A former writer for the CBS drama "Matlock" has filed a lawsuit against the network and the show's producers, alleging a hostile work environment marked by racial discrimination and sexual harassment. The complaint, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, claims the plaintiff was subjected to offensive conduct and ultimately terminated after raising concerns about the workplace culture. The legal action comes as the series, a reboot of the beloved 1980s legal drama, has faced prior controversy.

Lawsuit Details and Allegations

John H. Lowe III, who worked as an executive story editor on the series from October 2023 until his termination in July 2025, filed the complaint on June 17. The lawsuit names CBS Television Studios, showrunner Jennie Snyder Urman, and executive producers Nicki Renna and Jeffrey Lieber as defendants . Lowe alleges the writers' room was "permeated by sexually explicit and discriminatory conduct" and that he faced a retaliatory firing after objecting to the behavior .

Alleged Juneteenth Incident and Racial Slurs

A central allegation in the lawsuit involves a comment made on June 19, 2025. Lowe claims that when he inquired if the production would observe the Juneteenth holiday, Urman responded by using a racially derogatory slur, referring to it as "Coonteenth" . The suit describes the term as having origins in the antebellum South and being used to demean Black individuals . Lowe states the comment shocked him and colleagues who were within earshot.

Additional Claims of Harassment and Discrimination

The complaint also details other alleged incidents. Lowe accuses the producers of making sexually charged remarks about his appearance and body, invoking racial stereotypes. He states that he was questioned about his dating life and subjected to comments regarding his shoe size and its supposed implication about his anatomy .

Beyond the comments directed at him, the lawsuit says that executive producer Renna made a racially and sexually derogatory statement about a Black cast member, Eme Ikwuakor. Renna allegedly stated the actor "can barely read" and made a sexually explicit comment about him . Lowe also claims Urman pressured him to care for her dog for nearly a year under the implication that his job depended on it. The complaint suggests the request was racially motivated, as Urman allegedly mentioned her children disliked the pet's black coloring .

CBS Response and Prior Controversy

CBS Studios issued a statement in response to the lawsuit. The company said it is "committed to maintaining a safe and respectful environment" and that a "thorough investigation was completed" into the allegations, but it was "unable to find support for his allegations" . The studio concluded by stating it looks forward to "vigorously defending this lawsuit" . The lawsuit comes after a previous incident on the "Matlock" set. In October 2025, series regular David Del Rio was fired following an investigation into a sexual assault allegation involving a co-star . Reports indicate he was escorted off the Paramount lot the same day the incident was reported. Del Rio has since entered arbitration with CBS over his termination .

Impact on the Series

"Matlock," starring Kathy Bates, has been a significant hit for CBS since its launch in September 2024. The show has already been renewed for a third season. The lawsuit introduces a new challenge for the production as it continues to navigate the aftermath of previous on-set issues. As the legal process moves forward, the allegations will likely draw continued attention to workplace culture within the entertainment industry.