CBS’ Matlock fired one of its series regulars after a sexual assault allegation.
David Del Rio, who plays lawyer Billy Martinez on the legal drama, was fired after an incident involving him and a female cast member on the show, sources confirm to The Hollywood Reporter. CBS Studios, which produces Matlockimmediately investigated the allegation. This led to Del Rio being fired from the show last week, after which he was escorted off the show’s set.
CBS Studios declined to comment on the matter.
Matlock was a smash hit for CBS in its first season, averaging 16 million cross-platform viewers over 35 days. The series, a meta update of the 1980s-90s series starring Andy Griffith, stars Kathy Bates as a lawyer who relaunches her career at a New York firm; Skye P. Marshall, Jason Ritter and Leah Lewis also star.
Jennie Snyder Urman created the series and executive produces with Joanna Klein, Eric Christian Olsen, Amanda Tudesco, Nicki Renna, Jeffrey Lieber, Kat Coiro and Bates.
The series was midway through filming its second season, which begins Sunday, when the allegation against Del Rio was made. Matlock is currently on a planned production hiatus and is expected to resume filming in November; Del Rio’s character will be written out in future episodes.
Deadline announced the news for the first time.
