The Lowdown (FX Network) S: Ethan Hawke, Kyle MacLachlan, Keith David -- premieres 9/23/2025
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The Lowdown (FX Network) S: Ethan Hawke, Kyle MacLachlan, Keith David -- premieres 9/23/2025

The Lowdown from Creator, Executive Producer, Writer and Director Sterlin Harjo (Reservation Dogs) and starring Executive Producer Ethan Hawke, follows the gritty exploits of citizen journalist “Lee Raybon” (Hawke), a self-proclaimed Tulsa “truthstorian” whose obsession with the truth is always getting him into trouble.
Lee lives and works in a rare bookstore tucked in the heart of Tulsa – a local refuge and unofficial community hub. While Lee’s no idealist, he’s fiercely committed to exposing corruption and unearthing the city’s hidden rot, even when it puts him at risk. His constant sleuthing pulls him deep into Tulsa’s underbelly – and often away from his 14-year-old daughter “Francis” (Ryan Kiera Armstrong), a precocious kid who’s inherited his curiosity and longs to join him on his adventures. His ex “Samantha” (Kaniehtiio Horn) is exasperated by Lee’s endless digging, but still sees the good in him – especially when it comes to Francis, the one thing they’ve never stopped showing up for.
When the publication of Lee’s latest exposé – a deep dive into the powerful Washberg family – is immediately followed by the suspicious suicide of “Dale Washberg” (Tim Blake Nelson), the black sheep of the family, Lee knows he’s stumbled onto something big. Following a trail of breadcrumbs Dale has left behind, urging someone to dig deeper into the circumstances surrounding his death, Lee does just that. What Lee finds is that “Betty Jo” (Jeanne Tripplehorn), the grieving widow, seems to be more interested in her brother-in-law “Donald Washberg” (Kyle MacLachlan), a gubernatorial candidate, than in her dearly departed. And powerful forces want to prevent Lee from learning anything more.
Lee has also gained the attention of a mysterious stranger who seems to appear whenever Lee least expects it: refined and suave, “Marty” (Keith David) shares Lee’s appreciation of great literary minds, and seems unusually interested in his investigation into the Washberg family.
This eight-episode Tulsa noir series is created by Executive Producer Sterlin Harjo, who also wrote and directed the pilot. Garrett Basch, series’ lead Ethan Hawke and Ryan Hawke also executive produce. The Lowdown is produced by FX Productions.
Lee lives and works in a rare bookstore tucked in the heart of Tulsa – a local refuge and unofficial community hub. While Lee’s no idealist, he’s fiercely committed to exposing corruption and unearthing the city’s hidden rot, even when it puts him at risk. His constant sleuthing pulls him deep into Tulsa’s underbelly – and often away from his 14-year-old daughter “Francis” (Ryan Kiera Armstrong), a precocious kid who’s inherited his curiosity and longs to join him on his adventures. His ex “Samantha” (Kaniehtiio Horn) is exasperated by Lee’s endless digging, but still sees the good in him – especially when it comes to Francis, the one thing they’ve never stopped showing up for.
When the publication of Lee’s latest exposé – a deep dive into the powerful Washberg family – is immediately followed by the suspicious suicide of “Dale Washberg” (Tim Blake Nelson), the black sheep of the family, Lee knows he’s stumbled onto something big. Following a trail of breadcrumbs Dale has left behind, urging someone to dig deeper into the circumstances surrounding his death, Lee does just that. What Lee finds is that “Betty Jo” (Jeanne Tripplehorn), the grieving widow, seems to be more interested in her brother-in-law “Donald Washberg” (Kyle MacLachlan), a gubernatorial candidate, than in her dearly departed. And powerful forces want to prevent Lee from learning anything more.
Lee has also gained the attention of a mysterious stranger who seems to appear whenever Lee least expects it: refined and suave, “Marty” (Keith David) shares Lee’s appreciation of great literary minds, and seems unusually interested in his investigation into the Washberg family.
This eight-episode Tulsa noir series is created by Executive Producer Sterlin Harjo, who also wrote and directed the pilot. Garrett Basch, series’ lead Ethan Hawke and Ryan Hawke also executive produce. The Lowdown is produced by FX Productions.
#2
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: The Lowdown (FX Network) S: Ethan Hawke, Kyle MacLachlan, Keith David -- premieres 9/23/2025
Looks cool and I'm here for anything with Hawke.
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Re: The Lowdown (FX Network) S: Ethan Hawke, Kyle MacLachlan, Keith David -- premieres 9/23/2025
#5
Re: The Lowdown (FX Network) S: Ethan Hawke, Kyle MacLachlan, Keith David -- premieres 9/23/2025
I just want the next "Sun" movie from him. Yeah I know it seems unlikely to happen.
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Re: The Lowdown (FX Network) S: Ethan Hawke, Kyle MacLachlan, Keith David -- premieres 9/23/2025
#7
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Re: The Lowdown (FX Network) S: Ethan Hawke, Kyle MacLachlan, Keith David -- premieres 9/23/2025
First two episodes are great.
I don’t know where the writing inspirations come from. Almost everything is new and surprising to me. It’s fitting to see Macon Blair and Peter Dinklage in this.
I don’t know where the writing inspirations come from. Almost everything is new and surprising to me. It’s fitting to see Macon Blair and Peter Dinklage in this.
#9
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: The Lowdown (FX Network) S: Ethan Hawke, Kyle MacLachlan, Keith David -- premieres 9/23/2025
The character is loosely based on a artist/reporter from Tulsa that did a lot to expose W. Tate Brady - a founding member of Tulsa, business owner, grand dragon of the KKK and owner of the hotel that spurred the Tulsa Race Riots. There was a bunch of stuff named after him in Tulsa until his stories came about. The family is loosely based on OK current AG and probably next Governor's family the Drummonds - the Pioneer Woman is married into this family that also inspired the antagonist in Killers of the Flower Moon.
#10
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Re: The Lowdown (FX Network) S: Ethan Hawke, Kyle MacLachlan, Keith David -- premieres 9/23/2025
Good to know! I didn’t realize any real life connections. Now I feel like I know some of the plot that’s coming. But that’s okay.
Now, why isn’t anyone talking about the show?
Now, why isn’t anyone talking about the show?
#11
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Re: The Lowdown (FX Network) S: Ethan Hawke, Kyle MacLachlan, Keith David -- premieres 9/23/2025
Probably because there isn't some big mystery to speculate over. Loving the show so far. Can't wait for Dinklage to show up (haven't watched last night's episode yet).
#12
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Re: The Lowdown (FX Network) S: Ethan Hawke, Kyle MacLachlan, Keith David -- premieres 9/23/2025
This is the inspiration, sadly he died about 10 years ago.
#13
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Re: The Lowdown (FX Network) S: Ethan Hawke, Kyle MacLachlan, Keith David -- premieres 9/23/2025
I like the show.
#14
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Re: The Lowdown (FX Network) S: Ethan Hawke, Kyle MacLachlan, Keith David -- premieres 9/23/2025
I watched the first two episodes tonight and really like it so far. Hawke's character seems a good fit for him.
It kept bugging me that Hawke's daughter in this looked really familiar to me, but I couldn't remember from where. I looked it up and she was "Fern" in Star Wars: Skeleton Crew.
It kept bugging me that Hawke's daughter in this looked really familiar to me, but I couldn't remember from where. I looked it up and she was "Fern" in Star Wars: Skeleton Crew.
#15
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Re: The Lowdown (FX Network) S: Ethan Hawke, Kyle MacLachlan, Keith David -- premieres 9/23/2025
This week's episode 6, "Old Indian Trick," guest-starred the recently departed Graham Greene
. The scene with Lee going to the Indian community center was hilarious. Some interesting reveals in this episode. I'm really enjoying this show. Only two more episodes this season.
Oh, and the closing scene from episode 5 at the cop party was wild!
. The scene with Lee going to the Indian community center was hilarious. Some interesting reveals in this episode. I'm really enjoying this show. Only two more episodes this season.Oh, and the closing scene from episode 5 at the cop party was wild!
