Reservation Dogs co-creator Sterlin Harjo trades rural Oklahoma comedy for urban crime thriller with The Lowdown, premiering September 23 on FX. This eight-episode drama stars Ethan Hawke as Lee Raybon, a disheveled “truthstorian” investigating Tulsa’s buried secrets while exposing present-day corruption from his rare bookstore headquarters.
The Lowdown FX Series Explores Real Journalism
Created by Harjo with executive producer support from Hawke himself, The Lowdown draws inspiration from Harjo’s real experiences working with guerrilla journalist Lee Roy Chapman at This Land Press magazine. “We were this startup, full of piss and vinegar, trying to tell the truth and write about our community,” Harjo revealed, explaining how their “Tulsa Public Secrets” video series exposed underground histories that shaped the show’s narrative foundation.
The The Lowdown FX production reunites Harjo with several Reservation Dogs alumni, including Kaniehtiio Horn returning as the mysterious Deer Lady. Supporting cast features Oklahoma natives Tim Blake Nelson (O Brother, Where Art Thou?), Jeanne Tripplehorn (Mickey Blue Eyes), Tracy Letts (Lady Bird), and Keith David (They Live), creating an authentic regional ensemble.
Tulsa’s Dark History
The Lowdown confronts Tulsa’s problematic past through Raybon’s investigation of a prominent local family, leading him from the city’s seedy underbelly to its highest power corridors. Harjo described the project as “my love letter to Tulsa, where I currently live. You see the beauty and the darkness. You see everything”.
Filming occurred throughout Tulsa and surrounding Oklahoma locations, with Harjo serving as writer, director, and executive producer alongside Hawke. The series represents FX’s continued investment in creator-driven content following Reservation Dogs‘ critical success, though some industry observers questioned whether Harjo could successfully transition from comedy to crime drama.
Controversy arose when local Tulsa officials criticized the series’ portrayal of city corruption, though Harjo defended his approach: “There’s a pent-up need for truth in this city. That push to tell the truth and find truth and tell our story and create a narrative around us.” The The Lowdown FX series positions itself as both entertainment and social commentary, using the noir genre to examine systemic issues often ignored by mainstream media coverage.
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