Common Sense Media Review
Cursing, violence as journo tackles crime and corruption.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
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Where to Watch
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The Lowdown
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
THE LOWDOWN follows Lee Raybon (Ethan Hawke), a freelance investigative journalist who's struggling to get his work read in a city overrun with corruption: Tulsa, Oklahoma. As he humbly runs his rare bookstore by day, he scrapes pennies together to get a proper living situation for his daughter (Ryan Kiera Armstrong). When a powerful man dies by suicide shortly after Lee publishes a hit piece on him, the journalist can smell that something's up. He uncovers the man's suicide note, exposing that there's more to the underbelly of Tulsa that led to his death. But as Lee tries to uncover the truth, he must learn who to trust (e.g., P.I. Marty, played by Keith David) and who in power wants him dead.
Is It Any Good?
This series is a riveting and rugged portrayal of Tulsa's history. The Lowdown is lively, exciting, and complex. The town is off-kilter, rough, and layered; and Hawke's portrayal of Lee Raybon matches that perfectly. The paths of mystery and pops of comedy keep up with the pacing of the story very well. The alcohol and smoking, violence, and language make this suitable for older teens.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about community. How are the townspeople portrayed in The Lowdown? What relationship does Lee have with various people in town? How does that affect his circumstances? What does your community look like?
What effect does violence in The Lowdown have? How does it compare to other shows in this genre? Is it necessary to tell the story? What's the impact of media violence on kids?
TV Details
- Premiere date : September 23, 2025
- Cast : Ethan Hawke , Keith David , Ryan Kiera Armstrong
- Network : FX
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Activism ( Civic engagement , Racial justice ) , History
- TV rating :
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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