David Del Rio has been dismissed from the Paramount series Matlock following allegations of sexual assault. The 38-year-old actor was reportedly removed from the set in Los Angeles on October 8 while filming the show’s second season. Matlock’s executive producer, Eric Christian Olsen, was part of the team that escorted him off the premises.
According to sources, David was fired from the project after the production company learned of allegations involving him sexually assaulting his co-star Leah Lewis on September 26. CBS is conducting an investigation into the matter, and filming has continued post the actor’s termination.
The Mirror US has attempted to contact a representative for David for a statement. The incident occurred just before the show’s scheduled break, set to resume production after Thanksgiving. The show’s writers are now devising a plan to write off David’s character from the series.
Matlock is a modernized version of the 1986 show starring Andy Griffith, Nancy Stafford, and Julie Sommars. The series stars Kathy Bates as Madeline Matlock, a skilled lawyer with undisclosed motives.
David portrays Billy Martinez, a new associate at Jacobson Moore, on the show, while Leah plays Sarah Franklin, another lawyer frequently seen alongside his character. In an interview, David expressed admiration for his co-stars, particularly praising Kathy Bates and mentioning his role in supporting Leah’s casting.
Having debuted in Hollywood in 2009 with The Troop, David has appeared in various successful projects such as Pitch Project, Road Head, and The Bake and the Beauty. Married to actress Katherine Del Rio since April 2018, they reside in Texas with their two children.
The second season of Matlock premieres on October 12.