Hollywood’s Swift Justice: Inside the Investigation That Ended David Del Rio’s Matlock Tenure
In a stunning development that has sent shockwaves through Hollywood’s corridors of power, David Del Rio has been abruptly terminated from CBS’s critically acclaimed reimagining of Matlock, following what sources describe as a deeply troubling internal investigation into allegations of sexual assault. The incident, which Deadline reports occurred on September 26th, allegedly involved his co-star Leah Lewis, transforming what should have been another triumphant season for the Kathy Bates-led vehicle into an industry cautionary tale.
The alleged assault, which sources indicate took place within the confines of Lewis’s trailer—a space that should represent sanctuary and safety—prompted immediate and decisive action from the series’ producers and CBS Studios. In an industry often criticized for its glacial response to misconduct allegations, the studio’s reaction was remarkably swift: Del Rio was dismissed and escorted from the Paramount lot on October 2nd, the very day the incident was formally reported. Among those who reportedly accompanied him off the premises was executive producer Eric Christian Olsen, underscoring the gravity with which the production treated these allegations.
Del Rio portrayed Billy Martinez, a promising first-year associate at the prestigious Jacobson Moore law firm, where Madeline “Matty” Matlock—played with characteristic brilliance by the incomparable Kathy Bates—had embedded herself under carefully constructed pretenses. His departure leaves a significant void in the ensemble, forcing the creative team to hastily reimagine storylines as the series approaches its pre-planned hiatus following this week’s completion of Season 2’s first half.
In the wake of Deadline’s initial report, Lewis broke her silence through Instagram, sharing a poignant image alongside her mother. “We’re moving forward in love and strength,” she wrote, her words carrying the weight of resilience that has become all too familiar among survivors. “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.”
The timing carries a particularly bitter irony: Matlock’s inaugural season featured a powerful third episode addressing workplace sexual assault, in which Bates’s character champions a young attorney who accused her superior of misconduct. Art, it seems, has collided devastatingly with reality.
Production continues on Matlock, with the ensemble—including Jason Ritter, Skye P. Marshall, Sam Anderson, and Aaron Harris—returning after Thanksgiving to complete Season 2. The series, which has captivated audiences with its clever subversion of the beloved original franchise, debuts its sophomore season this Sunday at a special 8:30/7:30c time slot before settling into its regular Thursday evening home on October 16th.
As Hollywood continues its necessary reckoning with misconduct, this incident serves as yet another reminder that the work remains far from finished.
