‘The Lowdown’ Creator Sterlin Harjo on the Finale and Season 2 Plans
Sterlin Harjo, creator, writer, and director of the FX series The Lowdown, shared insights into the season’s finale, his creative process, and what inspired the show’s tone. Previously known as the showrunner of the acclaimed three-season comedy Reservation Dogs, Harjo explained how that experience gave him confidence to experiment and collaborate more freely with actors.
Influences and Creative Journey
Harjo mentioned being influenced by several films and reflected on a class about filmmaker David Lynch that he took at the University of Oklahoma. These experiences shaped his approach to storytelling and encouraged him to explore unconventional narrative structures.
The Story of The Lowdown
The show follows citizen journalist Lee Raybon, played by Ethan Hawke (who also serves as executive producer). Lee, describing himself as a “truthstorian,” lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and becomes obsessed with uncovering the suspicious death of Dale Washberg, the family’s misfit, portrayed by Tim Blake Nelson.
As Lee digs deeper, his investigation spirals out of control and draws him into a tangled web involving Dale’s older brother Donald (Kyle MacLachlan), Dale’s widow Betty Jo (Jeanna Tripplehorn), a white supremacist church leader (Paul Sparks), and a private investigator (Keith David).
Lee is essentially a good man with his heart in the right place, but his tendency to court danger and get himself into trouble threatens his relationship with his daughter, Francis (Ryan Kiera Armstrong).
Looking Ahead to Season 2
Harjo hinted that the second season will continue exploring moral ambiguity and the consequences of Lee’s relentless pursuit of truth, blending dark humor with emotional resonance.
Author’s summary: Harjo transforms his creative growth from Reservation Dogs into The Lowdown, a mystery that examines obsession, truth, and the complex moral landscape of modern America.