Podcast Summary: All Of It with Alison Stewart

Episode: Sterlin Harjo's New Series 'The Lowdown'
Date: September 22, 2025
Host: Alison Stewart (WNYC)
Guest: Sterlin Harjo (Creator, 'Reservation Dogs', 'The Lowdown')

Episode Overview

In this episode, Alison Stewart interviews filmmaker and showrunner Sterlin Harjo about his new FX series The Lowdown. The discussion covers Harjo’s inspirations, the evolution of the show, its ties to Tulsa and Oklahoma’s history, the development of its characters (especially Lee Raybon, played by Ethan Hawke), and the broader cultural and thematic resonances with Harjo's previous work, most notably Reservation Dogs. The conversation is rich with insights into storytelling, community, the complexities of truth-seeking, and the influence of place on narrative art.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Inspiration Behind The Lowdown

• Harjo explains that the main character, Lee Raybon, was inspired by a real friend—a tenacious local journalist in Tulsa. Lee’s relentless quest for truth and disregard for material gain inspire the show's arc.
  • Quote (Sterlin Harjo, 03:33): “He’s just one of those people, I think that, you know, was in deep pursuit of the truth and kind of at any cost ... his concern was never making money. It was always just, like, fighting for the truth.”
• Harjo reflects on how this real-life inspiration mirrored his own period of artistic uncertainty and personal challenges, especially as a parent and creator.
  • Quote (Sterlin Harjo, 04:39): “As long as I keep doing what’s truthful to me, someday the financial and everything else will catch up.”

2. The Character of Lee Raybon

• Lee is a "truth historian," a rare bookseller–journalist entangled in Tulsa’s corruption.

• He’s described as earnest, righteous, and flawed—someone who often “oversteps,” but is deeply respected by those around him for his authenticity.

  • Quote (Sterlin Harjo, 05:45): “They know that his pursuits are noble and sometimes he goes about them in crazy ways ... but they believe in him because he believes in the truth so much.”

• Lee’s relationship with his daughter underlines his motivation—a theme that resonates with Harjo’s personal life.

  • Quote (Sterlin Harjo, 06:56): “That’s who the work is for ... he needs to show her that there are things that are bigger than us that are noble to fight for.”

3. Tulsa as a Character; The Show’s Setting

• Harjo discusses Tulsa’s complex history—its diversity, conflicted past (including the Tulsa Race Massacre), and its underexplored collision of cultures.
• The show is, like Reservation Dogs, less focused on an individual and more on a whole community.
  • Quote (Sterlin Harjo, 08:09): “I wanted to really just tell this story that... was a representative of the past and the present of Tulsa, Oklahoma ... I’m interested in all the characters that make that community up.”

4. Casting and Collaborations

• Tim Blake Nelson (a Tulsa native), Jeannie Tripplehorn, Tracy Letts, and Ethan Hawke are noted for their deep ties to Tulsa and their resonance with the project.

• Hawke’s involvement is both as actor and close creative collaborator.

  • Quote (Sterlin Harjo, 13:05): “We just picked up, like, as soon as we met. It was like being in the middle of a conversation with an old friend ... that conversation hasn’t stopped with us.”

• Fun detail: Genuine appearances and physicality (including Hawke and Nelson’s real—non-veneered—teeth) add to the show’s texture and realism.

  • Quote (Sterlin Harjo, 14:51): “No [veneers]! It’s so refreshing, right?... It’s like, wow. It’s a real human being.”

5. Killer Mike’s Role

• Rapper Killer Mike debuts as Lee’s editor, Cyrus Arnold, bringing unexpected sensitivity and commitment.

  • Quote (Sterlin Harjo, 15:05): “He came on set and he was... nervous, but he took it very seriously ... there’s a lot of rappers that act and they look stupid. I just don’t want to look stupid.”
  • Harjo reassures him: “I will never let you look stupid.”

