Overview
- The midseason premiere features an HR scene that jokes about Billy Martinez’s absence with the line, “Job eliminated.”
- Del Rio was removed from the series in October following an investigation into an alleged incident involving co-star Leah Lewis.
- CBS reopened its inquiry after materials were submitted through Del Rio’s counsel and later confirmed it would stand by the original decision.
- Del Rio’s representatives say he provided text messages and witness names and contend the process lacked appropriate fairness, while neither he nor Lewis has commented publicly.
- Producers wrote Billy out rather than recast the role, with Del Rio’s final on-screen appearance airing December 4 and subsequent episodes acknowledging his off-screen absence.