Actress Leah Lewis Addresses "Matlock" Co-Star's Firing Amid Allegations

Actress Leah Lewis has publicly addressed the recent firing of her "Matlock" co-star, David Del Río, who was dismissed from the CBS legal drama following sexual assault allegations. Lewis, who plays Sarah Franklin in the series, shared a message of strength and gratitude on her Instagram Stories on Thursday, October 9, stating, "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. Please, let that be the takeaway." Her statement marks her first public comment since the news broke regarding the serious accusations.

The allegations against Del Río, who portrayed Billy Martinez in the show, prompted an immediate internal investigation by CBS Studios and the series' producers. The alleged incident involving Lewis reportedly occurred on September 26, leading to a formal report on October 2. Following the investigation, Del Río was promptly fired and escorted off the Paramount lot on the same day the report was filed, with executive producer Eric Christian Olsen reportedly among those present during his removal.

Del Río's abrupt departure has sent ripples through the production of "Matlock," which is currently filming its second season. Both Del Río and Lewis played first-year associates at the fictional law firm Jacobson Moore, often sharing significant screen time.

While the second season is set to premiere on October 12, the show will undergo a pre-planned hiatus after the first half of the season, resuming production after Thanksgiving. This break will allow writers to rework scripts and address Del Río's character being written out of future episodes.

The incident has drawn significant attention, highlighting the swift action taken by the network and producers in response to the serious allegations. Lewis's public statement, emphasizing resilience and support, underscores the personal impact of such events on those involved. The future trajectory of "Matlock" will now navigate the challenge of adjusting its narrative while maintaining its scheduled broadcast.

• The alleged sexual assault incident involving "Matlock" co-stars David Del Río and Leah Lewis reportedly took place on September 26, 2025. This timeline indicates a rapid sequence of events from the alleged incident to the formal report and subsequent firing of Del Río, emphasizing the immediate response from the production.
• A formal report of the alleged incident was filed on October 2, 2025, triggering an immediate internal investigation by CBS Studios and the show's producers. This swift action underscores the industry's commitment to addressing such serious allegations promptly and decisively.
• Following the internal investigation, David Del Río was fired from the CBS legal drama "Matlock" and escorted off the Paramount lot on October 2, the same day the report was made. Executive producer Eric Christian Olsen was reportedly involved in Del Río's removal, highlighting the high-level response to the situation.
• Leah Lewis, who plays Sarah Franklin, and David Del Río, who played Billy Martinez, were both series regulars on "Matlock" and often shared scenes as first-year associates at the Jacobson Moore law firm. Their close professional relationship on-screen adds a layer of complexity to the allegations and Del Río's subsequent firing.
• "Matlock" is currently filming its second season, which is scheduled to premiere on October 12. Despite Del Río's departure, the show will continue, with his character expected to be written out of future episodes. This necessitates script rewrites during a pre-planned hiatus that will occur after the first half of the season, with production resuming after Thanksgiving.
• Lewis's public statement, shared on Instagram Stories on October 9, expressed gratitude for support and emphasized moving forward with "strength." This message provides insight into her personal coping and resilience in the wake of the allegations and her co-star's firing.
• David Del Río's wife, actress Katherine Del Río, posted a brief and later deleted Instagram story with her mother, stating, "Mom is here. We're moving forward in love and strength after what Leah did to our family. Thank you all for the love and support!" This indicates a differing perspective on the events from Del Río's side.
• CBS Studios has declined to comment on the specifics of the allegations but has confirmed Del Río's departure from the series. This stance is typical in legal and sensitive personnel matters, maintaining privacy while acknowledging the change in cast.