David Del Rio’s character Billy was a major player in the Matlock season 2 premiere courtesy of a paternity scare story line that aired days after he was fired for allegedly sexually assaulting costar Leah Lewis.
During the Sunday, October 12, episode of the hit CBS series, Billy was trying to come to terms with his ex Claudia’s (Bella Wholey Ortiz) shocking pregnancy, telling Sarah (Lewis), “She’s not sure yet. Which means I am just waiting to see which way my life goes.”
Billy admitted to Matty (Kathy Bates) and Olympia (Skye P. Marshall) that he would support “whatever Claudia” decided to do — but he had concerns.
“I guess I feel like Claudia broke my heart. Then I got over her,” he noted. “Sure, I was responding to her booty calls but she was on the pill so how did this happen when all I want to do is go out on hot dates with other people?”
‘Matlock’ Scandal Explained After David Del Rio’s Exit Over Sexual Assault
While considering the possibility of a baby, Billy said he did “not want to be a father,” adding, “I want to unsubscribe from this baby.” The premiere ultimately ended with Billy meeting Claudia in an offscreen scene where they made a decision about the pregnancy and their shared future.
“We chose the third option,” Billy shared. “We are having the baby and getting back together.”
After the season 1 finale aired in April, showrunner Jennie Snyder Urman discussed whether Claudia’s pregnancy meant Billy would go back to pleasing other people over himself, telling Us Weekly exclusively, “You’re asking the questions that we ask in the writers’ room. But I can’t give it away because it’s all in the season 2 premiere.”
Del Rio, 38, spoke to Us in May about committing to the paternity twist. “I’m really excited to see how Billy handles the work balance with the personal balance of it all,” he shared.
Lewis, 28, also weighed in on what was awaiting Sarah in season 2 during the joint interview.
“I remember reading the finale and hoping at the end that Sarah was going to get away scot free with this wonderful victory. Of course the thing happens with Simone and she might need to take accountability,” Lewis hinted. “To be honest, this is where we really get to see if Sarah can step up to the plate for the thing that she has been begging for, asking for and working so hard for. You want to get treated like a big dog. We’ll start acting like a big dog. I feel like this season we’ll definitely probably get to see her mature a bit more on that aspect. Her professional win is not over yet.”
Where Was David Del Rio’s ‘Matlock’ Story Line Going Before Firing?
Shortly before the season 2 premiere on Sunday, news broke that Del Rio was fired following an investigation into sexual assault accusations.
An alleged incident involving Del Rio and Lewis took place in late September, which was reported by the actress to CBS days later. Del Rio was “fired and escorted off the lot the same day the alleged assault was reported,” according to Deadline. Billy is expected to be written off in the second half of the season.
Del Rio has yet to address his firing, but Lewis broke her silence via social media on Thursday, October 9.
“Mom is here, we’re moving forward in love and strength. I’m in good hands,” she wrote via Instagram at the time. “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 take away.”
Matlock airs on CBS Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET.