#16
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Re: The Lowdown (FX Network) S: Ethan Hawke, Kyle MacLachlan, Keith David -- premieres 9/23/2025
Only halfway through the second episode but enjoying it enough I'll see it through the season. Every time I start to love it though the characters say or do something that is just stupidly unrealistic such as Ethan Hawke's ex's new boyfriend thinking that just because Ethan Hawke (who he is meeting for the first time) says he's into MMA that it's cool to lunge toward him to "Roll". Even if it wasn't an awkward social experience to meet the ex of your partner no one would respond like that. It's a minor thing and all my complaints like it are minor things but they definitely take me out of the show.
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Jason Bovberg (01-22-26)
#17
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Re: The Lowdown (FX Network) S: Ethan Hawke, Kyle MacLachlan, Keith David -- premieres 9/23/2025
Watched episode 5 last night. Finally, Dinklage. He's fantastic in this. Whole season of him and Hawke as buddy PI's, please.
#18
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Re: The Lowdown (FX Network) S: Ethan Hawke, Kyle MacLachlan, Keith David -- premieres 9/23/2025
I just watched the finale (episode 8). I really liked there was a lot of time spent on the denouement. So many tv shows and movies build up to a big climax and then abruptly end, and I find that unsatisfying.
I loved this show. I've seen Ethan Hawke in many things over the years, but this character may be my favorite of all that he's played. I just loved him and the whole vibe of the show.
BTW, there is an extra scene that starts just after the credits start to roll.
I loved this show. I've seen Ethan Hawke in many things over the years, but this character may be my favorite of all that he's played. I just loved him and the whole vibe of the show.
BTW, there is an extra scene that starts just after the credits start to roll.
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Dan1boy (01-07-26)
#19
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Re: The Lowdown (FX Network) S: Ethan Hawke, Kyle MacLachlan, Keith David -- premieres 9/23/2025
Who was the woman who (last episode)
I didn't recognize her from anything previous.
Spoiler:
I didn't recognize her from anything previous.
#20
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Re: The Lowdown (FX Network) S: Ethan Hawke, Kyle MacLachlan, Keith David -- premieres 9/23/2025
She was in one of the previous episodes. IIRC, she (played by veteran character actress Dale Dickey) was the mother of one of the two bumbling thugs who killed Dale Washberg (Tim Blake Nelson). In the first episode, the thugs kidnap Lee (Ethan Hawke) and while he is in the trunk of their car the contractor guy "Allen" shoots and kills both of the thugs. In a later episode, Lee goes to the woman's (the mother's) house and pretends to be a friend of her son to get information about Allen. At that point she didn't yet know her son had been killed. Frank--the guy that the woman shot at the end--was the boss of Allen and I guess she figured he was therefore ultimately responsible for her son's death.
#21
DVD Talk Legend
Re: The Lowdown (FX Network) S: Ethan Hawke, Kyle MacLachlan, Keith David -- premieres 9/23/2025
Oh. Strange. Seems like something they shoehorned in just to get to the outcome they wanted. How would the mother of one of the skinheads even know who that guy is? They didn't work with him directly, as far as we know.
#22
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Re: The Lowdown (FX Network) S: Ethan Hawke, Kyle MacLachlan, Keith David -- premieres 9/23/2025
I think they were all connected to the white supremacists (the thugs, Allen, Frank, the church), so I figured she found out through those connections.
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Re: The Lowdown (FX Network) S: Ethan Hawke, Kyle MacLachlan, Keith David -- premieres 9/23/2025
Finished this up last night - and really hated to see it end. Loved the characters, the dialogue, the thriller elements.
Wonderful stuff....
Wonderful stuff....
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Dan1boy (01-07-26)
#24
DVD Talk Legend
Re: The Lowdown (FX Network) S: Ethan Hawke, Kyle MacLachlan, Keith David -- premieres 9/23/2025
Renewed
#25
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Re: The Lowdown (FX Network) S: Ethan Hawke, Kyle MacLachlan, Keith David -- premieres 9/23/2025
Great to hear this is renewed!




