FX’s The Lowdown — “Pilot” Episode 1 — Pictured: Ethan Hawke as Lee Raybon. CR: Shane Brown/FX
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“I love the expression “truthstorian,” first of all, ’cause it’s not really a word,” says Ethan Hawke as he’s describing his character in The Lowdown.
In the series, Hawk plays bookstore owner and self-proclaimed ‘truthstorian’ Lee Rybon, who finds himself in deep when he digs into local corruption in his hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma.
In addition to Hawe, the series stars Kyle MacLachan, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Keith David and Tim Blake Nelson. Hawke also serves as and executive producer on the series. The Lowdown was created by Sterlin Harjo, who also is an executive producer, writer and director on the series.
Hawke goes on to say, “It’s a true thing for Lee, which is that the intersection of truth and history is so needed that without understanding where we come from, we don’t understand where we are, and so the connection of those two words — it’s also sloppy and kind of a trainwreck of an expression — it’s hard to say, and it [seems] very perfect for Lee.”
He adds that, “I’m always drawn to people who really do want to follow their dreams. And following your dreams as an adult — it’s easy to say to kids — but when you get into adult life with all the responsibilities that you’re met with, [you have to compromise a lot]. And Lee doesn’t, but there’s a price to be paid, and that largely shows up in his relationship with his family.”
Harjo explains that the setting plays a key role in the narrative. “Tulsa felt like the right place to set a noir. I mean, we’ve explored, in noir, Los Angeles, New York City and even New Orleans. But, there’s so much political and cultural activity happening in the middle of the country and Tulsa felt like the right place. It has the right amount of grit, the right amount of history, the right amount of secrets to set this story in, and for a show that’s about someone fighting for truth, there’s a longstanding need for the truth in a place like Oklahoma. So, that’s where we find our hero.”
Hawke adds, “And there’s such a strong sense of community in Tulsa, Oklahoma. People are really rooting for each other. A lot of people [are] making art for art’s sake, whereas when you get to New York or LA, everybody’s making something to get somewhere else. And it feels like the creativity that you’re running into is extremely authentic. The past is very present —you’re aware in the architecture and the streets and the way people talk. It has a very, very deep past that is representative of America as a whole.”
As for the ‘citizen journalism’ angle, Harjo explains, “I think that The Lowdown is about searching for the truth when it feels it’s not reachable and balancing your life and moving forward and still trying to grasp the truth, and that is a very noble endeavor.”
He’s quick to continue this thought, saying, “I think that’s all we have left, you know? We have citizen journalists, and it’s up to individuals — it’s not up to corporations, it’s not up to who pays your check — it’s up to individuals that care and want to pursue the truth. I think it’s what we’ve always needed, we need people to fight for the truth, and I think it’s one of the most important things right now.”
The idea of this story, ‘is old’ in a way, says Hawke. However, he believes, “it’s falling at a time because the show’s full of love. It’s full of wit and humor and silliness, and it’s got an undercurrent of a really honest conversation about who we are and how we can intersect with each other and hold multiple truths at the same time.”
Harjo agrees, summarizing a bit as he says, “We need people like Lee. We journalists, we need people on the frontlines of morality and we need people not to give up on that search for truth. Yes, it’s gonna be hard. Yes, you have your life, and you have health and you have real-world experiences that you have to deal with, but the truth is noble endeavor., and I think that that’s what this show is at its heart.”
‘The Lowdown’ premieres Tuesday, September 23rd at 9e/p on FX and will be available for streaming the next day on Hulu.