Key Takeaways
- Actor David Del Rio, who plays Billy, was fired from the CBS series Matlock following allegations of sexual assault.
- CBS has confirmed that his character will be officially written out of the show after the Season 2 midseason finale.
- Fans on social media have been actively debating how the show’s writers will handle the character’s sudden departure.
- Theories range from a family-related move to being replaced by another character at the law firm.
Following the dismissal of actor David Del Rio from the CBS hit Matlock amid serious allegations, the show’s producers have confirmed his character, Billy, will be written out. The departure is slated to occur after the Season 2 midseason finale, leaving fans to speculate on how the series will navigate this unexpected storyline shift.
Del Rio’s exit has sparked numerous discussions online, particularly on Reddit, where viewers are piecing together clues from the current season to predict Billy’s fate. Here are some of the most prominent fan theories.
A New Job and a Family Move
The most popular and seemingly plausible theory revolves around Billy’s primary Season 2 storyline: his partner Claudia’s pregnancy. Many fans believe the simplest explanation is for Billy and Claudia to move away to be closer to their families ahead of the baby’s birth.
This would allow Billy to accept a new job with better hours, providing a clean and understandable exit that aligns with his character’s current motivations. Viewers note that the show has already established Billy looking for a larger apartment, setting the stage for a significant life change.
Julian Steps In to Replace Billy
Another compelling theory suggests that Julian (played by Jason Ritter) could replace Billy at the firm. Julian was recently demoted, and some fans think bringing him onto Olympia’s (Skye P. Marshall) team would serve multiple narrative purposes.
This move could place him directly in the middle of Matty (Kathy Bates) and Olympia’s ongoing efforts to expose his father, Senior (Beau Bridges). It would create new dramatic tension and conveniently fill the vacancy left by Billy’s departure.
Was an Exit Already Being Planned?
Some viewers have suggested that Billy’s exit may have already been in the works, even before Del Rio’s firing. They point to the pregnancy storyline, which some felt was an abrupt addition to the season’s main plot.
“Even before I saw the news, it seemed like they were heading in that direction with the baby arc,” one fan commented on Reddit. This theory suggests the real-world events may have simply accelerated a pre-existing plan to phase out the character.
Paternity Leave and a Quiet Departure
A final, simpler theory is that Billy will go on paternity leave and just not return. While this is a straightforward option, others have pointed out that Claudia is not far enough along in her pregnancy for this to be a seamless explanation during the midseason break. Regardless of the method, viewers are eagerly waiting to see how Matlock handles the delicate situation when the show returns.
Image Referance: https://www.tvinsider.com/1227669/how-will-matlock-write-out-billy-david-del-rio/