Leah Lewis from "Matlock" returns to work after David Del Rio is fired over sexual assault accusation

Leah Lewis is thrilled to return to the set of Matlock. The 28-year-old actress, who plays first-year associate Sarah Franklin on the legal drama led by Kathy Bates, shared a cheerful photo on her Instagram stories from the set on Monday. She captioned it, "[Matlock] And we back up and running."

Lewis' happy post comes after a turbulent time in the show's short history, which included the firing of her frequent scene partner David Del Rio following a sexual assault allegation. In early October, Entertainment Weekly reported that Del Rio, who played Lewis co-associate Billy Martinez, was dismissed after production received a report of misconduct. CBS conducted an investigation into Del Rio's actions, leading to his termination.

The first season of this modern twist on the classic Andy Griffith series concluded in April. Production for the second season was underway when the allegation surfaced. Filming continued after Del Rio's exit, so he appears in several episodes of season two, which is currently airing on CBS and Paramount. However, his character will not appear in future episodes.

According to PEOPLE in October, Lewis was the alleged victim of Del Rios assault. While she has not publicly addressed the incident or his termination, she shared a response to his departure on Instagram. She posted a photo hugging her mother with the caption: "Mom is here, we're moving forward in love and strength. I'm in good hands. 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 takeaway."

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, you can contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or visit rainn.org.

Author: Sophia Brooks