‘The Lowdown’ Star Reflects on Francis & Lee’s Father-Daughter Relationship
As the first season of The Lowdown concludes, viewers are left pondering the unresolved bond between Lee Raybon (Ethan Hawke) and his daughter, Francis (Ryan Kiera Armstrong). The finale, “The Sensitive Kind,” provided closure on Dale Washberg’s (Tim Blake Nelson) death but exposed the cost of Lee’s dangerous profession and its emotional toll on his daughter.
Exploring the Aftermath of the Finale
Ryan Kiera Armstrong shared insights into Francis’s mindset following the events of the finale. While her character faced numerous risks throughout the season, she admitted that Francis didn’t fully grasp the danger at first.
“I don’t think that she realized how big it was,” Armstrong said. “But I also think that she’s really intelligent for her age, and she knew something was up.”
Francis’s Moment of Expression
After Lee missed her parent-teacher conference, Francis chose to voice her feelings in a public way—through a poem at an open-mic event. The poem reflected the pain caused by her parents’ separation and especially her father’s absence.
“I read it, and at first I was really moved, and then the next thought was I have to make it really good,” Armstrong recalled. “It was also my last day on set, so I was like, I can’t regret anything, it has to be perfect.”
The Emotional Core
Through this scene, the show underscored the deep emotional ties and unspoken understanding between father and daughter—one built on mutual curiosity, disappointment, and care.
Author’s Summary: Ryan Kiera Armstrong reflects on the emotional complexities between Francis and her father Lee, revealing how their unresolved bond drives the heart of The Lowdown’s finale.