Actor David Del Rio fired from Matlock after Leah Lewis was accused of sexually abusing her at the studio
CBS Studios announced the immediate dismissal of actor David Del Rio from the Matlock series following an internal investigation into a sexual abuse accusation involving co-star Leah Lewis. The incident occurred on September 26, 2025, at Paramount studios in Los Angeles, where the production was filming the second season. Del Rio, who played attorney Billy Martinez, was escorted off the premises on October 2, shortly after the formal complaint was filed.
Leah Lewis, known for her role as Sarah Franklin in the series, confirmed her involvement in the episode during the investigation conducted by the network. The decision aims to maintain a safe working environment, in line with CBS protocols for similar cases. Filming continued without significant interruptions, with script adjustments to remove Del Rio’s character from future episodes.
The second season of Matlock premieres on October 12, 2025, with two initial episodes, and the actor appears only in the first half of the already filmed storyline.
Role of Billy Martinez in the plot
Billy Martinez, portrayed by David Del Rio, was a junior associate at the Jacobson Moore law firm, working alongside Sarah Franklin and under Olympia Lawrence’s supervision.
The young attorney’s character added dynamism to the narrative, handling complex legal cases and interactions with the protagonist, Matty.
With his removal, producers plan to redistribute scenes, ensuring no gaps in the storyline centered on legal investigations.
Leah Lewis’s statement
Leah Lewis shared a message on her social media on the afternoon of October 9, highlighting the family support she received after the incident. The actress posted a photo with her mother, with a caption emphasizing resilience and continuing professional and personal activities.
The post expressed gratitude for the support from fans and colleagues, without detailing the incident, and underscored the value of collaborative set environments.
The message, viewed by thousands of followers, received positive responses supporting Lewis’s career in television productions.
Family repercussions and responses
David Del Rio’s wife, actress Katherine Del Rio, posted and later deleted an Instagram story criticizing the situation and mentioning family impacts.
The post, which echoed elements of Lewis’s message, was removed hours after publication, with no further comments from CBS or the production.
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Sources close to the matter indicate that Del Rio’s family is prioritizing privacy during the process, while the series focuses on its airing schedule.
Matlock series background
Matlock, a reboot of the 1980s classic, premiered in 2024 with Kathy Bates as Madeline Matlock, an experienced attorney infiltrating an elite law firm.
The series has 19 episodes in its first season, averaging 7 million viewers per episode in the U.S., according to Nielsen data. Bates earned Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for her performance, plus a Critics Choice Awards win in 2025.
The cast includes Skye P. Marshall as Olympia Lawrence and Jason Ritter in a recurring role, with additions like Justina Machado in the second season.
The plot explores themes of justice and corporate corruption in New York, maintaining a format of standalone episodes with ongoing arcs.
Impact on current production
Filming for the second season has reached its midpoint, with a scheduled break from next week until November. Script adjustments include the gradual elimination of Billy Martinez, without affecting the CBS premiere schedule.
Producers like Eric Christian Olsen, who assisted in Del Rio’s removal from the set, are coordinating changes to preserve narrative integrity.
Hollywood safety protocols
The television industry has adopted strict guidelines since 2017, with annual conduct training and confidential incident reporting.
- CBS implements hotlines for complaints, ensuring initial anonymity for victims.
- Internal investigations typically last 48 hours for immediate actions like suspensions or dismissals.
- Partnerships with organizations like Time’s Up provide psychological and legal support for those involved.
These measures, applied in over 50 annual cases at major studios, aim to reduce recurrences in creative work environments.
