Latino actor David Del Rio has been fired from CBS's new Matlock reboot following an allegation of sexual assault made by co-star Leah Lewis. The alleged incident reportedly occurred on September 26 and was formally reported on October 2. Del Rio, who played attorney Billy Martinez on the series, was immediately removed from the set once the complaint was filed.
According to Deadline, the production team acted swiftly following the accusation. Multiple sources confirmed that executive producer Eric Christian Olsen personally escorted Del Rio off the studio lot. An internal investigation was launched by CBS Studios, and the network ultimately terminated Del Rio's contract.
Neither Del Rio nor his representatives have issued a public statement in response to the allegations. CBS has also not released any detailed comment as of press time.
Leah Lewis, known for her breakout role in Netflix's The Half of It, stars in Matlock as Sarah Franklin, another young attorney working alongside Del Rio's now-former character. Sources say Lewis made the complaint through proper channels within the production.
Production on Matlock resumed without Del Rio. The show is still scheduled to premiere its second season on October 12.
The firing marks a dramatic fall for Del Rio, who was cast in Matlock as part of a high-profile revival of the classic courtroom series originally led by Andy Griffith. The reboot stars Kathy Bates in the lead role.
Del Rio had previously earned recognition for roles in Pitch Perfect, The Belko Experiment, and Grease Live, and had built a steady career across television and film. He also co-founded Theater Row Productions with his wife, Kristen Del Rio, where they produced both independent films and stage content.
While no criminal charges have been announced, the accusation has already impacted Del Rio's career and the public reception of the series. Industry insiders expect further developments as the network and production companies respond to public scrutiny and potential legal fallout.
This remains a developing story.
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