David Del Rio has been dismissed from Matlock following a sexual assault allegation, according to multiple reports.
Variety confirmed on Thursday, October 9, that Del Rio was removed from the set of CBS’ Matlock reboot — currently filming its second season — after an alleged incident involving another cast member last week. Deadline identified the other actor as Leah Lewis, who portrays Sarah, a lesbian lawyer on the show.
Del Rio played Billy, a first-year associate who works alongside Sarah under Olympia (Skye P. Marshall) at the Jacobson Moore firm. According to Deadline, the alleged incident was reported immediately, prompting swift action from the show’s producers and CBS Studios. Executive producer Eric Christian Olsen was among those who escorted Del Rio off the set.
Production reportedly continued after Del Rio’s removal. With roughly half of the upcoming season already filmed, the series was set to begin a pre-planned hiatus next week, resuming after Thanksgiving. Del Rio will not return for future episodes, and scripts are being revised to address his departure.
CBS’ reimagined Matlock, which debuted last fall, follows Madeline Kingston (Kathy Bates), a lawyer who takes on the alias Matty Matlock to infiltrate the Jacobson Moore firm and avenge her late daughter’s death from an opioid overdose. She uses the Matlock name because her daughter loved the original show, believing the firm covered up evidence that could have prevented the opioid crisis years earlier.
Season 2 of Matlock is set to premiere on CBS on Sunday, October 12.
