FX's The Lowdown has been making waves with its gritty crime storytelling, and Season 2 just got a whole lot more interesting with the introduction of Sheriff Vela Thorne, played by the always-compelling Martha Plimpton. In Episode 4, titled "Raw Milk," we meet Vela at a hog contest, where she's working the crowd in her signature style—tight Wrangler jeans, gold jewelry, and cowboy boots. It's a memorable entrance that sets the stage for a clash with journalist Lee Raybon (Ethan Hawke), who's digging into local corruption.
Plimpton recently opened up about joining the Tulsa-set series, and she couldn't be more thrilled. "I read the script. I love Sterlin [Harjo] and, obviously, Ethan is an old friend," she said. At the time, she was working in Madrid or Lisbon, but the opportunity was too good to pass up. "I just thought, 'Hell, yeah, I want to go and do that.'" She admits the commute between Europe and Oklahoma was a bit much, but the chance to work in a world she loves made it all worth it.
A Sheriff Who Means Business
One of the first things fans will notice about Vela is her look—those jeans are practically painted on. Plimpton had a clear vision for her character's appearance. "I wanted them to be tight, tight, tight," she said. "I wanted them to look painted on with a big gold belt buckle. I wanted Sheriff Vela to look like a woman who has run for office and won." And that's exactly what Vela is—a political animal who knows how to work a room, whether it's at an agricultural fair or a backroom deal.
Plimpton is no stranger to playing complex, unconventional women. From The Regime to Task and East of Eden, she's been on a roll. "I'm having so much fun," she said. "I've been really fortunate to work with these really great writers and productions that are very singular in their voice. They want to do something a little bit weird and a little bit off and maybe even rebellious, and I love that."
Dealing with the 'B' Word
In the episode, Vela has a great moment when someone mentions that everyone calls her a bitch. Her response? "I hope they call me a bitch every day of my life." Plimpton sees this as Vela's way of empowering a younger woman. "She's trying to talk up this girl and tell her not to be afraid and not to care what anybody says," she explained. "There's nothing wrong with being a bitch. A lot of great women get called a bitch."
When it comes to Lee Raybon, Vela isn't impressed. "I don't think she knows anything about him," Plimpton said. "She thinks he's just some crackpot guy. She's heard a little bit about what he does, but she doesn't have time for that. She's got bigger fish to fry."
The Politics of Being Sheriff
Vela might not be the most ethical law enforcer, but Plimpton defends her. "She's probably a very good one," she said. "Being a sheriff is not like being a cop. It's a political job. You get sucked into politics a lot more than you would if you were in the FBI. It's all about showing up to agricultural fairs and shaking hands and winning votes and gaining influence."
The set of The Lowdown is known for its collaborative vibe, thanks to showrunner Sterlin Harjo. Plimpton echoed the praise: "Every day was just lovely." She also had a fun experience working with a sheep in the episode, which she called "a pro."
For fans of the show, Plimpton's addition is a highlight. If you're new to The Lowdown, check out our review of the gritty crime thriller that True Detective fans need to watch. And for more on the show's world, don't miss our interview with Emily Hampshire about her character's heartbreaking journey.
