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 triggered immediate action by the series’ producers and CBS Studios, which is behind Matlock. Following an internal investigation by the studio, Del Rio was fired and escorted off the 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 half of the new season 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.
Del Rio played Billy Martinez, a first-year associate at Jacobson Moore, the law firm at the center of the show 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.
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