Matlock discovered a approach to subtly throw shade at David Del Rio‘s exit as Billy after offscreen allegations of sexual assault.
The CBS present returned on Thursday, February 26, with Sarah (Leah Lewis) and Matty (Kathy Bates) assembly with HR consultant Gwen Easton (Sarah Wright-Olsen), who requested about Billy’s absence.
“Out sick. Very, very sick. Vomiting,” Sarah stated, to which Gwen joked, “Yay, so no want for him to return! Job eradicated. …. Kidding once more! It was good to fulfill you two.”
Gwen additionally floated the concept of one of many three folks working for Olympia (Skye P. Marshall) being on the chopping block. “Might she make do with two folks if one in all you takes the beneficiant severance package deal being provided?” she requested.
Matlock teased a shock paternity story line for Billy in season 2 earlier than David Del Rio was fired for allegedly sexually assaulting his costar Leah Lewis. The hit CBS sequence, which premiered in September 2024, follows a rich retired lawyer named Madeline Kingston (Kathy Bates) who pretends to be a poor widower named Matty Matlock (…)
Del Rio, 38, has been absent from the present since information broke in October 2025 about an alleged incident involving him and his then-costar Lewis, which occurred one month prior. Del Rio was “fired and escorted off the lot the identical day the alleged assault was reported,” based on experiences launched on the time.
Lewis, 29, broke her silence on the time by sharing a photograph along with her mom from set.
“Mother is right here, we’re transferring ahead in love and energy. I’m in good fingers,” she wrote through Instagram in October. “Thanks to all people for any type of help and care. Actually, we’re transferring ahead in energy. Key phrase, energy. Please, let that be the take away.”
David’s spouse, in the meantime, posted Instagram Tales calling Lewis a “disturbing human being” earlier than deleting them hours later.
Earlier than the scandal, Del Rio spoke to Us Weekly in Could 2025 about how the present could be committing to the paternity twist involving his character, Billy. “I’m actually excited to see how Billy handles the work stability with the non-public stability of all of it,” he shared earlier than the season 2 premiere. (His character was written off within the midseason finale when Billy discovered his girlfriend miscarried.)
Lewis additionally weighed in on what was awaiting Sarah in season 2 in the course of the joint interview.
“I bear in mind studying the finale and hoping on the finish that Sarah was going to get away scot free with this excellent victory. In fact the factor occurs with Simone and she or he may must take accountability,” Lewis hinted. “To be sincere, that is the place we actually get to see if Sarah can step as much as the plate for the factor that she has been begging for, asking for and dealing so exhausting for. You wish to get handled like a giant canine. We’ll begin appearing like a giant canine. I really feel like this season we’ll positively in all probability get to see her mature a bit extra on that facet. Her skilled win isn’t over but.”
Whereas David has but to handle his firing, Us confirmed in December 2025 that CBS reopened its investigation into the incident.
“David has offered proof, together with textual content messages between David and Leah and names of witnesses who’re prepared to speak,” a supply completely informed Us earlier this month. “In mild of the proof, the investigation was reopened.”
The insider claimed Del Rio “has proof and witnesses that he believes may disprove Leah’s allegation,” including, “David’s group believes he was fired with out applicable due course of or a correct investigation.”
The community’s supplemental investigation concluded earlier this month with CBS standing by their authentic choice to dismiss Del Rio from the present.
Matlock airs on CBS Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET.