News recently broke that Matlock’s David Del Rio has been fired because of allegations of sexual assault.
Sadly, this is far from the first time this type of scandal has happened on a hit show.
How the series will write out Del Rio is obviously not as important as whether the alleged victim is safe and relatively okay. However, these events leave Matlock with the task of writing out a popular character, so we can’t help speculating on how they will do so.
Will Matlock Write Out Del Rio’s Billy Martinez Abruptly?
According to news reports, Del Rio was let go after half of Matlock Season 2 was already filmed.
The decision to fire him was likely not as abrupt as it seems.
According to Variety, an internal investigation suggests that the producers and HR department were likely aware they might lose a cast member.
Since the producers knew this could be coming, Matlock might wrap up Billy’s storyline throughout the first half of the season in preparation for the character’s departure.
This would be ideal, as it would avoid the problem of Billy disappearing suddenly, with his exit explained in dialogue.
Additionally, this would suggest a work environment in which the safety of employees and allegations related to sexual assault were taken seriously, which is important in an industry that doesn’t always do so.
Matlock Likely Will Want to Be Careful How They Address the Issue On-Screen
Billy’s Matlock Season 1 cliffhanger was about finding out his ex-girlfriend was pregnant after deciding to move on from her.
Given this big story and the development that the actor was accused of sexual assault, it’s tempting to wish that Matlock would offer an on-screen story about Billy facing a similar accusation, but this likely would get the series into legal trouble.
I’m not a lawyer, but I do know that everyone enjoys the right to presumption of innocence after being accused of a crime, so Matlock can’t suggest that Del Rio is guilty by writing on-the-nose stories like that.
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However, one of the things I love about Matlock is how strongly it often speaks out against the mistreatment of women in the workplace.
Removing Del Rio over these allegations is a strong step toward showing that these are production values, too.
There Are Possible Arcs that Can Lead to a Serviceable Exit for the Character
As for what they can do on air, I’m sure there will be a case or two involving sexual harassment or assault this season, though it probably won’t involve Billy.
My intuition is that whether he’s given a full exit or an after-the-fact explanation, Billy will take a leave of absence to prepare for fatherhood or support Claudia during a high-risk pregnancy.
He could also decide he can’t work for Jacobson Moore anymore and walk away or take another job elsewhere, but these endings don’t seem as logical, considering he has a baby on the way.
Matlock is in a tough spot because Billy was a popular character, despite the actor playing him being let go. Thus, he needs to have an exit that will be satisfying for the fans and meet the story’s needs, even though it’s disturbing that the actor allegedly sexually assaulted a co-worker.
The exit should also leave the door open in case Matlock decides to recast Billy, plus it would wrap up his storyline appropriately so that nothing’s left hanging.
Whatever happens probably won’t occur until midseason, since about half the season had already been filmed when Del Rio was let go, though again, it’s possible the actor was suspended before his firing while an investigation was underway.
How Will You Feel About Billy Being On-Screen for Part of the Season After Learning About These Allegations?
Will you be eager for him to be written out, or will you separate art and artist to enjoy his last few appearances on Matlock?
Hit the comments with your thoughts, and don’t forget to share this article with your friends so they can join in the conversation.
If you enjoy Matlock, you might also like our coverage of CBS mystery series such as Elsbeth and Watson. And if you missed it, be sure to check out our list of other favorite Kathy Bates roles.
Matlock Season 2 will air on CBS on Thursdays at 9/8c, though the season premiere will air on Sunday, October 12.
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The news that Matlock’s David Del Rio was fired after being accused of sexual assault is shocking and disturbing. It also means Billy will have to be written out somehow.
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