A dramatic turn on the set of CBS’s “Matlock” sees star David Del Rio removed following serious sexual assault allegations from co-star Leah Lewis, escalating into a public war of words with Del Rio’s wife, Katherine, whose Instagram posts stunned fans and fueled intense online discussion.
The quiet anticipation for the second season of CBS’s “Matlock” has been shattered by a high-profile scandal involving series regular David Del Rio. The actor, known to fans as Billy Martinez, was reportedly fired from the legal drama following serious allegations of sexual assault made by his co-star, Leah Lewis, who portrays Sarah Franklin.
The alleged incident, involving the 38-year-old Del Rio and 28-year-old Lewis, reportedly occurred in Lewis’s trailer on the Paramount lot on September 26. An internal investigation was immediately launched by producers and the studio behind “Matlock,” leading to swift action. According to a report by Yahoo Entertainment, which cited Deadline, Del Rio was escorted off the set on October 2, the very same day the alleged assault was reported. Sources indicate that executive producer Eric Christian Olsen was directly involved in his removal.
The Allegations and Immediate Fallout for “Matlock”
The news has sent shockwaves through the production of “Matlock,” a reboot of the classic 1980s legal drama starring Oscar-winner Kathy Bates as Madeline Kingston. Del Rio’s character, Billy Martinez, a first-year associate at Jacobson Moore, is slated to be written off the show entirely. While the first half of the second season has already been filmed, production is currently on a pre-planned hiatus, with the cast set to return after Thanksgiving to complete the remainder of the season. The second season is scheduled to premiere on October 12, adding an unexpected layer of controversy to its debut.
Leah Lewis and Katherine Del Rio Break Their Silence
In the wake of the allegations and Del Rio’s firing, both Leah Lewis and David Del Rio’s wife, Katherine Del Rio, took to Instagram to share their perspectives, igniting a public dispute that captivated fans.
Leah Lewis’s Message of Strength
On October 9, Leah Lewis posted a photo of herself hugging her mother on her Instagram stories. Her caption conveyed a message of resilience and gratitude to her supporters.
- “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. Please, let that be the takeaway.”
Katherine Del Rio’s Explosive Response
Later that same night, Katherine Del Rio broke her silence with a series of Instagram stories that directly targeted Leah Lewis. These posts, which were quickly deleted but widely captured by news outlets, revealed a strong counter-narrative from Del Rio’s family.
- Katherine shared a zoomed-in photo of Lewis’s face from Lewis’s original post, overlaid with the text: “This is the most disturbing human being I have ever met.” This specific detail was reported by Just Jared.
- She then mimicked Lewis’s post, sharing a photo with her own mother, writing: “Mom is here. We are moving forward in love and strength after what Leah did to our family. Thank you all for the love and support!”
These emotionally charged posts from Katherine Del Rio quickly became a focal point for fan discussion, highlighting the deeply personal and public nature of the ongoing situation. The couple, David and Katherine, married in April 2018 and share two daughters, Lilia, born in July 2023, and Coco, born in March 2025, adding another layer of personal context to Katherine’s defense of her husband.
What Lies Ahead for “Matlock” and Its Stars
As the production of “Matlock” navigates this unforeseen scandal, the immediate future of David Del Rio’s career remains uncertain. He has not yet publicly addressed the sexual assault allegations. The controversy has ignited a fervent discussion among fans, weighing the public statements and the implications for both Lewis and the Del Rio family.
The “Matlock” series, which relies heavily on its ensemble cast alongside Kathy Bates, will undoubtedly face challenges as it moves forward without one of its original cast members and deals with the fallout from such serious accusations. Fans will be watching closely to see how the show addresses Billy Martinez’s departure and how the events impact the remaining cast members as the second season unfolds.
