‘Matlock‘ Star Leah Lewis Speaks Out Following Co-Star David Del Río’s Termination After Assault Allegations
Leah Lewis, star of the rebooted CBS drama Matlock, has publicly addressed the recent firing of co-star David Del Río following allegations of sexual assault. Lewis, who plays first-year associate Sarah Franklin, shared a message on Instagram emphasizing resilience and strength in the wake of the incident.
The firing of Del Río, who portrayed Billy Martínez on the series, comes after an internal inquiry into an incident reported on September 26. Deadline confirmed Del Río was terminated and escorted off the set the same day the alleged assault was reported.The situation has prompted a production pause for Matlock Season 2, already partially filmed, with plans to resume after Thanksgiving.
Lewis’s post, accompanied by a photo, stated, “moving forward in strength. Key word, strength.” The message underscores a determination to continue despite the disruption and trauma caused by the alleged events.
Matlock Season 2 is scheduled to premiere on october 12. The show also stars Kathy Bates, skye P. Marshall, Jason Ritter, Eme Ikwuakor, Aaron Harris, Sam Anderson, Beau Bridges, and, newly joining the cast in a recurring role, Justina Machado. The investigation and subsequent firing of Del Río highlight the entertainment industry’s ongoing reckoning with issues of workplace safety and accountability. Production will continue following a pre-planned hiatus.
