CBS Declines to Reverse David Del Rio’s ‘Matlock’ Firing After Conclusion of Reopened Investigation
CBS is not going to reverse the community’s choice to fireplace David Del Rio from Matlock. The choice is the results of a reopened investigation into allegations the actor sexually assaulted co star Leah Lewis.
TMZ reported Thursday that Del Rio offered new proof he believed disputed claims made by Lewis.
Del Rio performed lawyer Billy Martinez on the sequence earlier than he was written off the present throughout manufacturing of its second season. No legal expenses have been filed in reference to the allegations.
The second season of Matlock debuted on the community in October 2025. The present took a break following the allegations and returned in February 2026 with a model new character. Del Rio’s remaining episode on present aired in December 2025 and viewers came upon his girlfriend Claudia (performed by Bella Ortiz) had a miscarriage.
Series creator Jennie Snyder Urman informed Variety forward of time that it was essential to the crew that Del Rio’s exit made sense for his character. “It is really in line with the character and in line with what’s happening with the firm at large,” she mentioned. “We want to remain true to the character.”
Snyder Urman additionally beforehand informed Deadline that newcomer Hunter is just not meant to switch Del Rio’s Billy. “We’re always bringing in new associates, new people, because we want to give our characters different energies to react to, and different obstacles to overcome,” she defined. “And one thing that we were talking about in the writers’ room that we’ve been wanting to bring in is a bro. Like, a real bro.”
David Del Rio Was Removed From ‘Matlock’ Set in October
Del Rio was faraway from the set of Matlock on October 2, 2025. Lewis shared a photograph of herself and her mom in her Instagram Stories the identical day and wrote, “Mom is here, we’re moving forward in love and strength. I’m in good hands.”
“Thank you to everyone for any kind of support and care. Truly, we’re moving forward in strength. Key word, strength,” she added. “Please, let that be the takeaway.”
The investigation into Lewis’ allegations was reopened in December, and the community reportedly interviewed extra individuals to additional perceive what did or didn’t occur. CBS declined to make an official assertion to a number of retailers, however The Blast reported that the present’s government producer Eric Christian Olsen was the one who fired Del Rio.
The actor took a social media break after the allegations have been raised and has not posted on Instagram since late September 2025.
David Del Rio Has Been Married Since 2018
Del Rio has been married to his spouse Katherine since 2018. The pair acquired engaged in 2017 and share two kids, daughters Lily and Coco.
Per People, Katherine can also be an actress and a chef, and he or she and David based the manufacturing firm Theater Row Productions collectively. In 2019 she was employed to work as a private chef for the Jonas Brothers and he or she’s additionally catered numerous music festivals and occasions.
In March 2017 Katherine informed Inside Edition she noticed David for the primary time when he carried out in a Broadway manufacturing of In The Heights.
Related: Leah Lewis Makes 1st Comment After David Del Rio ‘Firing’ Reports
This story was initially revealed by Men’s Journal on Feb 20, 2026, the place it first appeared within the Entertainment part. Add Men’s Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking right here.
