A struggling New York writer, producer and actress is suing TV mega-producer Dick Wolf over a new reality show that lifts the lid on the FBI’s New York field office.
Stephanie Little, 45, who supports herself by working as a waitress, says she originally set up the meeting between the FBI’s Anne Beagan, who works in the office of public affairs, and Tom Thayer of Dick Wolf Reality, which resulted in the USA Network docuseries “Inside the FBI: New York.”
The show promises to give an unprecedented look inside the FBI’s NYC offices and access to the agents keeping Americans safe.
Little filed a lawsuit in Supreme Court on Wednesday against Dick Wolf Reality, saying she “played a critical role in making key introductions between the FBI and Wolf Reality, and in the early development of the show, but has since been lied to and cut out of the production.”
Wolf, 70, is the creator of the “Law & Order” franchise.
The lawsuit alleges that Little met Beagan while researching another project at the FBI, and then introduced Beagan to Thayer “for purposes of discussing a potential reality television show focusing on the FBI.”
But “despite repeated promises from Mr. Thayer that Ms. Little would be compensated for her critical role, after she had served Wolf Reality’s purpose, she was lied to and cut out of communications for the show,” the suit claims, and Thayer falsely claimed there was “no show” and access to the FBI was denied, even though Director James Comey approved it.
Little — who was shocked to learn that the show had been picked up by USA — is demanding a producer credit, appropriate compensation per episode, plus a percentage of any spinoffs.
Little’s lawyer Jordan W. Siev said, “Our complaint was filed in light of Wolf Reality’s failure to acknowledge Stephanie’s role in the production.”
A rep for Wolf said, “[He] and his representatives have not seen the complaint and they do not comment on litigation matters.” A rep for the show’s exec producer Mark Levin added, “Anne Beagan has known Dick Wolf for 20 years. Stephanie Little had nothing to do with this project.”