FX’s The Lowdown has quickly become one of the breakout TV hits of 2025. Premiering in September, the series has earned rave reviews for its sharp writing, layered performances, and gritty depiction of small-town journalism. Created by Reservation Dogs co-creator Sterlin Harjo, the show has been praised for its authenticity and moral depth, positioning it as a worthy successor to FX’s long tradition of character-driven dramas.
At the centre of the series is Ethan Hawke as Lee Raybon, a flawed yet determined “truthstorian” a citizen journalist in Tulsa who exposes local corruption at great personal cost. Opposite him, Ryan Kiera Armstrong plays his teenage daughter, Francis, a role that quickly became a fan favourite for its emotional complexity and growth.
The show’s powerful first season concluded in November 2025, leaving fans eager to know: Will The Lowdown return for Season 2?
Overview: FX’s The Lowdown Season 1 at a Glance
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Series Title | The Lowdown |
| Platform | FX / Hulu (Streaming) |
| Premiere Date | September 2025 |
| Season 1 Finale | November 2025 |
| Showrunner | Sterlin Harjo (Reservation Dogs) |
| Main Cast | Ethan Hawke, Ryan Kiera Armstrong, Keith David, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Kyle MacLachlan |
| Genre | Crime Drama / Psychological Thriller |
| Rotten Tomatoes Score | 98% (Critics), 94% (Audience) |
| Setting | Tulsa, Oklahoma |
| Filming Locations | Oklahoma City, Tulsa, and Austin, Texas |
Ryan Kiera Armstrong on Season 2: “Fingers Crossed”
In a recent interview with TVLine, 15-year-old rising star Ryan Kiera Armstrong offered a hopeful update on the possibility of The Lowdown returning for another season.
“I’m ready for it all. Fingers crossed for Season 2. I am ready. Sterlin [Harjo], call me — I will be there!” Armstrong said enthusiastically.
While FX has not officially renewed the show, Armstrong’s optimism and the network’s glowing critical reception suggest a strong likelihood of renewal.
“I would love to go back to Tulsa and work with that exceptional crew and Ethan and that amazing team,” Armstrong added. “With Francis, I’m ready to see more journeys with her and Lee. Maybe some fighting action, I don’t know.”
Her comments echo the sentiments of many viewers who praised the father-daughter dynamic as the emotional core of The Lowdown.
Entertainment analyst Carla Ruiz notes,
“Armstrong and Hawke share an electric chemistry that elevates the series beyond its crime drama roots — it’s a story about truth, family, and survival.”
Inside the Story of The Lowdown
Set against the backdrop of a modern Tulsa wracked by corruption, The Lowdown follows Lee Raybon (Ethan Hawke), a former newspaper columnist turned independent truth-seeker. Lee uses his online blog and camera to expose injustices, often crossing dangerous lines between investigative reporting and vigilante tactics.
His daughter, Francis (Ryan Kiera Armstrong), is caught between admiration and frustration for her father’s crusade. As the series unfolds, Francis evolves from a bystander into a young woman with a voice of her own, confronting lies, power, and her father’s demons.
Critics have praised Armstrong’s performance as “emotionally raw and remarkably mature,” describing her as “the beating heart of the show.”
Veteran actor Keith David, who plays Reverend Clarence Tolliver, said in an interview,
“Ryan’s energy on set reminded me of working with the greats. She’s fearless — that’s what this role needed.”
Why The Lowdown Is Being Called FX’s “Tulsa King Replacement”?
| Comparison Point | Tulsa King (Paramount+) | The Lowdown (FX) |
|---|---|---|
| Lead Actor | Sylvester Stallone | Ethan Hawke |
| Genre | Crime Drama / Gangster | Crime Thriller / Investigative |
| Setting | Tulsa, Oklahoma | Tulsa, Oklahoma |
| Tone | Stylish, pulpy action | Introspective, realistic tension |
| Audience Appeal | Mafia power struggles | Ethical journalism, family drama |
| Critical Reception | Mixed to Positive | Widespread acclaim (98%) |
While Tulsa King brought a stylized, action-packed look at organized crime in Oklahoma, The Lowdown dives deeper into the moral gray areas of truth-telling and corruption.
