“Matlock Actor David Del Rio Dismissed Amid Sexual Assault Allegations”
David Del Rio, known for his role in the CBS legal drama Matlock, has been dismissed amidst serious sexual assault allegations. This decision followed a formal investigation into an incident involving fellow cast member Leah Lewis.
Incident Details
The alleged occurrence reportedly took place on September 26. As a result, the producers and CBS Studios moved swiftly, launching an internal investigation. On October 2, Del Rio was terminated and escorted off the studio lot, with executive producer Eric Christian Olsen overseeing the dismissal.
Impact on Production
Filming for Matlock has continued despite Del Rio’s abrupt exit. However, the show’s creative team faces the challenge of rewriting scripts to eliminate his character, Billy Martinez, a first-year associate at Jacobson Moore, the law firm at the series’ heart.
About Matlock
- Matlock stars Kathy Bates as Madeline “Matty” Matlock.
- Other key cast members include Skye P. Marshall and Jason Ritter.
- Season 2 is set to premiere on October 12.
The show’s commitment to addressing serious issues is evident, as it recently tackled sexual assault in its first season. In Episode 3, Matlock represents a young lawyer claiming she was assaulted by her employer.
Future of the Series
Matlock will enter a planned hiatus next week after completing half of its current season. Production is scheduled to resume after Thanksgiving, leaving the team to adapt their storytelling in light of recent developments.
