Matlock Star Breaks Silence & Takes Authorized Motion Towards CBS After Firing

Matlock star, David Del Rio, lastly breaks his silence concerning his firing as he information an arbitration towards CBS for “skilled and reputational” harm.

Del Rio was minimize from the solid of Matlock by CBS in October 2025 after the community investigated his co-star, Leah Lewis’ sexual assault claims towards him. Del Rio was promptly fired after CBS concluded their investigation, with the corporate doubling down by stating that it stood by its choice. The reported occasion allegedly occurred on September 26, 2025, inside her trailer.

Now, the actor, who had stayed silent till now, is combating again. He’s taking authorized motion towards CBS for his or her reportedly false claims towards him, explaining that it negatively impacted his profession. In an unique assertion to Leisure Weekly, the previous Matlock star’s lawyer, Shawn Holley, defined that the community fired her shopper with out stable proof. She added that that they had greater than sufficient proof to show Del Rio’s innocence and is assured that he would be capable to restore his picture.

Holley’s message is the primary time the actor or any of his representatives have spoken out concerning the incident since his firing. Try the complete assertion beneath:

David Del Rio has initiated arbitration towards CBS Studios to deal with false and deceptive allegations that brought on substantial skilled and reputational hurt. [Del Rio will] current real-time textual content communications and proof that straight contradicts prior public characterizations of the interplay at situation. This proof was not absolutely thought of earlier than adversarial employment motion was taken. Mr. Del Rio appears ahead to resolving this matter by the suitable authorized discussion board and has religion {that a} full evidentiary evaluate will set up the reality and restore his skilled fame.

CBS’ 2024 reboot of Matlock options Kathy Bates as Madeline “Matty” Matlock, who comes out of retirement to work at a distinguished regulation agency, Jacobson Moore. Nevertheless, she has ulterior motives for rejoining the workforce. She is attempting to uncover the reality behind her daughter’s dying. The collection was renewed for a 3rd season on January 22, 2026.

Del Rio portrays Billy Martinez, a junior affiliate at Jacobson Moore. He appeared in Matlock season 1 and the primary a part of season 2 earlier than he obtained fired. As a substitute of recasting his character, CBS simply wrote him out of the present altogether.

Matlock seasons 1 and a pair of could be streamed on Paramount+. There isn’t a confirmed launch date for season 3 on the time of this text’s publication.