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[Warning: The following contains discussion of sexual assault.]<\/strong><\/p>\n David Del Rio was fired from\u00a0Matlock<\/em><\/a> days before the Season 2 premiere after an alleged sexual assault and subsequent internal investigation from CBS Studios. The assault involved his costar, Leah Lewis<\/a>, who plays Sarah Franklin. Del Rio played Billy Martinez, and he shared most of his scenes with Lewis. CBS<\/a> confirmed to TV Insider that Del Rio\u2019s Billy will be written off the show after its pre-planned hiatus from October to November, but fans on Reddit are discussing whether Billy should be recast instead.<\/p>\n Matlock<\/em> Season 2 debuted on Sunday, October 12, and featured an update on Billy\u2019s paternity story involving ex-girlfriend Claudia. Season 2 Episode 2 airs on Thursday, October 16, at Matlock<\/em>\u2018s regular time, 9\/8c. Del Rio will continue to be seen throughout Season 2\u2019s first half, and then Billy will be gone when the show returns midseason. There are no details about how Billy will be written off at this time.<\/p>\n A fan started a\u00a0Matlock<\/em> Reddit thread<\/a> following the news of Del Rio\u2019s firing to discuss recasting Billy.<\/p>\n \u201cI know some people hate recasts, so the shows rarely do it, but I\u2019d much rather recast a character (especially one that the OG actor wasn\u2019t that formidable) than have the writers change their planned story and potentially mess things up\/jump the shark, and ruin the show,\u201d the viewer wrote. \u201cRecast Billy and move on with the story as planned!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI agree, since it\u2019s just the beginning of [Season] 2, it would be much easier for continuity,\u201d a reply said. \u201cRecasting Billy would solve that, and not a new character.\u201d<\/p>\n One fan pointed out that Del Rio is in more than just the beginning of Season 2 in their reply. \u201cHe\u2019s in half the season. Just pointing out; not saying they can\u2019t recast,\u201d the comment said. A couple of responses noted that recastings are relatively common, and they\u2019ve happened with bigger TV characters. One recast noted in this chain was Aunt Viv\u2019s in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cI [would] rather they recast [than] make up some freaking stupid excuse like he died, he moved, etc.\u201d a fan replied. As the fan who noted that Del Rio\u2019s in half of this season responded, \u201cI\u2019ve watched TV since the \u201980s. I\u2019m aware they can<\/em> recast\u2026 he\u2019s just not exactly pivotal like a Becky Conner. He gets a new job or quits, moves, whatever, and you hire a new first-year and open up [a] new creative direction. Not saying it\u2019s the only choice\u2026 just most likely.\u201d<\/p>\n One reply to the original post explained why they think Billy is a key piece of\u00a0Matlock<\/em>\u2018s DNA.<\/p>\n