Westerns have never really left our screens, from 1923 to The Abandons, but the modern-day twist on the genre—neo-Westerns—has carved out its own devoted following. FX's The Lowdown is a standout example, pairing Ethan Hawke with Sterlin Harjo for a crime saga that's as much about Tulsa, journalism, and flawed humanity as it is about solving a mystery.
The first season earned a near-perfect 98% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes, and FX is clearly invested in the story of Lee Raybon. The Lowdown Season 2 premieres October 14 on FX and Hulu, with Betty Gilpin and Tommy Lee Jones joining Hawke for another increasingly messy investigation. If you haven't yet dived into this strange, funny crime series, now's the perfect time to catch up.
What Is 'The Lowdown' About?
Set in Tulsa, Oklahoma, The Lowdown follows Lee Raybon (Hawke), a stubborn, obsessive journalist who calls himself a "truthstorian." The series kicks off when his exposé on the powerful Washberg family makes waves, and one member, black-sheep brother Dale (Tim Blake Nelson), turns up dead in an apparent suicide. Determined to uncover the truth, Lee traces Dale's steps, meeting a cast of eclectic characters and discovering hidden notes inside first-edition novels that serve as a paper trail of confessions.
Along the way, Lee clashes with Donald Washberg (Kyle MacLachlan), a political darling who grows icier as Lee gets closer, and real estate developer Frank Martin (Tracy Letts), who's making shady deals that threaten small businesses across North Tulsa. He also gains allies and hecklers, including Betty Jo (Jeanne Tripplehorn), Dale's not-exactly-grieving widow; Marty (Keith David), a literature-quoting private investigator; and Ray (Michael Hitchcock), an antiques dealer who always knows the local gossip.
Humor and Heart in Equal Measure
While the premise might suggest a tense, action-heavy mystery, The Lowdown is far more nuanced. Lee's relentless pursuit is balanced by his softer side, especially in scenes with his headstrong daughter, Francis (Ryan Kiera Armstrong). He's a flawed dad navigating parenthood and co-parenting, often bringing Francis along on stakeouts and sleuthing sessions—much to her delight, though it sometimes puts her in danger.
Sterlin Harjo masterfully balances the murderous drama with deadpan, sly humor. As Collider's Tania Hussain noted in her review, "The Lowdown never relies too heavily on its noir self-seriousness," allowing itself to be funny with laugh-out-loud moments and inherently comedic characters. The show finds humor in the absurdity of small-city politics, internet-age journalism, and Lee's refusal to let things go, all while grounding its jokes with emotional weight and authenticity.
What's Next for Lee Raybon?
Season 2 promises to build on that balance. When The Lowdown returns October 14, Lee teams up with public defender Ginger (Betty Gilpin) after one of her clients mysteriously disappears from state prison. Naturally, the case points toward power, corruption, and wealthy people behaving badly—just the kind of story Lee can't resist.
His personal life is also getting more complicated. Marty is now managing editor of The Heartland Press, Lee's ex Samantha (Kaniehtiio Horn) has remarried, and Francis wants more time with a father who's once again consumed by work. 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. Season 2 isn't just handing Lee another mystery; it's giving one of television's messiest truth-seekers an entirely new set of problems to make worse.
With Season 1 already proving that The Lowdown can balance crime, humor, and genuine affection for its characters, the upcoming season has plenty to build on. Hawke remains the show's chaotic center, but adding Gilpin and Jones to Lee's already complicated orbit makes Season 2 one of the most intriguing returns on FX's fall slate. If Lee Raybon thought exposing Tulsa's secrets was difficult before, October is about to give him a whole new mess to dig through.
For more binge-worthy picks, check out our Netflix binge guide or explore other fun R-rated action movies to keep the momentum going.
