Sterlin Harjo's Tulsa Noir Series 'The Lowdown' Premieres on FX, Streams on Hulu

Sterlin Harjo's new FX series "The Lowdown," which premiered in September 2025 and is streaming on Hulu, centers on Lee Raybon, a citizen journalist played by Ethan Hawke, who investigates corruption and hidden histories in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Harjo, a member of the Muscogee Creek tribe and Tulsa native, chose the city's noir underbelly as a fresh setting rarely explored on screen, aiming to uncover deep truths about Tulsa's past, including references to the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. The show honors the legacy of Lee Roy Chapman, a Tulsa historian and journalist who helped illuminate the city's racial history, and serves as Harjo's love letter to Tulsa. The cast includes notable actors like Kyle MacLachlan and Jeanne Tripplehorn, who have embraced Tulsa's culture and history during filming. Harjo’s inspiration to return to Oklahoma to create this series came from a conversation highlighting his passion for his home state, further emphasizing his commitment to telling authentic regional stories. "The Lowdown" combines Harjo's love for noir with a powerful examination of morality, truth-seeking, and community healing.