Ethan Hawke’s new thriller TV show, The Lowdown, has debuted to an almost perfect Rotten Tomatoes score from critics ahead of its two-episode premiere on FX. The Hawke-led TV show sees him portraying Lee Raybon, an independent “truthstorian” from Tulsa, Oklahoma. The show follows him learning about a conspiracy surrounding the Washberg family after he publishes a piece about them.
Now, Rotten Tomatoes has reported that The Lowdown has debuted to a strong, near-perfect score from critics. As of writing, the FX thriller has a 94% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 18 reviews, signaling near-universal praise for the series. Hawke’s show, which airs later tonight, is already making a good impression on critics prior to its upcoming two-episode premiere.
What The Lowdown’s Rotten Tomatoes Score Says About The Show
The Lowdown is created by Sterlin Harjo, best known for being the co-creator behind the FX comedy Reservation Dogs. Hawke’s show is anticipated to have a similar humor tinged with the larger conspiracy that his character will be unraveling across all eight episodes. Given its overall score, it seems this mixture has paid off rather handsomely.
According to critics, The Lowdown has engaging storytelling that’s made all the stronger by Harjo’s writing and its stellar cast. This includes Hawke, but also stars like Ryan Kiera Armstrong, Tim Blake Nelson, Kaniehtiio Horn, Kyle McLachlan, and Kieth David. It’s bolstered by their unique characters and their roles in the entertaining mystery as more gets unveiled throughout.
The series is also notable for being Hawke’s first starring role in a live-action TV show since 2022’s Moon Knight, where he played the antagonistic Arthur Harrow. It’ll also be his second time working with Harjo, having guest starred on the cast of Reservation Dogs as Elora’s father, Rick Miller, in season 3, episode 9.
Our Take On The Lowdown’s Stellar Rotten Tomatoes Score
Given how well-received Hawke’s latest projects have been, coupled with the critical success Harjo enjoyed through Reservation Dogs, it’s not a surprise the duo’s collaborative effort has resulted in an entertaining, comedic, and intriguing thriller. Its debut score is promising ahead of its premiere, which could garner just as much praise from general audiences as episodes arrive weekly.
Carrying the promise of a fun, engaging storyline that’s always moving, The Lowdown seems like another TV highlight for Hawke’s career. The talent behind the camera, with Harjo as showrunner, is another promising point, signifying how the show was able to achieve so much praise. Just how entertaining it is will be further proven when it premieres tonight.
The Lowdown begins with a two-episode premiere Tuesday, September 23 at 9 p.m. ET on FX.
- Release Date
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September 23, 2025
- Directors
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Sterlin Harjo