Entertainment Weekly critic James Peterson explains,
“If Tulsa King was about power, The Lowdown is about truth — and the price of chasing it.”
FX reportedly greenlit the show as part of a broader effort to explore more grounded, contemporary American stories something The Lowdown delivers in spades.
Armstrong Reflects on Playing Francis
In her TVLine interview, Armstrong reflected on her character’s emotional transformation throughout Season 1:
“I love the journey that she goes on herself. She’s changing a lot, as every teenager does every day. But I feel like Francis is changing as a person so much, and you can really see that throughout the season.”
She added that portraying Francis’s emotional struggles from fear and confusion to courage and independence was one of the most rewarding roles of her young career.
“Now she’s a little stronger. She changes so much as a person. I love challenges like that and creating that arc and that journey. It was really fun to do.”
Acting coach and industry critic Monica Taylor praised Armstrong’s authenticity:
“Ryan brings a quiet power to Francis. You believe her pain, her frustration, her courage — all without losing the teenage vulnerability that makes her human.”
What’s Next for Ryan Kiera Armstrong: The New Buffy Reboot
While awaiting news on The Lowdown Season 2, Armstrong is already gearing up for her next major role, the Hulu reboot of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The young star will play a brand-new Slayer named Nova, a modern reimagining of the chosen warrior tasked with fighting supernatural evil.
| Project | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | Buffy the Vampire Slayer (Reboot) |
| Platform | Hulu |
| Role | Nova, the new Slayer |
| Announcement Date | August 2025 |
| Release Date | TBD (Expected 2026) |
| Original Series Star | Sarah Michelle Gellar (1997–2003) |
| Favorite Episode (Armstrong’s Choice) | “The Body” (Season 5, Episode 16) |
Armstrong revealed her admiration for the original Buffy series, calling it “a masterpiece of writing and character work.”
“It’s hard to pick a favorite episode,” she said. “Maybe The Body. It’s sad, but so beautifully done. The entire series is amazing, and if you haven’t seen the original Buffy, you should.”
That episode choice often cited by fans and critics as one of TV’s most emotional underscores Armstrong’s deep appreciation for character-driven storytelling, a hallmark she also brings to The Lowdown.
Recent Updates
- November 2025: The Lowdown concludes its first season on FX and Hulu.
- December 2025: Ryan Kiera Armstrong confirms hopes for Season 2, awaiting FX’s renewal decision.
- October 2025: The Lowdown earns a 98% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes and multiple awards buzz.
- August 2025: Armstrong announced as lead in Hulu’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot.
- July 2025: FX confirms The Lowdown reached record viewership for a new fall drama.
Why Fans Want a Second Season?
The Lowdown’s success comes from its perfect blend of suspense, humanity, and moral inquiry. Each episode digs into themes of truth, power, and redemption, wrapped in stunning performances and cinematic visuals.
Ethan Hawke’s raw, understated portrayal of Lee Raybon anchors the series, but it’s Armstrong’s Francis who gives it emotional resonance embodying the next generation’s struggle between cynicism and hope.
Television critic David Langan summarized it best:
“The Lowdown is not just a show about corruption. It’s a story about how we tell stories — who owns the truth, and who’s brave enough to tell it.”
With those themes and the show’s critical acclaim, it’s hard to imagine FX not moving forward with a second season.
FAQs
FX has not yet confirmed a renewal, but lead star Ryan Kiera Armstrong says she’s hopeful and “ready” to return.
It follows a Tulsa-based journalist (Ethan Hawke) who risks everything to expose corruption while raising his teenage daughter.
All episodes are currently streaming on Hulu.
She stars as Nova, the new Slayer, in Hulu’s upcoming Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot.
No direct connection, but both shows explore themes of morality, loyalty, and truth in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
