Hawke: Character's Chaos Mirrors Actor's Own

Ethan Hawke immediately connected with Lee Raybon, the "truthstorian" at the heart of FX's "The Lowdown," viewing the character as a reflection of his own youthful idealism and complexities. Hawke shared that he related to Lee's "man-child" nature, finding both stupidity and beauty in it. He praised creator Sterlin Harjo's authentic character creation and the collaborative spirit of the Tulsa-based crew.

The show's set decorator, Tafv Sampson, detailed the intentional design of Lee's key spaces. His used bookstore, "Hoot Owl Books," was built from the ground up to be his "kingdom," meticulously stocked with books reflecting his unique worldview. Lee's apartment upstairs was designed to represent his inner mental state, a place of chaos but also a haven for his daughter, Francis.

Subtle details, such as the choice of pillowcases—a sweet, childlike design when his daughter visited versus a punk-inspired T-shirt when he was alone—further illustrate Lee's dual nature. These elements, even if not overtly visible, contributed significantly to creating a believable, three-dimensional character. The team even consulted with the actual person Lee Raybon was based on to ensure authenticity, to the point where locals sometimes mistook the set for a real bookstore.