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'The Lowdown' ropes in Tommy Lee Jones for Season 2 and the cast just got a major upgrade

Tommy Lee Jones has a string of TV roles and even won an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series telefilm, 'The Executioner's Song.'

FX's 'The Lowdown' Season 2 has another major casting update. After casting 'Glow' star Betty Gilpin earlier this month, Oscar winner Tommy Lee Jones has been tapped as the second new face in the comedy drama. Created by Sterlin Harjo, the series follows a citizen journalist, Lee Raybon (Ethan Hawke), a self-proclaimed Tulsa 'truthstorian,' whose quest for the truth lands him in trouble.

The debut season sees him as a character determined to expose corruption, putting him at further risk. The storyline sees his latest exposé – a detailed view into the powerful Washberg family, immediately followed by the suicide of Dale Washberg (Tim Blake Nelson). Lee believes he is onto something big, and he starts following the death trail.

The first season also starred Keith David, along with guest stars Jeanne Tripplehorn, Ryan Kiera Armstrong, Michael 'Killer Mike' Render, Kyle MacLachlan, Kaniehtiio Horn, Tracy Letts, Peter Dinklage, and the late Graham Greene. The success of the debut season led to the hit series being renewed for a second season. Production is set to go on floors in Tulsa this Spring. The roster of EPs includes Harjo, Garrett Basch, Hawke, Ryan Hawke, Duffy Boudreau, and Scott Teems. Barring Jones and Gilpin's additions, there isn't much on the Season 2 front.

At the time of writing, there is no word from FX on when the second instalment is likely to premiere, or any details on Jones and Gilpin's roles. Should it follow Season 1's fall release, we can expect another September release in 2027.

Last year, the series premiered with two episodes on FX at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on Tuesday, September 23.

The remaining eight episodes aired weekly. It remains to be seen if Season 2 follows the same pattern. 'The Lowdown' opened to positive reviews from critics. According to Rotten Tomatoes, the critics' consensus reads, "Brightening up its mysteries with a hometown affection for Tulsa and hanging its hat on Ethan Hawke's hangdog charisma, The Lowdown reaches impressive highs as pulpy entertainment." 

As for Jones, the actor has a decorated CV with a slew of roles in film and TV. The casting marks his first scripted TV Role in nearly 40 years. The actor won an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor for the telefilm 'The Executioner's Song' and later earned another Emmy nomination for Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Special for 'Lonesome Dove.'

His last TV project was the HBO telefilm 'The Sunset Limited,' which he directed and starred in alongside Samuel L. Jackson. At the time of writing, his upcoming film, 'The Razor's Edge', alongside James Franco, is currently in production. Directed and written by Demian Lichtenstein, the film was announced in 2024.