Westerns have long been a staple of television, from the epic landscapes of 1923 to the frontier drama of The Abandons. But in recent years, a different kind of Western has emerged—one that trades horses for highways and saloons for newsrooms. FX's The Lowdown is a prime example, blending neo-noir sensibilities with a modern-day crime story set in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Created by Sterlin Harjo and starring Ethan Hawke, the series has become one of 2025's standout shows, earning a near-perfect 98% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Now, the wait is almost over. The Lowdown Season 2 premieres on October 14 on FX and Hulu, and this time, Lee Raybon (Hawke) faces even more chaos. Joining the cast are Betty Gilpin and Tommy Lee Jones, both of whom are sure to shake things up. If you haven't caught up yet, Season 1 is currently streaming on Hulu—perfect timing to binge before the new episodes drop.
What Is 'The Lowdown' About?
Set in Tulsa, The Lowdown follows Lee Raybon, a stubborn journalist who calls himself a "truthstorian." The first season kicks off when his exposé on the powerful Washberg family makes waves, and then Dale Washberg (Tim Blake Nelson), the family's black sheep, turns up dead in an apparent suicide. Lee isn't buying it, so he starts digging, uncovering a trail of hidden notes inside first-edition novels that read like confessions.
Along the way, Lee crosses paths with a colorful cast of characters, including Donald Washberg (Kyle MacLachlan), a political figure who grows colder as Lee gets closer; Frank Martin (Tracy Letts), a shady real estate developer; Betty Jo (Jeanne Tripplehorn), Dale's not-so-grieving widow; Marty (Keith David), a literature-quoting private investigator; and Ray (Michael Hitchcock), an antiques dealer with a knack for finding the best tea.
More Than Just a Mystery
While the plot sounds like a straightforward crime thriller, The Lowdown is much richer. Lee's relationship with his daughter, Francis (Ryan Kiera Armstrong), adds a heartfelt layer. She's curious and sharp, and their scenes together show a father trying to balance his obsession with work and his responsibilities as a parent. Lee often brings Francis along on his sleuthing adventures, which doesn't always end well—but it makes for great TV.
Harjo also infuses the series with a sly, deadpan humor that keeps it from taking itself too seriously. As Collider's Tania Hussain noted in her review, the show "never relies too heavily on its noir self-seriousness." Instead, it finds laughs in the absurdity of small-city politics, internet-age journalism, and Lee's refusal to let go of a story. The humor is grounded in real emotion, making the show both entertaining and authentic.
What's Next for Lee Raybon?
Season 2 promises to build on that balance. Lee teams up with public defender Ginger (Betty Gilpin) after one of her clients vanishes from state prison. Naturally, the case leads to power, corruption, and wealthy people behaving badly—just the kind of story Lee lives for.
But his personal life is getting messier. Marty is now managing editor of The Heartland Press, Lee's ex Samantha (Kaniehtiio Horn) has remarried, and Francis wants more of her father's attention. Then there's the arrival of Tommy Lee Jones as Lee Raybon Sr., Lee's estranged grifter father—whom Lee had apparently told Francis was dead. So Season 2 isn't just another mystery; it's a whole new set of problems for one of TV's most endearingly chaotic truth-seekers.
With Season 1 already proving that The Lowdown can balance crime, humor, and genuine heart, the upcoming season has plenty to build on. Hawke remains the show's chaotic center, but adding Gilpin and Jones to the mix makes Season 2 one of the most anticipated returns on FX's fall slate. If Lee thought exposing Tulsa's secrets was tough before, October is about to give him a whole new mess to dig through.
For more on Ethan Hawke's career, check out his greatest films. And if you're in the mood for more Westerns, why 1923 stands out is a must-read.
