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‘Matlock’ Boss on Making ‘Creative Changes’ to Write Out David Del Rio After Firing and Leaning Into ‘Joy’ in the Second Half of Season 2

December 12, 2025

Dec 11, 2025 7:01pm PT ‘Matlock’ Boss on Making ‘Creative Changes’ to Write Out David Del Rio After Firing and Leaning Into ‘Joy’ in the Second Half of Season 2 By Emily Longeretta Plus Icon Emily Longeretta emilylongeretta Latest ‘Matlock’ Boss on Making ‘Creative Changes’ to Write Out David Del Rio After Firing and Leaning Into ‘Joy’ in the Second Half of Season 2 9 minutes ago ‘Beast Games’ Season 2 Sets ‘Survivor’ Crossover With Jeff Probst: Watch the Trailer (EXCLUSIVE) 11 hours ago ‘Friday Night Lights’ Cast Sets 20th Anniversary Reunion at ATX TV Festival 11 hours ago See All Courtesy of Sonja Flemming/CBS “Matlock” is undergoing some changes. In early October, David Del Rio, who portrays associate Billy Martinez, was removed from the set and fired after a sexual assault allegation. Season 2 was already in production when the incident occurred, and Del Rio had already filmed seven episodes.

“Tricks of the Trade – Part One” and “Tricks of the Trade – Part Two” – When Sarah’s client is arrested after his business partner is found murdered, Billy attempts to help her handle the case while Matty and Olympia contend with a pressing confidential matter, on a special two-hour first season finale of the CBS Original Series MATLOCK, Thursday, April 17 (9:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and streaming on Paramount+ (live and on demand for Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscribers, or on demand for Paramount+ Essential subscribers the day after the episode airs)*. Pictured (L-R): Kathy Bates as “Madeline Matlock”, David Del Rio as “Billy Martinez”, Leah Lewis as “Sarah Franklin”, and Skye P. Marshall as “Olympia Lawrence”. . All Rights Reserved

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“Prior Bad Acts,” which aired on Dec.
4, marked his final appearance, showrunner Jennie Snyder Urman confirms to Variety.
Related Stories 'Frankenstein,' 'Warfare' and '28 Years Later: The Bone Temple' Case Studies to Feature at London Production Event Focus 'Nobody Wants This,' 'Shrinking,' 'The Pitt' Among Series Set for 2026 Edition of PaleyFest LA That episode ended with Billy telling his pregnant girlfriend, “I do want to get married,” an odd-sounding line that appeared to have been mashed together later.
While Snyder Urman didn’t confirm that was the case, she said, “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.” Popular on Variety During the Dec.

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‘Matlock’ Boss on Making ‘Creative Changes’ to Write Out David Del Rio After Firing and Leaning Into ‘Joy’ in the Second Half of Season 2

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‘Matlock’ Boss on Making ‘Creative Changes’ to Write Out David Del Rio After Firing and Leaning Into ‘Joy’ in the Second Half of Season 2

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