‘Matlock’ faces backlash for David Del Rio joke

‘Matlock’ Fans Believe The Series Might Not Be Handled David Del Rioexit in the best possible way. The actor, who played Billy Martinez in the legal series, was accused of sexually assaulting his partner, Lea Lewiswho played the role of Sarah, Billy’s colleague.

David Del Rio removed from ‘Matlock’ following sexual assault allegations

In October 2025, Deadline reported that “Matlock” actor David Del Rio was fired due to sexual assault allegations. CBS, the studio behind the courtroom drama starring Kathy Batesescorted the actor off the Paramount lot the same day the alleged assault was reported, according to sources.

Hours after news of her departure became public, Lewis posted a photo of her and her mother on her Instagram Stories, writing, “Mom is here. We are moving forward with love and strength. I am in good hands. Thank you everyone for any kind of support and care. Truly, we are moving forward with strength. The key word, strength. Let that be the takeaway.”

Billy was last seen in the season 2 episode “Prior Bad Acts”

The actor’s final appearance was in the December 4 episode, titled “Prior Bad Acts.” The next episode was the season 2 mid-season finale, titled “Call It A Christmas Gift”. In one scene, it is stated that Billy is taking a “personal day” and does not actually appear in the episode.

However, Sarah speaks to him on the phone and learns that his girlfriend, Claude, played by Bella Ortiz, suffered a miscarriage. The interaction suggested that Billy would take time off from his job at the Jacobson Moore law firm in order to deal with the loss.

‘Matlock’ jokes about David Del Rio leaving

In the Season 2 midseason premiere, titled “Collateral,” Sarah and Matty Matlock meet Gwen Easton (Sarah Wright-Olsen), a human resources representative at Lamar and Olson, a law firm that is merging with Jacobson Moore.

Although many thought Billy was written off the show with the miscarriage storyline, his name came up again when Gwen asked, “Where’s Billy Martinez?”

Sarah is quick to tell him that he is “sick” and that he is “very, very sick” and that he is “vomiting.”

Gwen then jokes about him leaving, saying, “Yeah! So no need for him to come back! Job gone!”

The awkward interaction didn’t stop there, as Gwen later asks Sarah how she, Matty, and Billy all support their boss, Olympia (Skye P. Marshall). Gwen asks, “Could she settle for two people if one of you takes the generous severance package offered?”

Although Sarah tells him “that’s not going to happen” because they’re “all very dedicated to Jacobson Moore and Olympia,” it seems like the show could be setting the stage for Billy to accept a “severance package” to get him off the show.

Regardless, the joke about the job being cut didn’t sit well with some online, with many wondering if it was “necessary.”

‘Matlock’ Fans Wonder How ‘Necessary’ The Joke Was

Over on Entertainment Weekly, fans started a discussion about the actor’s firing and questioned how “necessary” it was to continue bringing up Billy’s role on the show when they could have just written him out during the midseason finale.

“I don’t think these scenes were necessary,” one fan wrote. The comment received a few kudos in agreement.

“Why fire him before the investigation is complete? Something is wrong here,” another user asked. One fan replied: “The producers work with these people so they know them better than us and obviously believed it over him.”

Criminal charges were never filed against David Del Rio

Although he was fired from the show, it appears that Lewis did not file criminal charges against Del Rio for alleged sexual assault.

“There wasn’t even a trial. The internet and networks seem to make decisions that people are automatically guilty. In this country there is a due process policy. I think she wanted a bigger role and had to take him off the show to get it. I never liked her. Bring him back,” one user wrote.

However, not everyone did so. Another fan responded: “This was a studio investigation, not yet criminal. Companies can go about their business however they want. If he wants to fight her, then fight. I believe Leah.”

“The studio’s investigation is complete. This is all it takes for someone to lose their job,” added a third. “The criminal investigation and criminal charges are another matter.”