According to The Lowdown’s Tracy Letts, Swimming With Sharks Sealed Frank Martin’s Fate
Tracy Letts explains why joining A House of Dynamite and the upcoming Netflix limited series East of Eden was an easy decision.
Note: The following contains spoilers for The Lowdown.
About The Lowdown
Created, written, directed, and executive produced by Sterlin Harjo (Reservation Dogs), The Lowdown is an FX series centered on Lee Raybon (Ethan Hawke, also an EP), a self-styled “truthstorian” in Tulsa. Lee investigates the Washberg family amid a growing crisis.
Key Characters and Conflict
- Donald Washberg (Kyle MacLachlan) aims to become Oklahoma's next governor and wants to keep Lee away from probing his brother Dale’s (Tim Blake Nelson) suspicious death.
- Dale’s widow, Betty Jo (Jeanne Tripplehorn), is entangled in the story.
- A private investigator (Keith David) is hired by Donald to shadow Lee.
- Frank Martin (Tracy Letts), owner of Akron Construction, is involved in a shady political deal brokered by Donald.
Despite Donald’s efforts, Lee persistently disrupts his plans. When Frank Martin takes a risky step beyond expectations, it ultimately seals his destiny in a seemingly unavoidable way.
“When Frank goes further than even he thought he would, it seals his fate in a way that seemed inevitable.”
—The Lowdown
Author’s summary: Tracy Letts reveals how his character Frank Martin’s irreversible actions on The Lowdown defined his tragic fate amid political intrigue and relentless investigation.