The controversy around Matlock actor David Del Rio has entered the public eye. His wife, actress Katherine Del Rio, has issued pointed criticisms of co-star Leah Lewis. This comes in the wake of an alleged sexual assault claim, amplifying tensions in an already volatile scenario.
When reports surfaced about Del Rio’s dismissal from the CBS legal drama following an investigation, the spotlight centered on the alleged incident between Del Rio and Lewis. Katherine’s social media posts have changed the narrative by bringing family dynamics and online backlash into play.
After Del Rio’s firing, Lewis posted a restrained message on Instagram Stories: an image with her mother, captioned, “Mom is here, we’re moving forward in love and strength. I’m in good hands. Thank you for any kind of support and care.”
In response to Del Rio’s firing and Lewis’s social media post, Katherine Del Rio reportedly posted and then deleted Instagram Stories attacking Lewis. One post displayed a zoomed-in photo of Lewis with the caption, “This is the most disturbing human being I have ever met.” Hours later, she allegedly shared a second image mimicking Lewis’s initial message — captioned: “Mom is here. We’re moving forward in love and strength after what Leah did to our family. Thank you all for the love and support!” These posts appeared on social media after Del Rio’s dismissal.
CBS Studios has not commented on the social media exchange, focusing instead on confirming Del Rio’s removal following its internal probe. Del Rio has not publicly addressed the allegations or his wife’s posts.
The original claim centers on an alleged event on Sept. 26, reportedly in Lewis’s trailer. It was formally reported to producers on Oct. 2. Within hours, sources say Del Rio was escorted off set and his contract was terminated. Variety reports that Lewis “affirmatively confirmed” involvement. Earlier versions of the story withheld her name, in line with standard practice for assault allegations.
At the time of his dismissal, Matlock was midway through filming Season 2. About half the season had been completed. Production was set to pause next week and then resume after Thanksgiving. Del Rio played Billy Martinez, a first-year associate at the Jacobson Moore law firm. His character will now be written out of upcoming episodes. Some finished episodes will still air, including the Season 2 premiere on Oct. 12.
Before this rupture, Matlock’s creative team had planned a larger role for Del Rio’s character. Showrunner Jennie Snyder Urman had suggested that Billy and Lewis’s character, Sarah Franklin, would develop deeper emotional complexity. “Unexpectedly started to really feel that toward each other, too,” she told Entertainment Weekly. That storyline now faces collapse amid behind-the-scenes upheaval.
Beyond the narrative disruption, Katherine’s online posts bring new risks. These include threats to cast relationships, legal strategies, and public perception. Her direct attack on Lewis raises questions about the limits of spousal defense in public, especially while the allegations remain unresolved. The deleted status of her posts suggests she recognized the potential fallout. However, the content is now part of the public record.
Lewis has maintained composure and brevity. Her Instagram emphasized gratitude, resilience, and strength: “Let that be the takeaway,” she wrote. In contrast, Del Rio’s silence makes Katherine’s posts appear as default statements for him.
For Matlock, the effects go beyond casting and script adjustments. The show previously tackled sexual assault in Season 1, when Matty handled a lawyer’s claim against her boss. Now, real-life allegations shadow the production. Audiences are likely to watch not just the cases on screen, but also accountability off-screen.
As Matlock returns Oct. 12, producers face a delicate balance. They must keep the narrative moving while respecting due process and the dignity of all involved. How they handle Katherine Del Rio’s posts—through public statements, mediation, or silence—will be closely watched.
This escalation shows the shifting standards in entertainment. Fast communication and public scrutiny make a spouse’s social media part of the story. What began as an allegation against one actor has now become a public defense, personal loyalty, and risks to the entire production.
