Matlock: David Del Rio Fired, Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Co-Star Leah Lewis
A Matlock star is facing serious accusations — and serious consequences.
David Del Rio has been fired from the CBS courtroom drama, a source confirms to TVLine, after the show was alerted to an incident involving the actor. An investigation was conducted, and the show has since parted ways with Del Rio. His character will immediately be written off, though it's not clear how many episodes he'll appear in for the upcoming Season 2. The show is currently on a filming hiatus through November after completing production on the first half of the season. (TVLine has reached out to Del Rio's representatives for comment.)
No details about the alleged incident have been officially released, but TMZ, who first reported the news, says that Del Rio was accused of sexually assaulting co-star Leah Lewis on Paramount property. Del Rio was reportedly escorted off the Paramount lot last week as soon as the allegations were reported.
Del Rio played young associate Billy Martinez on Matlock, appearing in all 19 episodes of its freshman season. He was often paired with Lewis' fellow associate Sarah Franklin as the young guns at the law firm, but their characters weren't romantically linked.
Matlock stars Kathy Bates as Matty, an aging but whip-smart legal mind who infiltrates a high-end law firm looking for proof of a cover-up in an opioid death lawsuit that she blames for her daughter's death. Skye P. Marshall co-stars, along with Jason Ritter, Lewis, Sam Anderson and Aaron Harris.
Season 2 of Matlock debuts this Sunday at 8:30/7:30c on CBS at a special night and time before settling into its regular time slot Thursday, Oct. 16 at 9 pm.