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 investigative journalist uncovering sinister events in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
A Show Made for Book Lovers
Partly set in a bookstore, the series draws inspiration from old Jim Thompson novels. It stands out as a rare show that celebrates readers, writers, and book enthusiasts while delivering an unpredictable and thrilling crime story. Be advised, it contains some adult themes.
Description and Highlights
- The plot centers around a bookstore and includes a nod to Tulsa’s Magic City Books.
- Early in the series, the line “You must be a writer” is humorously used as a playful insult in a way only a writer could appreciate.
- A Joe Brainard painting featured in the show is directly based on an actual artwork.
Creative Team and Cast
The writing team includes Sterlin Harjo and screenwriters Liz Blood, Oliva Purnell, and Sneha Koorse, with contributions from acclaimed crime novelists Walter Mosley and Lou Berney. The cast features many talented actors, including several who are writers themselves.
“You must be a writer” is used as a punchline in a way that only a writer could conjure up – and then love the insult so much that it didn’t get cut.
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Author’s summary: Sterlin Harjo’s “The Lowdown” masterfully blends literary passion and crime drama, making it an unmissable series for lovers of books and thrilling storytelling alike.