David Del Rio played Billy Martinez on CBS’s Matlock, but the Los Angeles Times reported that CBS Studios fired the actor in October 2025 after investigating an allegation involving a fellow cast member. The Times said Billy would be written out of future episodes. In March 2026, The Daily Beast reported that Del Rio filed an arbitration claim against the studio; its account did not give an outcome.
Who David Del Rio plays on Matlock
CBS describes Matlock as a 2024 drama and lists two seasons. Its official series synopsis centers on Kathy Bates as Madeline “Matty” Matlock, who returns to work at a prestigious law firm and works alongside Olympia and younger associates, including Sarah, played by Leah Lewis. CBS’s series page provides that show context.
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Matlock: The Complete Series | $69.00 | Buy on Amazon |
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![Matlock (2024): Season One [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31exKpFr2ML._SL160_.jpg)
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Matlock (2024): Season One [DVD] | $28.45 | Buy on Amazon |
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MATLOCK: Complete Seasons 1-4 TV Series (1 2 3 4) Andy Griffith | $23.80 | Buy on Amazon |
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Matlock: The Complete Series | $62.44 | Buy on Amazon |
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Matlock (Seasons 1-4) | $17.74 | Buy on Amazon |
The official episode listing showed Season 2 episodes through April 23, 2026 and labeled the series “NOW STREAMING” when accessed. That listing establishes the show’s published episode information at that time, not the current availability of any particular episode.
Why David Del Rio was reported to be leaving
In a report published October 9, 2025, and updated October 10, the Los Angeles Times said CBS Studios fired Del Rio after investigating an allegation of sexual assault involving a woman in the cast. The Times identified Del Rio as the actor who played Billy Martinez and reported that the character would be written out of future episodes. CBS Studios declined to comment to the Times.
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- Genre: TV Crime
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The reported conduct remains an allegation in the cited coverage. The Times report does not describe a criminal charge or a legal finding, so the allegation should not be treated as an adjudicated fact.
What the arbitration report says—and does not say
On March 5, 2026, The Daily Beast reported that Del Rio filed an arbitration claim against CBS Studios, under a contract requiring private arbitration. The report attributes the following positions to the parties:
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- Del Rio’s attorney, Shawn Holley, said her client would present real-time text communications and other evidence that she said contradicted prior public characterizations. She also said the evidence had not been fully considered before the employment action.
- A CBS Studios spokesperson said the studio was declining comment on legal matters and confirmed that Del Rio had departed the series.
Those are attributed claims and responses, not a resolution of the underlying allegation. The Daily Beast report does not state the result of the arbitration.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What viewers can take from the reports
The reported departure has two distinct parts: CBS Studios’ employment decision and the plan, reported by the Times, to write Billy Martinez out of future episodes. Del Rio’s subsequent arbitration claim concerns the dispute with the studio; the cited reports do not establish how that process concluded or what later episodes ultimately did with the character.
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