‘The Lowdown’ Creator Sterlin Harjo Explains THAT Character’s Finale Decision and Season 2 Plans
Sterlin Harjo, creator, writer, director, and executive producer, discusses the direction of his FX series The Lowdown and what inspired its standout moments and characters. The story follows citizen journalist Lee Raybon, portrayed by Ethan Hawke, who calls himself a “truthstorian” while investigating the unexplained death of Dale Washberg in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
“Lee is basically a good guy with his heart in the right place, but his tendency to attract trouble and danger puts him at risk of disappointing his daughter,” Harjo explains.
Harjo, known for his work on the acclaimed three-season comedy Reservation Dogs, says that experience gave him the confidence to experiment more freely and collaborate with actors eager to join his projects. Through The Lowdown, he explores complex human relationships and the blurred line between curiosity and obsession.
Story and Characters
- Lee Raybon’s investigation begins after the death of Dale Washberg, played by Tim Blake Nelson.
- The story features a cast including Kyle MacLachlan as Donald Washberg, Jeanna Tripplehorn as Betty Jo, Paul Sparks as a white supremacist church leader, and Keith David as a private investigator.
- The storyline dives into family tensions, grief, and moral conflicts within an Oklahoma community.
Creative Influences
Harjo cites film influences and a formative class he attended on David Lynch at the University of Oklahoma as shaping his storytelling style. His creative approach emphasizes atmosphere, tension, and humor rooted in regional authenticity.
Season 2 Vision
The creator hints that the next season will push Lee further into moral and emotional chaos as his investigation deepens, blending dark comedy with psychological intrigue.
Author's summary: Sterlin Harjo draws on past successes and cinematic influences to bring depth, humor, and tension to The Lowdown, a series about truth, danger, and flawed humanity in small-town Oklahoma.