"Ending up in a different place": Matlock showrunner explains creative shift in Season 2 following David Del Rio's exit

Matlock Season 2 wrapped up its first half with an exciting finale as Olympia makes a choice between her family and justice. Meanwhile, Julian finally connects the dots about the pair working together. Apart from the story, which is building toward a major turning point with a potential explosion ahead, the mid-season finale also set up David Del Rio's exit from the cast.

In a recent conversation with Variety, showrunner Jennie Snyder Urman revealed that the second season changed its direction after the allegations against Del Rio and his firing. Despite the creative changes in the narrative, she added that they're ensuring everything is incorporated in a manner that aligns with the world and its characters.

Keep reading to find out more about Matlock Season 2.

Matlock Season 2 mid-finale sets up the groundwork for David Del Rio's exit from the show

It was revealed back in October that the actor David Del Rio, who played Billy on the American legal drama series, had exited Matlock Season 2 owing to the assault allegations against him. CBS confirmed that Del Rio's character would be written off the show, and the mid-season finale is setting up the stage for it.

Showrunner Jennie Snyder Urman revealed that Del Rio had already filmed seven episodes, the last of which aired on December 4, and that it was his final appearance on the show. The episode found his character, Billy, telling his pregnant girlfriend that he wanted to marry her.

However, the mid-season finale found Sarah revealing that he's taking a personal day from work and later learning that his pregnant girlfriend had suffered a miscarriage. Per Urman, Del Rio's Billy's exit will be explained over the course of the next few episodes, but they will be off-screen.

Snyder Urman, without discussing the events around Del Rio's exit, did accept that they had to make changes to their narrative to sculpt it around the development. She went on to add that they tried to create an exit that would align with Matlock Season 2 as well as with the character:

"I’ll just say there were creative changes that we had to make, and we made them. We’re ending up in a different place than what our plans were, but we really stopped and tried to think about how we can have an exit that makes sense in the world of our show and for the character."

She also went on to add about the overall environment of Matlock Season 2 behind the scenes and how everything is playing out after Del Rio's exit:

"We just sort of plugged in and kept moving forward. We’re just all happy to be back, and focused on the work. I think that’s the thing — we want the show to be great. We want it to be joyful for the audience to watch."

Nevertheless, the show must go on, and that is what Matlock does. Matty and Olympia are back on the same side again, and Julian is finally caught up as the firm moves ahead with the merger. The narrative trajectory remains uncertain heading into next year's return.

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