• Notable line from Killer Mike’s character, cited for its humor and poignancy:

  • Quote (Killer Mike as Cyrus, 16:11): “‘Well-meaning white men, the saddest of the bunch.’”

6. The Art of the ‘Hang’ in Harjo’s Work

• Harjo describes his affection for the so-called ‘hang’—moments of everyday life, downtime, and unscripted being. He frames it as key to both Reservation Dogs and, to a lesser extent, The Lowdown, anchoring both shows in community and character rather than plot alone.
  • Quote (Sterlin Harjo, 17:16): “There’s so much that you can learn from people when they’re not kicking in a door ... life is the hang there ... you have to invent your fun.”
  • Jim Jarmusch is mentioned as an inspiration regarding the interest in characters “waiting on the bus.” (17:25)

7. Genre and Visual Style

• The Lowdown borrows stylistically from 1970s film noir—Harjo cites The Long Goodbye and other genre influences.
  • Quote (Sterlin Harjo, 19:51): “A lot of those are from the ‘70s ... my job is to, you know, especially with genre... I am acknowledging my influences and then trying to do something, you know, new with it.”

8. Story Distribution Format

• The show will be released weekly, a format Harjo prefers for building anticipation and ongoing conversation.
  • Quote (Sterlin Harjo, 20:50): “I like the idea of each week having something to talk about, which is last week’s episode.”

9. The Influence of Robert Redford and Sundance

• Harjo credits Robert Redford and the Sundance Institute for supporting his journey and empowering indigenous filmmakers.
  • Quote (Sterlin Harjo, 21:34): “I wouldn’t be sitting here without Robert Redford and his vision... He fought for indigenous voices in cinema ... he played the long game.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On truth and inspiration:

  “As long as I keep doing what’s truthful to me, someday the financial and everything else will catch up.”
  (Sterlin Harjo, 04:39)

• On Lee Raybon’s character:

  “They know that his pursuits are noble ... they believe in him because he believes in the truth so much.”
  (Sterlin Harjo, 05:45)

• On the sadness of “well-meaning white men”:

  “‘Well-meaning white men, the saddest of the bunch.’”
  (Killer Mike as Cyrus, 16:11)

• On the art of the ‘hang’:

  “Life is the hang there. It’s like there’s nothing to do sometimes, and you have to tell stories and you have to make art and you have to invent your fun.”
  (Sterlin Harjo, 17:16)

• On honoring influences rather than reinventing the wheel:

  “I am acknowledging my influences and then trying to do something, you know, new with it. And if I do that, then I feel like I succeeded.”
  (Sterlin Harjo, 19:51)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:56-04:39 — Inspiration behind Lee Raybon and Harjo's personal connection
• 05:26-06:56 — Lee’s complexity, motivation, and relationship with his daughter
• 08:09-10:41 — Tulsa’s unique cultural/historic background and its impact on the story
• 13:05-14:46 — Partnership and chemistry with Ethan Hawke
• 15:02-16:03 — Killer Mike’s acting process and his character’s memorable lines
• 17:16-18:45 — The ‘art of the hang’ in Harjo’s storytelling
• 19:44-20:38 — Visual style and genre influences
• 21:34-23:00 — Reflection on Robert Redford’s influence and Sundance

Tone and Takeaways

The conversation is open, authentic, and infused with warmth and humor. Harjo expresses deep gratitude for his collaborators and mentors, reflects honestly on creative struggles, and warmly celebrates the culture and community of Tulsa. The discussion offers a window into how modern American TV can confront history, celebrate overlooked communities, and experiment within genre—all while centering authentic relationships and the sometimes messy pursuit of truth.

If you’re curious about The Lowdown, it’s a character-driven noir that’s as much about a city and its communities as the “mad truth historian” who stirs up trouble to make things right—and carries plenty of hangout spirit and heart from its acclaimed creator’s earlier work.

The Lowdown premieres September 23rd on FX (9pm) and Hulu.