'Matlock' Actress Leah Lewis Returns to Filming Following Sexual Assault Accusations Against Co-Star

Months ago, reports emerged that Davide Del Rio, known for his role in Matlock, faced sexual assault accusations from co-star Leah Lewis. Following the claims, Del Rio was quickly removed from the series.

Lewis confirmed that production has resumed, sharing on her Instagram story on Monday, Dec. 1, "@matlockcbs. And we back up and running." Her post included a smiling photo of her at a studio lot near a trailer, appearing in costume as her character, lawyer Sarah Franklin, for Season 2.

The alleged incident reportedly occurred in late September, and the production team became aware shortly after. Del Rio was formally removed from the Paramount lot on Oct. 2 once the report was officially filed. Subsequently, he was written out of future episodes.

After the news broke, Lewis shared a supportive message on Instagram, posting a photo with her mother and expressing gratitude for the encouragement she received, writing about moving forward with strength.

Drama unfolded when Del Rio's wife reportedly mimicked Lewis's Instagram posts, though they were later deleted. Reports also indicated that Del Rio engaged high-profile attorney Shawn Holley, known for representing Kim Kardashian and collaborating on the O.J. Simpson case.

With Del Rio no longer part of the series, Matlock has adjusted its storyline to reflect his absence. The show paused production through Thanksgiving following the incident. Season 2 of Matlock premiered on CBS on Oct. 12.

This article was originally published by Parade on Dec. 3, 2025.

Author: Sophia Brooks