The FX series The Lowdown has quietly bolstered its Season 2 roster with two well-known performers. Industry sources confirm that Martha Plimpton and Clifton Collins Jr. are the latest additions, joining previously announced newcomers such as Tommy Lee Jones, Betty Gilpin, and Austin Amelio. Production and publicists are keeping the exact roles confidential, and showrunners have described the casting announcements as part of a larger creative expansion for the show. This move adds veteran screen presence to a cast built around Ethan Hawke, who leads the series. Under wraps is the term often used by networks when character names and motives are being withheld prior to official promotion.
Plimpton and Collins arrive as Season 2 seeks to broaden the narrative scope established in its first run. The original eight-episode season, which premiered on Sept. 23, 2026, earned critical praise for its blend of mystery and character-driven storytelling. The series was renewed for a second season in January 2026, and the current casting wave signals that producers are assembling a wide-ranging ensemble to deepen the central conspiracy at the show’s heart. For viewers, the additions promise layered performances and fresh dynamics with the existing ensemble.
Profiles: what each new addition brings
Martha Plimpton offers decades of experience across film, television and theater. Her early screen work includes notable films such as The Goonies (1985), The Mosquito Coast (1986) and Parenthood (1989), and she earned sitcom recognition on Raising Hope (2010–2014). More recently, Plimpton appeared in the 2026 film Mass and made television appearances on projects including HBO’s The Regime and Task. An Emmy nominee multiple times, she won for outstanding guest actress in a drama series in 2012. Her representation includes Innovative Artists and Markham, Froggatt and Irwin, aligning her with agencies experienced in placing established talent into prestige television.
Clifton Collins Jr. brings a record of rugged, nuanced characters across film and TV. He received an Emmy nomination in 2006 for his work on the FX miniseries Thief, and has since appeared in series such as Westworld, The Last Frontier, and Veronica Mars. On the big screen his credits include Train Dreams, Eddington, Jockey, Capote and Nightmare Alley. Collins is represented by CAA, MGMT Entertainment, and Yorn, Levine, Barnes, Krintzman, and his casting underlines the show’s commitment to performers with strong dramatic pedigrees and previous FX collaborations.
How Season 2 builds on the first season
The series centers on Ethan Hawke as Lee Raybon, a rare book dealer and self-styled “truthstorian” based in Tulsa, OK. In Season 1, Lee’s investigation into the influential Washberg family pulled him into a dangerous web of secrets, and the narrative relied heavily on a large supporting cast that included Keith David, Kyle MacLachlan, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Tim Blake Nelson, Ryan Kiera Armstrong, Michael “Killer Mike” Render, Kaniehtiio Horn, Tracy Letts, Peter Dinklage, and Graham Greene. Those relationships and conflicts appear poised to expand as new characters arrive to complicate loyalties and motives.
Production team and creative leadership
Sterlin Harjo, the creator of Reservations Dogs, created The Lowdown and serves as showrunner and an executive producer. Additional executive producers include Garrett Basch, Ethan Hawke, and Ryan Hawke. The series is produced by FX Productions, which has a track record of supporting auteur-driven series and assembling ensemble casts that mix Hollywood names with emerging talent. The involvement of established creatives suggests Season 2 will preserve the show’s tonal identity while adding new narrative threads.
Renewal and timing
The first season’s premiere on Sept. 23, 2026 set the stage for the renewal announcement in January 2026. That timeline has allowed the creative team to thoughtfully expand casting and storylines rather than rush a follow-up. With filming schedules, location scouting and narrative planning all moving forward, the addition of actors like Plimpton and Collins likely reflects targeted choices to deepen character arcs and raise the stakes for Hawke’s protagonist.
What viewers should watch for
While specific character names for Martha Plimpton and Clifton Collins Jr. remain confidential, their histories hint at the kinds of roles they might play: Plimpton’s blend of wit and emotional intelligence often suits complex confidantes or volatile insiders, while Collins’ intensity and range frequently lend themselves to morally ambiguous figures. Expect the performers to interact with returning ensemble members and with the Washberg storyline that drove Season 1’s central tension. Fans should keep an eye on official casting updates, trailers and press materials for the moment when the show finally reveals each new character’s ambitions and connections.
