Matlock first explained Billy Martinez’s absence by saying he was sick, then tied his time away to a personal loss. In the March 5, 2026 episode, the show made his departure from Jacobson Moore permanent: Billy had accepted a severance package and would not return. That fictional exit is separate from the reported firing of actor David Del Rio and the arbitration that followed.
How Matlock explained Billy’s absence
The show addressed Billy’s absence in stages rather than introducing one definitive explanation at the outset.
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- December 11, 2025: In the fall finale, Billy does not appear. Sarah contacts him and learns that Claudia, his pregnant girlfriend, has miscarried.
- February 2026: In the midseason premiere, an HR representative asks about Billy. Sarah says he is “Out sick. Very, very sick. Vomiting.” Matty adds that the team has him covered.
- March 5, 2026: Matty learns that Billy accepted a severance package and will not return to Jacobson Moore. Sarah initially presents the news as manageable, but then admits that Billy’s departure—and the quick arrival of a replacement—makes her feel the loss of her work family.
Together, these plot points turn a period of unexplained absence into a permanent character exit. The miscarriage explains part of Billy’s time away; the severance package establishes that he has left the firm.
What the showrunner said about the change
Showrunner and executive producer Jennie Snyder Urman said that Del Rio’s sudden departure required creative changes. In comments reproduced by TVLine, she said the team tried to make Billy’s exit fit the show’s world and the character, while accounting for the firm’s circumstances:
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“I’ll just say there were creative changes that we had to make, and we made them. We’re ending up in a different place than what our plans were, but we really stopped and tried to think about how we can have an exit that makes sense in the world of our show and for the character.”
That describes the production’s stated approach to writing the character out. It does not explain or establish the details of the real-world employment dispute.
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What was reported about David Del Rio’s departure
Del Rio played Billy Martinez. Reporting by TVLine and The Daily Beast said CBS Studios fired him after investigating an allegation involving co-star Leah Lewis. The reports describe it as an allegation; the sources cited here do not establish it as fact or provide official details of the incident.
In March 2026, The Daily Beast reported that Del Rio had initiated arbitration against CBS Studios. His attorney characterized the allegations as false and misleading and said the arbitration would present evidence. CBS declined to comment on legal matters and confirmed that Del Rio had departed the series. TVLine also reported that Del Rio’s representatives initiated arbitration and that CBS declined comment.
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The cited reporting does not establish an arbitration outcome. The fictional explanation for Billy’s exit should therefore be kept distinct from the reported firing and subsequent legal dispute.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Where to watch Matlock
CBS’s official press page identifies Paramount+ as a place to stream Matlock live and on demand. Availability and terms may vary by region and can change.
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