NYC Files Lawsuit Against Jordan McGraw to Block Risky NYPD Reality Series

Exclusive access has turned into a legal nightmare. New York City has filed a lawsuit against Jordan McGraw, the son of TV personality Dr. Phil, seeking to block the release of a pro-police reality series that officials claim puts officers' lives at risk. The city alleges that McGraw's production company disregarded safety protocols by failing to obscure sensitive information in early cuts of the show.

Jordan McGraw NYC Lawsuit: The Rise and Fall of Behind the Badge

The conflict dates back to April 2025, when former Mayor Eric Adams granted McGraw Media "exclusive access" to film NYPD operations. The series, titled "Behind the Badge," was intended to highlight the department's "extraordinary work." However, a core provision of the contract gave the city discretionary power to prohibit scenes that might compromise safety or portray the department in a negative light.

Compromised Cover and Security Breaches

According to the complaint filed on Wednesday, city officials reviewed four episodes in December and flagged major security concerns. These included the exposure of undercover officers' identities and a scene showing an officer entering a security code at a police precinct. Despite these warnings, the city claims McGraw is still seeking distribution for the series, risking "irreparable harm" to its employees and the public.