David Del Rio at CBS Fest ’25 held at Paramount Studios on May 07, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alberto Rodriguez/Variety via Getty Images)
Variety via Getty Images
There’s trouble over at Matlock. Series regular David Del Rio has exited the CBS legal drama following an alleged sexual assault investigation. Here’s what to know so far about the allegations, including which stars are involved and the defensive posts Del Rio’s wife reportedly shared and later deleted aimed at his co-star.
On Thursday, Oct. 9, numerous outlets reported that Del Rio was escorted off the Matlock set. CBS confirmed his departure to The New York Times, but the network declined to comment further on the matter.
In his biggest role yet, the 38-year-old actor appeared in all 19 episodes of the show’s first season, a reboot of the courtroom drama that originally ran from 1986 to 1995 with Andy Griffith in the title role. Matlock was the third-most-watched broadcast series last season, averaging 16 million viewers per episode on CBS and Paramount+, according to Nielsen.
Del Rio portrayed Billy Martinez in Matlock, a first-year associate at the firm Jacobson Moore. His exit came as production was wrapping filming on the first half of Season 2, which is set to premiere on CBS on Sunday, Oct. 12.
What Is David Del Rio Accused Of Doing?
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 23: (L-R) Leah Lewis and David Del Rio attend 2025 PaleyFest LA – “Matlock” at Dolby Theatre on March 23, 2025 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Maya Dehlin Spach/WireImage)
WireImage
While details of the incident haven’t been disclosed, Deadline reported that it allegedly involved Del Rio’s Matlock co-star and fellow series regular Leah Lewis and occurred in her trailer on Sept. 26.
Sources told the outlet that the alleged sexual assault was reported on Oct. 2, prompting the studio to launch an internal investigation. The inquiry resulted in Del Rio’s termination and removal from the Paramount lot that same day. Matlock executive producer Eric Christian Olsen was reportedly among those who escorted Del Rio off set.
Del Rio has yet to comment publicly about the allegations.
What Has Leah Lewis Said So Far About The Incident?
LOS ANGELES – MAY 7: Leah Lewis of Matlock attends the CBSFEST 2025-2026: Schedule Announcement event to celebrate CBS’ 2025-2026 primetime lineup at the Paramount Studios lot in Los Angeles on May 7, 2025. The lineup features one new comedy, four action packed dramas, three unscripted series, 18 returning series, sports and special event programming. (Photo by Stewart Cook/CBS via Getty Images)
CBS via Getty Images
On Oct. 9, Lewis — who plays Sarah Franklin in the CBS drama — shared a photo of her and her mom on her Instagram story and thanked fans for their support during this time.
“Mom is here. We’re moving forward in love and strength. I’m in good hands,” she wrote in the now-expired story. “Thank you to everybody for any support and care. Truly, we’re moving forward in strength. Key word, strength. Let that be the takeaway.”
What Did David Del Rio’s Wife Say About Leah Lewis?
HOLLYWOOD, CA – JUNE 21: David Del Rio and Katherine Del Rio attend Universal Pictures’ “The Black Phone” Los Angeles Premiere held at TCL Chinese Theatre on June 21, 2022 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Meanwhile, David’s wife, actress Katherine Del Rio, posted various Instagram stories mocking Lewis’ posts, according to Deadline, which published screenshots of the now-deleted posts.
“This is the most disturbing human being I have ever met,” Katherine’s first post allegedly read, which featured a zoomed-in photo of her husband’s co-star.
The actress also allegedly shared another story with her own mother, using a caption similar to Lewis’s. “Mom is here. We are moving forward in love and strength after what Leah did for our family,” she wrote. “Thank you all for the love and support!”
Katherine’s representatives told Deadline they had no comment but wished her “the very best during this difficult time.”
How Will David Del Rio Be Written Out Of Matlock?
“Tricks of the Trade – Part One” and “Tricks of the Trade – Part Two” – When Sarah’s client is arrested after his business partner is found murdered, Billy attempts to help her handle the case while Matty and Olympia contend with a pressing confidential matter, on a special two-hour first season finale of the CBS Original Series MATLOCK, Thursday, April 17 (9:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and streaming on Paramount+ (live and on demand for Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscribers, or on demand for Paramount+ Essential subscribers the day after the episode airs)*. Pictured (L-R): David Del Rio as “Billy Martinez”, Kathy Bates as “Madeline Matlock”, and Leah Lewis as “Sarah Franklin”. Photo: Sonja Flemming/CBS ©2024 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
CBS
On Oct. 10, The New York Times confirmed that Del Rio’s character will be written out of the series.
With production on the first half of Matlock Season 2 nearly complete, his absence is expected to affect the second half of the season, which is likely to premiere in 2026. Deadline reported that production on Part 2 is slated to resume after Thanksgiving, giving the show’s writers time to determine how to remove his character from the storyline.
Stay tuned for updates on the ongoing investigation.
Matlock Season 2 premieres Sunday, Oct. 12, at 8:30 p.m. ET on CBS. New episodes will be released on Thursdays following the premiere episode.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/monicamercuri/2025/10/10/matlock-alleged-sexual-assault-scandal-explained-why-was-david-del-rio-fired/
