David Del Rio and Leah Lewis’ Matlock characters, Billy and Sarah, were a fan favorite duo on the CBS series before Del Rio was fired for allegedly sexually assaulting Lewis during the filming of season 2.

Us Weekly confirmed in October 2025that Del Rio was no longer part of the Matlock cast after being accused of misconduct by Lewis. Del Rio was reportedly involved in an incident with Lewis in late September that was brought to the attention of CBS. The network conducted an internal investigation after which Del Rio was “fired and escorted off the lot,” according to Deadline.

Us Weekly reached out to CBS, Del Rio and Lewis for comment at the time.

Matlock’s David Del Rio Fired After Leah Lewis Sexual Assault Allegations

Prior to the scandal, Del Rio and Lewis spoke highly about one another on several occasions, especially since their characters — first-year associates at Jacobson Moore law firm — had such a strong bond.

Scroll down to see what the actors said about working together:

Comedy Guru

“David Del Rio, who plays Billy, who plays kind of, like, my counterpart, I’ve learned so much about comedy from him,” Lewis exclusively told Us in September 2024. “He comes from a theater background, so it’s like we’re always dancing and twinkling around set.”

The Nancy Drew alum noted that Del Rio has “one of the largest personalities and skill sets that I’ve ever been able to work with. So, it’s been playtime.”

Lewis noted that overall she’s been in awe of all her castmates. “I think the way that people carry themselves on set — any show that I’m on, I really love to watch that because everyone’s so different,” she added. “But it’s been nothing short of incredible.”

Leah Lewis Breaks Silence on David Del Rio's 'Matlock' Firing

Leah Had His Vote

When asked how Matlock “came across his desk” by Hello! in December 2024, Del Rio recalled, “It was an audition appointment — and then I saw Kathy [Bates]’ name on the attachments. Maybe two weeks later the team at Sutton Street Productions wanted to meet me, and in the second audition, they guided me into where Billy is and that changed my representation of him.” (Bates plays the lead character, Madeline “Matty” Matlock, who lies her way into becoming part of the law firm.)

Del Rio said after that it was a “really quick turnaround” and he was asked to come in to read “for different Sarah’s and Leah Lewis got the role.” The actor revealed, “That was my choice, by the way, I voted for her.”

Grateful for More Scenes

Del Rio explained to The Wrap in December 2024 that creator Jennie Snyder Urman wanted Billy and Sarah to really lean on each other the second half of season 1, which was something he was happy to make happen on screen.

“I hadn’t seen her for weeks, because she’s writing and writing … she comes down and she says one thing, ‘Oh, just remember the arc right now is that they’re actually becoming closer,’” Del Rio recalled of Urman’s guidance at the time, referring to Billy and Sarah’s friendship. “It was that one sentence and Leah and I [looked] at each other and we’re like, ‘Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.’”

Billy ended up turning to Sarah for support after his girlfriend, Claudia (Bella Ortiz), turned down his proposal during season 1, episode 8.

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Ready for the Next Chapter

During the season 1 finale, Billy learned that his almost-fiancée is pregnant. Both Del Rio and Lewis revealed in June 2025 that they were excited about the story line ahead of season 2.

“This will be the first character I’ve ever played that has to deal with fatherhood,” Del Rio told TVLine at the time. “And to be in an environment such as the law game is going to be a real nice ‘two thunderstorms colliding.’ As an actor, you want your circumstances to be delicious.”

Lewis laughed during the joint interview teasing, “You’re going to love Billy as the father … if he becomes the father.”