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The Lowdown takes place in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and that's not where it is. It's the whole premise of the show! This new crime noir series, led by Ethan Hawke, explores the unique character of Tulsa, utilizing the city as something greater than the backdrop and incorporating it into the heart of the story.
What is unique to The Lowdown is its mix of setting, premise, and location. Born out of an idea created by Sterlin Harjo, the show is about a town historian and citizen journalist whose quest for truth comes to a much greater enigma. And yes, Tulsa is spearheading the process of making that enigma a reality!
The setting of The Lowdown
Ultimately, it is a Tulsa show all the way. The entire show has an Oklahoma tie, both on and off the screen. As opposed to shows set somewhere, this show goes whole hog into the streets, neighborhoods, and culture of Tulsa. Taping on location in Tulsa adds credibility; fans will get the real deal, not studio imitations.
Tulsa is no random location; it's a city built on history, contention, and identity. Based here, the creators are, in fact, proposing that the city itself contributes to the noir atmosphere of the story.
The premise
The title character is Lee Raybon, as played by Ethan Hawke. Raybon's no detective-style detective, though; he's a rare bookstore employee who calls himself a truthstorian. He's a citizen reporter and historian of Tulsa, keeping himself occupied by digging up hidden truths.
Raybon's tale becomes sinister when one of his exposés is linked to a mysterious suicide. Instantly, the tale expands beyond his wildest imagination, drawing him into an insider ring of corruption, secrets, and risk. The Lowdown doesn't hang its hat on high-octane action; it's all about investigative grit, tenacity, and revealing unpleasant facts.
Genre and tone
Lowdown is part of the crime noir drama genre, whereby the show does not shy away from mystery, suspense, and moral compromise. The noir is also heightened by the setting of Tulsa since it provides the show with its own distinct identity. The darkness of the city, the understated nuances of the city's streets, and the complex background all help to form the narrative.
Sterlin Harjo's eye makes it anything but a typical crime show and makes it Tulsa-based. By interweaving noir style and Oklahoma geography, the series presents a new blend of realism and tension.
Production background
Before being renamed The Lowdown, the show originally started with the work title The Sensitive Kind. Once developed, FX formally acquired the show in 2024. Production started in Tulsa and neighboring Oklahoma regions, again making it more rooted in the state.
Production continued through more of 2025, with local and wider viewers waiting more eagerly for its release. Utilization of on-location shooting, more than shooting in Tulsa elsewhere, also helps to reinforce the significance of the city to the narrative. The Lowdown is grounded in its setting, and the decision to use Tulsa as a center is intentional.
Premiere and release details
On September 23, 2025, the program is scheduled to debut on FX. The show will be screened at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 4, 2025, prior to its television debut. That implies that audiences will get a chance to watch the show before its official launch at one of the most popular film festivals.
Production has been done by FX Productions, with Sterlin Harjo, Ethan Hawke, Garrett Basch, and Ryan Hawke as executive producers. Combining local storytelling and seasoned production insight makes The Lowdown an eagerly awaited undertaking.
Cast and characters
Ethan Hawke stars as Lee Raybon in The Lowdown. The show boasts a large ensemble cast and has guest stars in the form of Keith David, Kyle MacLachlan, Tim Blake Nelson, Kaniehtiio Horn, Jeanne Tripplehorn, and Ryan Kiera Armstrong. They all pitch in and help to grow the complicated story that evolves over the course of time in Tulsa.
With this combination of skills, the series is set to balance character complexity with a more common noir storyline. Though Ethan Hawke's character remains the show's engine, the supporting cast must sift through the range of viewpoints integrated into the drama.
Why Tulsa matters in The Lowdown
Why is the setting important? The Lowdown uses Tulsa as a living, breathing entity that is woven into the story. The city's personality, history, and world are incorporated into the story, giving it depth and realism.
One can feel the effect of Tulsa on the show. It provides the tone for the noir feel, roots the characters in an environment, and adds realism to the narrative. Plainly, The Lowdown would not be the same without Tulsa.
In short, the show is deeply rooted in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and this choice dictates every aspect of the show. From the setup of Lee Raybon's investigation to the hard-boiled noir design, Tulsa becomes the lens through which the series is constructed.
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Whether audiences tune in for Ethan Hawke's acting, Sterlin Harjo's writing, or the foreign location, the truth is: The Lowdown is based in Tulsa, and its crime drama noir would not be the same if it were not.
Also read: Ethan Hawke is in big trouble in the first trailer for The Lowdown
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