09 PM PDT by JohnnyP (Thinking is hard work (I stole that from Rush).)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 25 | View Replies]

To: jerod
There is no actual evidence put forth indicating that Mr. Del Rio actually committed any sort of crime. So lets have some fun... If he truly is guilty of anything... Lets hope he pays the proper price...

He is already paying the price of a scandal reported here and in Europe via a big spread in DailyMail, disruption of his marriage and loss of his job. They had better have proof.

44 posted on 10/10/2025 7:42:18 PM PDT by Albion Wilde (“Columbus Day! We're back, Italians! We love the Italians, okay?” Trump said. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 42 | View Replies]

To: MayflowerMadam
Beau Bridges’ character is interesting

My eyes popped out of my head when the Big Boss (Bridges) invited her to smoke a doobie with him in his office after hours. The scene was shot from above of them lying on two parallel leather chaise lounges to enjoy the buzz, smiling goofily...

45 posted on 10/11/2025 2:25:47 PM PDT by Albion Wilde (“Columbus Day! We're back, Italians! We love the Italians, okay?” Trump said. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 41 | View Replies]

To: Albion Wilde

That was funny!


46 posted on 10/11/2025 2:44:08 PM PDT by MayflowerMadam (It's hard not to celebrate the fall of bad people. - Bongino)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 45 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-46 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson