Why Sterlin Harjo’s ‘The Lowdown’ is a TV Show for the Books
Have you been watching The Lowdown on Hulu? Sterlin Harjo’s follow-up to Reservation Dogs stars Ethan Hawke as a bookstore owner and local muckraking journalist investigating troubling events in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
A Show Made for Readers and Writers
Partially set in a bookstore with a plot sparked by old Jim Thompson novels, The Lowdown is uniquely crafted for readers, writers, and book lovers. It combines a lively crime story with deep affection for books and music. The series also includes a visit to Tulsa’s Magic City Books.
“You must be a writer” is used as a punchline in a way only a writer could create—and then love enough not to cut out.
Additionally, the show features a Joe Brainard painting inspired by an actual piece, adding an artistic layer to the narrative.
Talented Writing and Cast
- Showrunner Sterlin Harjo collaborates with screenwriters Liz Blood, Olivia Purnell, Sneha Koorse, and others.
- Esteemed crime authors Walter Mosley and Lou Berney also contribute to the writing.
- The cast includes many accomplished writers, enriching the show’s authenticity.
The series offers an unrestrained, engaging crime story with some adult themes, making it a distinctive and compelling watch.
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Author’s summary: The Lowdown masterfully blends crime storytelling with a deep love of literature, offering a fresh and vibrant show for book and TV lovers alike.