‘The Lowdown’: FX’s Noir Series To Be Submitted As Comedy For Emmys

With “Is The Bear a comedy?” debate still ongoing, FX is adding another title to the conversation, The Lowdown, opting to submit the hourlong noir series starring Ethan Hawke as a comedy for the 2026 Emmy Awards.

That is a shift for the show, which was submitted as a drama for the Golden Globes, guild and other awards races over the last several months. In FX’s January Season 2 renewal announcement, The Lowdown was labeled as a “Western-noir drama.” The series’ biggest awards recognition to date has been making AFI Awards’ list of the Top 10 television programs of 2025.

The reclassification decision, which is certain to draw attention — and raise a few eyebrows — was made by FX after consultations with series’ creator/executive producer Sterlin Harjo and star/executive producer Hawke, sources said.

Fueled by the comedic sensibilities of Harjo, co-creator of FX’s Reservation Dogs — a half-hour comedy-drama that competed as comedy,…