UPDATED: Matlock regular David Del Rio fired for alleged sexual assault

Del Rio's co-star, Leah Lewis, has alluded to the incident that led to his firing on social media, writing that she's "moving forward in strength."

By Matt Schimkowitz  |  October 9, 2025 | 4:24pm
Photo: Francis Specker/CBS
TV News Matlock
UPDATED: Matlock regular David Del Rio fired for alleged sexual assault

Update, 10/9/25 at 10:30 p.m.: Leah Lewis has now commented, albeit somewhat obliquely, on today’s events. Per Deadline, the Matlock co-star posted on her Instagram Stories on Thursday night, showing a picture of herself with her mother with the caption “Mom is here, we’re moving forward in love and strength. 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. Please, let that be the takeaway.” Lewis gave no further information about the incident that led to Del Rio’s firing.

Original story: Matlock series regular David Del Rio was fired from the show earlier this month over accusations of sexual assault, following an internal investigation by CBS. The alleged assault occurred on September 26 and involved Leah Lewis, another series regular on the reboot, per Deadline. Del Rio’s character, Billy Martinez, was a first-year associate at the in-universe law firm Jacobson Moore. A main cast member, Del Rio regularly appeared throughout the season alongside Lewis, who played another first-year associate. Oftentimes, they were on screen together.

After the incident was reported, CBS conducted an investigation and afterward fired Del Rio the same day (which Deadline pegs to October 2). The show continued filming following his dismissal. Seeing as the show is about to head into a planned hiatus, writers and producers will have to write Billy out of future scripts. Nevertheless, Matlock‘s second season premieres on October 12.

 
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