Matlock’s Shock Cast Exit Leaves CBS An Impossible Choice For Season 2

Regardless of solely simply premiering, Matlock Season 2 is already dealing with an sudden however vital problem. Stunning developments and dangerous information come simply days earlier than the second season premiere of the hit present, as Matlock actor David Del Rio has reportedly been fired over sexual assault allegations. In fact, all these allegations stay allegations till confirmed in any other case, but when true, CBS and Matlock executives did the precise factor by performing shortly and decisively.

On condition that the findings of the inner investigation have been severe sufficient to have him faraway from the premises on the identical day the report was filed, CBS and Matlock executives had no selection however to fireside Mr. Del Rio. Both approach, this places Matlock Season 2 in a giant bind, and relying on the way it’s dealt with, it may have a damaging influence on future exhibits.

David Del Rio’s sudden mid-season departure leaves Matlock writers in turmoil

The issue is, David Del Rio wasn’t only a visitor star or supporting character on the present. Billy Martinez is likely one of the Junior Affiliate Trifecta, together with Sarah (Leah Lewis) and Matty (Kathy Bates), and is an integral a part of a number of storylines on the Jacobson Moore legislation agency.

The season 2 premiere of Matlock was filmed nicely earlier than the allegations towards Del Rio and his firing, making it much more troublesome to painting his character gracefully. Billy had a giant subplot the place he did not know if he was the daddy of his ex-girlfriend Claudia’s (Bela Wholey Ortiz) youngster. What additional sophisticated his scenario was that he did not wish to be a father and even mentioned he needed to “unsubscribe to this youngster.”

Nonetheless, by the top of the episode, it was confirmed that Billy was the daddy. He and Claudia resolve to attempt elevating their child once more, and this stunning revelation units the stage for Season 2’s massive story. With Del Rio’s firing, the complete plot line and all must be rewritten, and the writers must scramble to revise the script that was already within the bag and discover a approach to make it work with out Billy.

Matlock will repeat community tv’s worst habits by ignoring Billy

CBS confirmed to TV Insider that Billy has been faraway from the present, starting an uncomfortable transition for the second half of the season. The primary half of season 2 of Matlock was already totally filmed earlier than the allegations and investigation towards Del Rio arose. The present will take a deliberate hiatus from filming this week, with filming scheduled to renew for the second half of season 2 after Thanksgiving.

As such, Del Rio will seem within the first half of Season 2, and Billy’s new fatherhood story will certainly be a giant a part of the story all through. When the second half of Matlock Season 2 returns, it is very unusual to see Billy out of the blue disappear. Maybe his sudden and everlasting absence will likely be defined with a line explaining that he and Claudia have moved away or handed away.

If that is the trail Matlock Season 2 chooses (and all indications are will probably be), it should proceed an extremely irritating community TV pattern. It is all too frequent in community procedurals for main characters to be ejected or killed off, however the present merely explains away an necessary character’s absence with a one-line throwaway line and by no means talks about them once more.

Given the intense allegations towards Del Rio, it will positively be in dangerous style to make a giant deal out of Billy’s disappearance or to proceed to incorporate him in Matlock’s story. However from a personality and story standpoint, dismissing him primarily based on dialogue alone can be extraordinarily unsatisfying and would have been a messy ending for each the primary character and the story.

A greater choice can be to recast the function of Billy Martinez from Matlock

Nonetheless, there’s a third choice. It is about recasting the character of Billy Martinez. Season 2 of Matlock is at present on hiatus, however filming will not resume till after Thanksgiving, giving Matlock and CBS executives a month and a half to audition and change Del Rio with a brand new actor. It will not take lengthy, but it surely’s not inconceivable. Community TV exhibits typically finalize casting with little time earlier than filming begins. That is the character of community tv.

It is solely doable that Matlock season 2 will recast such a vital character. There are various actors who’re prepared and keen to work and may play the function of Billy Martinez. Doing so will make the present’s transition smoother in numerous methods.

Initially, it means writers do not need to scramble to rewrite already accomplished scripts or rehash main storylines that have been already deliberate for the season. It might even be far much less jarring for the viewers to have one other actor step into the function and proceed established character dynamics and storylines that will abruptly finish if Billy merely disappeared.

No matter what CBS decides, the community and Matlock executives are in an enviable place. They allegedly did the precise factor by eradicating Del Rio from the manufacturing, however they’re nonetheless in a good spot and do not have a lot time to determine it out. Every choice has its drawbacks, however at this level (admittedly with out understanding all of the info surrounding the scenario) recasting looks as if the wiser selection.