The Lowdown (American TV series)
| Company type | Television series |
|---|---|
| Industry | Entertainment |
| Founded | September 23, 2025 |
| Founder | Sterlin Harjo |
| Headquarters | Tulsa, Oklahoma , United States |
Area served | United States, International (via Disney+) |
Key people | Sterlin Harjo (developer, executive producer), Ethan Hawke (lead actor, executive producer), Garrett Basch (executive producer) |
| Products | Crime comedy-drama television series |
| Owner | FX Productions, Crazy Eagle Media, Dive, Under the Influence Productions |
| Website | www |
The Lowdown is a crime comedy-drama series from the United States, developed by Sterlin Harjo for the FX network. Featuring lead performances by Ethan Hawke and Keith David, it debuted on September 23, 2025. The show combines elements of neo-noir with dark comedic tones, appealing to viewers who appreciate intricate crime stories. This production is a joint effort by Crazy Eagle Media, Dive, Under the Influence Productions, and FX Productions, demonstrating a coordinated partnership among prominent production houses to create premium programming.
Premise
Set in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the narrative centers on a man possessing extensive knowledge, drawing loose inspiration from historian Lee Roy Chapman.
Main
- Ethan Hawke portrays Lee Raybon
- Keith David plays Marty
Recurring
- Kaniehtiio Horn as Samantha
- Ryan Kiera Armstrong as Francis
- Jeanne Tripplehorn as Betty Jo
- Macon Blair as Dan Kane
- Scott Shepherd as Allen Murphy
- Tim Blake Nelson as Dale Washberg
- Tracy Letts as Frank Martin
- Michael Hitchcock as Ray
- Mike 'Killer Mike' Render as Cyrus
- Cody Lightning as Waylon
- Abbie Cobb as Vicky Williams
- Josh Fadem as Abel Bell
- Eric Edelstein as Blackie
- Johnny Pemberton as Berta
- Zachary Booth as Elijah
- Kyle MacLachlan as Donald Washberg
- Rafael Casal as Johnny
- Dale Dickey as Bonnie
- Siena East as Deidra
- Mato Wayuhi as Chutto McIntosh
- Ken Pomeroy as Pearl
- Paul Sparks as Pastor Mark Sternwick
Notable guests
- Paulina Alexis reprises Willie Jack from Reservation Dogs
- Devery Jacobs appears as Elora Danan Postoak from Reservation Dogs
- John Doe in the role of Marlon
- Peter Dinklage guest stars as Wendell
- Tisha Campbell portrays Odette
- Graham Greene features as Arthur
Production
In February 2024, FX announced a drama pilot named The Sensitive Kind, created and executive produced by Sterlin Harjo, with lead actor Ethan Hawke. Hawke also holds an executive producer credit alongside Garrett Basch, while production is managed by FX Productions. By May 2025, the series was officially titled The Lowdown.
The pilot was shot in locations across Oklahoma during April and May 2024. The ensemble cast for this initial episode includes names such as Keith David, Siena East, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Tim Blake Nelson, Scott Shepherd, Tracy Letts, Kyle MacLachlan, Macon Blair, Kaniehtiio Horn, Killer Mike, Cody Lightning, Michael Hitchcock, and Ryan Kiera Armstrong. FX gave the green light for the full series in October 2024. Principal filming commenced on February 10, 2025. Visual direction is led by cinematographers Adam Stone, Mark Schwartzbard, and Christopher Norr, while editing duties are handled by Patrick Tuck, Dane McMaster, and Gina Sansom.
Sterlin Harjo has confirmed that this show exists within the same fictional realm as Reservation Dogs, another FX series he co-created. Both Hawke and Horn previously appeared in that series portraying different characters. Additionally, in the pilot episode of The Lowdown, a cameo by Paulina Alexis occurs where she reprises her role as Willie Jack from Reservation Dogs.
Release
The series made its worldwide debut on September 4, 2025, during the primetime segment of the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival. It premiered on FX on September 23, 2025, and was subsequently launched internationally on Disney+ the following day.
Reception
According to Rotten Tomatoes, the series achieved a 98% approval rating from 46 critics, who praised its fusion of mystery elements with the distinctive local atmosphere of Tulsa, notably supported by Ethan Hawke's portrayal. On Metacritic, it earned a score of 86 out of 100 from 28 reviews, reflecting "universal acclaim."