John Lowe Sues CBS in Matlock Writer Lawsuit Cbs Over Alleged Racist Comments

John Lowe’s matlock writer lawsuit cbs filing puts CBS Television Studios and three named executives in court over allegations tied to his work on Matlock. Lowe says the case stems from racist and sexual comments, plus retaliation after he reported a Juneteenth remark.

He filed the suit on Wednesday against showrunner Jennie Snyder Urman, executive producer Nicki Renna and executive producer Jeffrey Lieber. Lowe says the alleged conduct created a hostile work environment for him and other Black cast and crew members, and that his termination came two weeks after he raised the Juneteenth complaint.

John Lowe’s allegations

From October 2023 to July 2025, Lowe worked on Matlock while, he says, racially stereotyped comments about his body and genitalia were directed at him and other Black cast and crew members. He also says Urman referred to Juneteenth as “Coonteenth,” a charge that sits at the center of the retaliation claim.

Lowe further alleges that Urman brought a dog into the writers’ room and said her children did not like the aesthetic because the dog was black. He says he was coerced into taking care of the dog for nearly a year while other staff were present, and that the incident was “racially motivated and designed to single him out for humiliation based on his race, not for any creative or production reason.”

Renna and Ikwuakor

The complaint also alleges that Nicki Renna said Black cast member Eme Ikwuakor “can barely read.” Lowe says Renna later called him late at night and said she was in bed wearing only her underwear, adding another layer to the sexual-harassment claims in the filing.

That combination of allegations makes the case larger than a private dispute with one writer. It points to claims of race-based abuse involving both the writers’ room and the production chain, with Lowe naming the showrunner and two executive producers alongside CBS Television Studios.

CBS Studios defense

CBS Studios said it had investigated the allegations and was unable to find support for them. The company said, “We are committed to maintaining a safe and respectful environment for everyone and take all workplace complaints seriously.” It added, “In this instance, a thorough investigation was completed, and we were unable to find support for his allegations,” and said, “We look forward to vigorously defending this lawsuit.”

The suit arrives three months after actor David Del Rio filed an arbitration claim against CBS Studios over his firing last fall, after he was written off Matlock following an allegation of sexual assault against him. Lowe’s filing keeps the show in the middle of a legal fight over conduct behind the camera, and the company’s response suggests it will contest the case rather than settle the narrative by default.