‘Matlock’ Faces Backlash For David Del Rio Firing Joke

Followers of “Matlock” really feel that the present may not be dealing with David Del Rio’s exit in the easiest way potential. The actor, who performed Billy Martinez on the authorized drama, was accused of allegedly sexually assaulting his costar, Leah Lewis, who performed Billy’s colleague, Sarah.

In October 2025, Deadline reported that “Matlock” actor David Del Rio was fired on account of sexual assault allegations. CBS, the studio behind the authorized drama starring Kathy Bates, escorted the actor off the Paramount lot the identical day the alleged assault was reported, based on sources.

Hours after the information of his departure went public, Lewis posted a photograph of her and her mom on her Instagram Tales, writing, “Mother is right here. We’re transferring ahead in love and power. I’m in good arms. Thanks to everyone for any sort of help and care. Really, we’re transferring ahead in power. Key phrase, power. Let that be the takeaway.”

The actor’s final look got here within the December 4 episode, titled “Prior Unhealthy Acts.” The next episode was the season 2 midseason finale, known as “Name It A Christmas Present.” In a single scene, it’s conveyed that Billy is taking a “private day” and doesn’t truly seem within the episode.

Nevertheless, Sarah talks to him on the telephone and learns that his girlfriend, Claude, performed by Bella Ortiz, had had a miscarriage. The interplay advised that Billy would take a while away from his job on the Jacobson Moore legislation agency as a way to deal with the loss.

On the season 2 midseason premiere, titled “Collateral,” Sarah and Matty Matlock meet with Gwen Easton (Sarah Wright-Olsen), a HR consultant from Lamar and Olson, a legislation agency that’s merging with Jacobson Moore.

Though many thought that Billy was written out of the present with the miscarriage storyline, his title popped up once more when Gwen asks, “The place is Billy Martinez?”

Sarah is fast to inform her that he’s “out sick” and that he’s “very, very sick” and “vomiting.”

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

The awkward interplay didn’t finish there, as Gwen later asks Sarah about how she, Matty, and Billy all help their boss, Olympia (Skye P. Marshall). Gwen asks, “May she make do with two individuals if considered one of you takes the beneficiant severance bundle being provided?”

Though Sarah tells her “that’s not going to occur,” as they’re “all very dedicated to Jacobson Moore and to Olympia,” it appears that evidently the present could be setting the stage for Billy to just accept a “severance bundle” to jot down him out of the present.

Regardless, the “job eradicated” joke didn’t sit nicely with some on-line, with many questioning whether or not it was “needed.”

Over on Leisure Weekly, followers engaged in a dialogue in regards to the actor’s firing and questioned how “needed” it was to maintain citing Billy’s position within the present after they may have merely written him out through the midseason finale.

“I don’t suppose these scenes have been needed,” one fan wrote. The remark acquired a number of thumbs-up in settlement.

“Why fireplace him earlier than the investigation was accomplished? One thing just isn’t including up right here,” one other person requested. One fan replied, “The producers work with these individuals, in order that they know them higher than us and clearly believed her over him.”