Ethan Hawke’s ‘The Lowdown’ Is the Best Show You’re Not Watching

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October is usually filled with spooky creatures, so it’s easy to miss new shows. But don’t overlook Ethan Hawke’s latest series, The Lowdown. Created by Sterlin Harjo, who brought us Reservation Dogs, this gritty, Southern-set mystery takes place in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Hawke plays Lee Raybon, a local historian who gets caught up in a murder and a conspiracy involving a wealthy and troubled family.

What truly makes “The Lowdown” stand out is Hawke’s fantastic portrayal of a captivating, yet imperfect, investigator. Harjo expertly balances suspenseful crime elements with a warm, inviting atmosphere, making it a thoroughly enjoyable watch. Although releasing most of the episodes in October, amidst all the horror content, might not have been ideal, this is currently the best show on television and deserves a wider audience.

‘The Lowdown’s Captivating Hook


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Created by Sterlin Harjo (known for Reservation Dogs), The Lowdown is a brand new story that mixes crime, dark humor, and the style of classic noir films. Ethan Hawke stars as Lee Raybon, a controversial figure in Tulsa, Oklahoma, who stirs up trouble wherever he goes. Lee is a self-described “truthstorian” – he owns a rare bookstore and uses his deep knowledge of Tulsa’s history to solve crimes as a hobby.

Okay, so the movie immediately throws you into the thick of it. We find out this journalist, Lee, really burned the Washberg family with an exposé he wrote years ago. Naturally, they don’t take it well – they send these seriously intimidating skinheads after him to try and shut him up and bury their secrets. That’s when Lee teams up with a private investigator, Marty, and together they start uncovering some really disturbing connections between the Washbergs and the Ku Klux Klan. And it gets even bigger – Donald Washberg is actually running for Governor, which means this corruption goes all the way to the top, influencing pretty much everyone in power.

I’m really getting into this story about Lee and his investigation into the Washbergs. It’s fascinating how he’s uncovering more and more, and he’s meeting some incredibly memorable people along the way. There’s Cyrus, this tabloid editor – Killer Mike, seriously great casting – who’s willing to publish Lee’s findings about the Washbergs’ connection to the KKK, and even gives him a gun for protection. Then there’s Ray, an antiques dealer who knows everything about Tulsa’s history, and Lee ends up doing a little quid pro quo with him to get information. It’s a wild ride, and these characters really add to the tension.

‘The Lowdown’s Real-Life Inspiration


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Even just the captivating idea behind The Lowdown makes it worth watching, but knowing it’s based on a real person makes it truly compelling. The character Lee Raybon is inspired by Lee Roy Chapman, a local hero in Tulsa who fearlessly investigated crime and fought for justice as an independent journalist.

Beginning in 2010, Chapman wrote for This Land Press, a publication based in Tulsa. In 2011, he published an article titled The Nightmare of Dreamland: Tate Brady and the Battle for Greenwood, which revealed that W. Tate Brady, a founder of Tulsa, was connected to the KKK and involved in the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. Chapman’s work exposed deep-rooted racism within Tulsa’s leadership, and in 2013, the city responded by renaming Brady Street and changing the Brady Arts District to the Tulsa Arts District.

Chapman was committed to honesty and fairness, but also had a creative side that Ethan Hawke beautifully captures in his performance. The show, The Lowdown, portrays the Washberg family much like The Brady Bunch, making the story feel real and relatable. Even with all the drama and craziness, the show is based on actual events, offering a compelling glimpse into the past.

Sadly, Chapman passed away in 2015 at the age of 46. The Lowdown is a loving tribute to this Tulsa icon, who wasn’t afraid to challenge the status quo while always striving to reveal the truth and improve the city. With its accuracy, important message, talented cast, and Harjo’s unique storytelling style, The Lowdown is a standout TV show.

Why You Should Watch ‘The Lowdown’


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Ethan Hawke’s captivating performance is the strongest part of The Lowdown. He brings a charming, yet flawed, quality to his portrayal of Lee, making you genuinely want him to succeed in uncovering the truth about the Washberg family. What’s particularly impressive is that the film, both in its writing and Hawke’s acting, avoids simply glorifying the real-life Lee Roy Chapman, instead presenting a more nuanced and realistic character.

As someone who loves a good biopic, I was really struck by how ‘The Lowdown’ approached the story of Lee. It would have been so easy to just show him as a perfect hero, but the filmmakers smartly chose to show all his flaws and mistakes. It made him feel incredibly human – a man with strong beliefs trying to do the right thing, but constantly stumbling along the way. Ethan Hawke gets this perfectly, and it’s a performance unlike anything I’ve seen from him before. He really embodies that messy, relatable side of Lee.

Beyond Hawke’s standout performance, Joy Harjo deserves praise for expertly blending classic noir elements with dark humor and a surprisingly warm atmosphere. While the central mystery surrounding the Washbergs’ connection to the KKK keeps you hooked, it’s the show’s relaxed pace and enjoyable interactions with its memorable characters that truly draw you in. By combining serious historical events with a remarkably easygoing style, The Lowdown achieves a unique and compelling quality that’s hard to match.

I have to say, the supporting cast in The Lowdown is just as amazing as the leads. Seriously, it’s packed with talent – Tim Blake Nelson, Tracy Letts, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Peter Dinklage, Tom McCarthy, Tisha Campbell, Macon Blair, and even the wonderful Graham Greene, who we sadly lost on September 1, 2025. They’re all such accomplished actors, and they really bring these incredibly vibrant characters to life. It’s fantastic to see so much proven talent in one show!

Like Martin Scorsese’s film Killers of the Flower Moon, the show The Lowdown aims to bring a forgotten tragedy to light – the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. By examining this dark chapter of the past and condemning present-day hate groups, the show draws parallels between history and current dangers. You can watch The Lowdown now on Hulu.

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2025-10-30 21:37