CBS’s hit drama Matlock is facing turmoil following the firing of actor David Del Rio amid a shocking on-set allegation of an Assault on Matlock. The network’s swift response to the alleged “Assault on Matlock” has sent ripples through Hollywood, raising questions about how studios handle misconduct claims post–#MeToo.

According to Deadline, the alleged assault occurred on September 26, 2025, on the Matlock set and involved co-star Leah Lewis. The incident was immediately reported and investigated by the studio, leading to Del Rio’s termination on October 2. He was reportedly escorted off set.

Investigation of Allegations of Assault on Matlock

While details remain unconfirmed, the internal investigation was described as “swift and decisive,” a rare move in the entertainment industry. CBS has not yet issued an official public statement, and both Del Rio and Lewis have declined to comment directly.

However, Lewis addressed the situation briefly in a now-deleted Instagram Story, 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.”

Her message was widely circulated before being deleted.

Who Is David Del Rio?

David Del Rio is best known for his roles in Pitch Perfect, Grease Live!, and ABC’s The Baker and the Beauty. On Matlock, he portrayed Billy Martinez, a young lawyer who works alongside Madeleine Matlock (played by Kathy Bates) and Sarah Franklin (played by Leah Lewis).

His sudden firing has left fans speculating how the show will retool its second season without one of its central cast members.

Social Media Fallout

Following news of the firing, Del Rio’s wife, Katherine Del Rio, appeared to respond on Instagram with a pointed message allegedly aimed at Lewis. Her post read:

“This is the most disturbing human I have ever met.”

That post, along with Lewis’s statement, has since been deleted. Katherine later posted a mirrored message referencing her mother, echoing Leah’s earlier tone but claiming that Leah had “hurt their family.”

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Impact on Matlock Season 2

Despite the scandal, Matlock Season 2 is still slated to premiere on Sunday, October 12, before moving to its regular Thursday time slot. The first episodes will likely still feature Del Rio, but producers are expected to rewrite the remaining scripts during the midseason hiatus to phase out his character.

Production is reportedly continuing after a planned Thanksgiving break, with the writers’ room reworking Del Rio’s exit storyline.

Why the Firing Matters

The “Assault on Matlock” controversy stands out as one of the few times a major network has taken immediate action against a series regular following an on-set sexual assault allegation.

CBS, in particular, has faced scrutiny over its handling of misconduct cases in the past. In 2018, former CEO Les Moonves resigned following multiple sexual harassment allegations.

 That same year, Buffy the Vampire Slayer star Eliza Dushku received a $9.8 million settlement after alleging she was fired from Bull for confronting lead actor Michael Weatherly about inappropriate remarks.

Weatherly publicly apologized at the time, acknowledging that his jokes were “not funny and not appropriate.”

The quick termination of Del Rio could mark a shift in how CBS handles such issues—prioritizing accountability over protecting talent.

Read more on MSN about the firing and its implications for Matlock Season 2.

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