Former “Matlock” Writer Sues CBS Alleging Hostile Work Environment of 'Sexually Explicit and Discriminatory Conduct'

Deirdre DurkanWed, June 17, 2026 at 9:11 PM UTC

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Kathy Bates, Jason Ritter, and Julian Markston on 'Matlock'Credit: Michael Yarish/CBS -

John H. Lowe III alleges in a new lawsuit that Matlock's writers' room was "permeated by sexually explicit and discriminatory conduct"

The complaint claims Lowe was terminated after raising concerns, including an allegation that the showrunner referred to Juneteenth as "Coonteenth"

CBS Studios says it conducted a "thorough investigation," found no support for Lowe's allegations and plans to "vigorously" defend the lawsuit

A former Matlock writer has filed a lawsuit against CBS Television Studios, alleging he was subjected to a hostile work environment that included racist and sexually explicit comments before he was fired after raising concerns.

According to a complaint filed Wednesday, June 17, in Los Angeles County Superior Court and obtained by PEOPLE, John H. Lowe III alleges that Matlock showrunner Jennie Snyder Urman and executive producers Nicki Renna and Jeffrey Lieber created a work environment "permeated by sexually explicit and discriminatory conduct."

The lawsuit names CBS Television Studios, Snyder Urman, Renna and Lieber as defendants. Lowe brings claims for hostile work environment based on race, hostile work environment based on sex, and failure to prevent and remedy harassment, discrimination and/or retaliation.

Lowe, who was hired as an executive story editor on the CBS drama in October 2023, alleges he was subjected to repeated racially and sexually offensive conduct during his employment before his termination in July 2025.

"We are committed to maintaining a safe and respectful environment for everyone and take all workplace complaints seriously," a CBS Studios spokesperson said in a statement provided to PEOPLE on Wednesday, June 17. "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."

John Lowe at the 2022 Humanitas Prizes Awards ceremony in Beverly HillsCredit: David Livingston/Getty

According to the complaint, Lowe alleges that shortly after joining the series he was subjected to comments about his body, race and dating life. The lawsuit claims that Snyder Urman and Lieber commented on how tightly his clothes fit and allegedly suggested that his shoe size meant he was "well-endowed down there," which Lowe says invoked a racial stereotype about Black men.

The complaint further alleges that he was repeatedly questioned about his dating life and sexuality and asked him "how he handled a man's genitals."

Elsewhere in the lawsuit, Lowe alleges that Renna made comments about recurring cast member Eme Ikwuakor, including stating that he "can barely read."

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The complaint also alleges that Renna telephoned Lowe "late at night" in 2024 and told him "she was in bed wearing only her underwear."

The lawsuit also describes an unusual dispute involving Snyder Urman's dog. Lowe alleges that Snyder Urman brought the dog into the writers' room and said her children no longer wanted it, before pressuring him into caring for the animal for nearly a year.

Skye P. Marshall, Jason Ritter, and Kathy Bates on 'Matlock'Credit: Michael Yarish/CBS

The complaint further alleges that Snyder Urman declined to keep the animal herself because her children "didn't like the aesthetic" of the dog's black coloring.

The lawsuit alleges that the situation escalated in June 2025 when Lowe asked whether the writers' room would observe Juneteenth. According to the complaint, Snyder Urman allegedly responded by referring to the holiday as "Coonteenth."

Lowe claims after Matlock wrapped production later that month, he was placed on what defendants described as a "hiatus." The complaint states that on July 2, 2025, he was informed that his employment had been terminated.

According to the lawsuit, the end of Lowe's employment came less than two weeks after he raised concerns regarding workplace conduct, and he alleges the termination was retaliatory.

The complaint states that Lowe has suffered emotional distress, humiliation, lost income and medical expenses. He is seeking compensatory damages, punitive damages, attorneys' fees and other relief to be determined at trial.

Matlock, starring Kathy Bates, was one of CBS' biggest breakout hits during its first season. The legal drama was renewed for a third season earlier this year.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”