CBS’ Matlock has fired one of its series regulars after an allegation of sexual assault.
David Del Rio, who plays attorney Billy Martinez on the legal drama, was let go after an incident involving him and a female member of the show’s cast, sources confirm to The Hollywood Reporter. CBS Studios, which produces Matlock, investigated the allegation right away. It resulted in Del Rio being let go from the show last week, at which point he was escorted off the show’s set.
CBS Studios declined comment on the matter.
Matlock was a breakout 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 show featuring Andy Griffith, stars Kathy Bates as a lawyer who restarts 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 show was midway through filming its second season, which premieres Sunday, when the allegation against Del Rio was made. Matlock is currently on a pre-planned production hiatus and is set to resume fliming in November; Del Rio’s character will be written out of future episodes.
Deadline first reported the news.
