John Lowe, a former writer on “Matlock,” filed a lawsuit against CBS Television Studios, showrunner Jennie Snyder Urman and executive producers Nicki Renna and Jeffrey Lieber on Wednesday. He alleged that “racially stereotyped comments about his body and genitalia” were made toward him and other Black cast and crew members, creating a “hostile work environment.”
Lowe, who worked on “Matlock” from October 2023 to July 2025, claims he was terminated from his position as a form of retaliation, as it came two weeks after reporting an alleged incident in which Urman referred to Juneteenth as “Coonteenth.”
In the lawsuit, Lowe lists multiple sexual and racially charged comments. He also details an alleged incident when Urman brought in her dog to the writers’ room, “citing that her children ‘didn’t like the aesthetic’ — referring to the dog’s black color.” Lowe claims he was coerced into taking the dog for nearly a year, while other staff were present, a move he feels “was racially motivated and designed to single him out for humiliation based on his race, not for any creative or production reason.”
In a statement, CBS Studios said it had investigated the allegations and found they were not substantiated.
“We are committed to maintaining a safe and respectful environment for everyone and take all workplace complaints seriously,” a company spokesperson said. “In this instance, a thorough investigation was completed, and we were unable to find support for his allegations. We look forward to vigorously defending this lawsuit.”
The complaint also includes allegations against executive producer Renna; Lowe claims that Renna said Black cast member Eme Ikwuakor “can barely read.” In another instance, Renna allegedly called Lowe late at night and said she “was in bed wearing only her underwear.”
“There is no excuse for this blatant racism and harassment. CBS should be ashamed for allowing it, and the Matlock showrunner and producers should be held accountable,” said Lowe’s attorney Ron Zambrano in a statement. “Mr. Lowe was subjected to degrading and unlawful conduct. He deserved to be treated with dignity and respect, as everyone should expect in the workplace, not subjected to these outrageous and illegal racial slurs and sexual harassment without any connection to his work on the show.”
The lawsuit comes three months after actor David Del Rio filed an arbitration claim against CBS Studios over his firing last fall. Del Rio, who was a series regular, was written off the show after an allegation of sexual assault against the actor.
