The Matlock season 2 fall finale wrote off David Del Rio‘s character, Billy, as CBS reopened their investigation into claims he allegedly sexually assaulted costar Leah Lewis.
During the Thursday, December 11, episode of the hit CBS series, Billy wasn’t seen on screen after taking the day off. Sarah (Lewis) was left to fly solo at Jacobson Moore even though she tried to contact Billy for support.
Sarah ultimately came clean to Olympia (Skye P. Marshall) about secretly spying on Julian (Jason Ritter) for Senior (Beau Bridges), which got her moved to another team. She finally got in touch with Billy, who told her his girlfriend had a miscarriage.
The reveal comes after Billy had a largely limited role in recent episodes. He was expected to be written off after news broke that Del Rio was fired following an investigation into sexual assault accusations.
Where Was David Del Rio's 'Matlock' Story Line Going Before Firing?
An alleged incident involving Del Rio, 38, and Lewis, 28, took place in late September, which was reported by the actress to CBS days later. Del Rio was “fired and escorted off the lot the same day the alleged assault was reported,” according to Deadline. Billy is expected to officially be written off in the second half of the season.
Del Rio has yet to address his firing, but Lewis broke her silence via social media in October. (One day before the fall finale, Us Weekly confirmed that CBS has reopened its investigation into the incident.)
“Mom is here, we’re moving forward in love and strength. I’m in good hands,” she wrote via Instagram at the time. “Thank you to everybody for any kind of support and care. Truly, we’re moving forward in strength. Key word, strength. Please, let that be the take away.”
Del Rio previously spoke to Us in May about the show committing to the paternity twist involving Billy and his ex. “I’m really excited to see how Billy handles the work balance with the personal balance of it all,” he shared before the season 2 premiere.
Lewis also weighed in on what was awaiting Sarah in season 2 during the joint interview.
'Matlock' Scandal Explained After David Del Rio's Exit Over Sexual Assault
“I remember reading the finale and hoping at the end that Sarah was going to get away scot free with this wonderful victory. Of course the thing happens with Simone and she might need to take accountability,” Lewis hinted. “To be honest, this is where we really get to see if Sarah can step up to the plate for the thing that she has been begging for, asking for and working so hard for. You want to get treated like a big dog. We’ll start acting like a big dog. I feel like this season we’ll definitely probably get to see her mature a bit more on that aspect. Her professional win is not over yet.”
Before the fall finale aired, Lewis — and the rest of the Matlock cast — returned back on set for the first time since Del Rio’s exit. Bridges, 83, recently spoke with Mario Lopez during an interview about the show’s plans to start filming the second part of Matlock season 2 before Christmas.
“I don’t want to give up too much. We’ve already done half of the second season, and we’re getting back at it in about a week to do the second half,” Bridges shared. “But I’ll just say that Senior always has a few tricks up his sleeve, which I’m happy that’s true.”
Matlock returns to CBS Thursday, February 26, at 9 p.m. ET.