‘Matlock’ Faces Backlash For David Del Rio Firing Joke

Fans of “Matlock” feel that the show might not be handling David Del Rio’s exit in the best way possible. The actor, who played Billy Martinez on the legal drama, was accused of allegedly sexually assaulting his costar, Leah Lewis, who played Billy’s colleague, Sarah.

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

Hours after the news of his departure went public, Lewis posted a photo of her and her mother on her Instagram Stories, writing, “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. Let that be the takeaway.”

The actor’s last appearance came in the December 4 episode, titled “Prior Bad Acts.” The following episode was the season 2 midseason finale, called “Call It A Christmas Gift.” In one scene, it’s conveyed that Billy is taking a “personal day” and does not actually appear in the episode.

However, Sarah talks to him on the phone and learns that his girlfriend, Claude, played by Bella Ortiz, had had a miscarriage. The interaction suggested that Billy would take some time away from his job at the Jacobson Moore law firm in order to handle the loss.

On the season 2 midseason premiere, titled “Collateral,” Sarah and Matty Matlock meet with Gwen Easton (Sarah Wright-Olsen), a HR representative from Lamar and Olson, a law firm that is merging with Jacobson Moore.

Even though many thought that Billy was written out of the show with the miscarriage storyline, his name popped up again when Gwen asks, “Where is Billy Martinez?”

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

Gwen then jokes about his exit, saying, “Yay! So no need for him to return! Job eliminated!”

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

Although Sarah tells her “that’s not going to happen,” as they are “all very devoted to Jacobson Moore and to Olympia,” it seems that the show might be setting the stage for Billy to accept a “severance package” to write him out of the show.

Regardless, the “job eliminated” joke didn’t sit well with some online, with many questioning whether it was “necessary.”

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

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

“Why fire him before the investigation was completed? Something is not adding up here,” another user asked. One fan replied, “The producers work with these people, so they know them better than us and obviously believed her over him.”

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

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

However, not everyone did. Another fan replied, “It was a studio – led investigation, not a criminal one, yet. Corporations can conduct their business as they see fit. If he wants to fight it, then fight. I believe Leah.”

“The studio investigation was completed. That is all it takes for someone to lose their job,” a third chimed in. “Criminal investigation and criminal charges are a different matter.”