Damson Idris went to a really dark place in order to complete Snowfall season 6. Speaking on a roundtable with other performers, Idris revealed he wanted to go dark for the conclusion of Franklin Saint, and it had real-life repercussions he didn’t expect.
In the season, Saint was called the devil, and he was aiming to get as deep into character as possible.
“This last season, I was hitting a block, and I went into a corner and went ‘come on devil, come on devil, come to me, come to me,” Idris revealed. “I had nightmares for a month. I had nightmares every day. I felt that energy. I had to pray and do all this stuff to get rid of it. I called my mom up and asked her to ‘bring me back to life.’ That stuff is real.”
Idris had to do a lot for Snowfall‘s sixth and final season, which ended with Franklin Saint walking the streets of Los Angeles, an alcoholic and now homeless, much like his father Alton.
The series’ closing moments were the final pieces of a teardown that once saw Saint flying as high as private jets and piloting his own planes. His girlfriend and mother of his son, Veronique, gone, in the wind, with the last of Franklin’s money. His Aunt Louie is on the run for life from federal authorities. Leon and Wanda are bouncing back and forth between Africa and Los Angeles. Franklin’s mom, Cissy, is presumed to spend the rest of her life in prison.
Speaking with Deadlineafter the series had concluded, the actor who portrayed Franklin Saint, Damson Idris, pulled back the curtain on filming those final moments of the series.
“His final moments were incredibly challenging. There was a fatherhood connection there, which I connected to personally so it was deeply emotional for me. Franklin’s connection to his father and his becoming an alcoholic was incredibly difficult,” Idris said.
He added, “Behind the scenes, I had a little flask with me that no one knew about. I would touch it with my lips just to have the taste. I’ll also admit that I didn’t shower. Luckily I wasn’t disrupting anyone with any odors.”
You can read more about the final episode of Snowfall here via Deadline.
The cocaine saga Snowfall debuted on television screens in July 2017. Although its viciousness doesn’t provide the average viewer with exciting thrills, it serves as an astringent reminder of morality. The show indulges its audience through its nostalgic portrayal of Los Angeles in the mid-1980s and pays homage to John Singleton’s vision of the city. Set against the beginning of the crack cocaine epidemic and its transformative impact on culture, the story follows a selection of characters headed for a violent rendezvous. Here are the best seasons of Snowfall.
6. Season 5
The fifth season of Snowfall delves into the demise of Len Bias, an athlete who tragically succumbed to a heart attack due to cocaine abuse. The story, focusing on the main character Franklin and his thriving illegal drug business, has him navigating a new market, one saturated with competition. As he strives to remain at the forefront of this industry, the season examines the impacts of cocaine in all its facets. From underworld dealings to personal losses, viewers watch Franklin’s progress as he battles the changing dynamics of the illicit cocaine trade.
5. Season 6
Battles for power, dominion, and riches have reached an irreversible climax in the sixth and final season. However, the battle that matters most is the one for Franklin Saint’s soul. His wit has enabled him to evade crisis after calamity but with a dreadful price. Since beginning his journey, he has developed an entire empire underscoring wealth yet destroying the lives of countless others. Unwinding his narrative is an American story full of sharp contrasts and brutality entwined together, making escape impossible.
In these opening two episodes, this plotline comes into focus. Despite trying to flee from his past life, which is already an impossible task due to what he has caused, it is looking less and less unlikely. He takes on everyone around him: Uncle Jerome (Amin Joseph) and Aunt Louie (Angela Lewis); and his ex-CIA “companion’ Teddy McDonald (Carter Hudson). This was all in pursuit of regaining the money he lost.
4. Season 1
Franklin gives viewers a ray of hope as they follow his journey through South Central Los Angeles. His uncle Jerome (Amin Joseph) and aunt Louise (Angela Lewis) welcome him into the family business of marijuana dealing. Franklin uses his newfound connections from an upscale, predominantly white high school in the valley to bring even more money into the trade.
The young man has a relaxed demeanor, so much so that when a pal from the valley asks Franklin to help with a cocaine deal, he replies jokingly, “Sure, I’ll be the Black guy—I always am!” Damson Idris puts on a masterful performance here, conveying his character’s forceful attitude and a good sense of humor. Behind all this hilarity lies Snowfall’s subtle irony: Cocaine is just around the corner, and no one has any idea how it will affect things.
3. Season 4
Many decried the third-season finale of Snowfall for permitting Franklin too easy an escape. After weeks of anticipation to witness him face the consequences of killing Officer Wright (Marcus Henderson), the show resorted to a contrived “it was all a dream” angle with Franklin evading Mel’s (Reign Edwards) offensive. Such criticism is truthful yet overlooks that this narrative needs to keep advancing. Franklin’s knack for dodging trouble drives him further into this realm.
Gustavo and Teddy face a dangerous new enemy in the drug trade, while Franklin climbs to the upper echelons of the criminal underworld. An investigative reporter from LA is getting closer to uncovering the truth about Officer Wright’s murder. Meanwhile, Leon seeks independence, as Cissy and Alton are trapped in the middle of the destructive crack cocaine war. These gripping first four episodes of Snowfall demonstrate that it remains an impressive, compelling show.
2. Season 2
Snowfall’s second season began with a shift in its narrative. It had become darker and more intense, packed with sudden decisions that spoke volumes. Even the show’s four intertwined stories came together more cohesively than before. Snowfall’s second season reveals power in many guises: bold action, scheming politics, financial clout, and audacity. Having proved its characters’ ambitions, Season 2 expands on them. But something is missing.
After four months, the series resumes with crack cocaine beginning to spread in the streets due to several conditions that early episodes explain. Franklin has been able to convert powder cocaine into profitable crack. Teddy has created both north- and south-bound networks for a CIA-sponsored illegal Contra cocaine venture. And Lucia, after assassinating her uncle, has become the family’s drug trade leader and determinedly seeks more success.
1. Season 3
Ranked as one of the best seasons of Snowfall, the third season begins with something familiar. The landscape encases the whole image; the blazing sun, and bright azure skies are filled with trees here and there. It reminds us of the first episode, where the wide-open sky clashed with the harsh heat of the street below, presaging a tragedy like the one in Spike Lee’s Do The Right Thing. But times have changed now. As Officer Andre rolls through in his patrol car, he perceives composed people strolling around and talking jovially.
He is puzzled by this novel atmosphere or maybe just marveling at how places evolve. At once, in a corner, a woman leaps into a vehicle to take hold of crack cocaine. When the driver views Andre, he takes off abruptly, but the woman hangs on tightly and finally grabs a stone. Suddenly letting go of the door, she tumbles to the ground and thuds down. Andre strides over apprehensively, yet shockingly, she rolls onto her back, swallows a hit, and reclines onto the asphalt. Nothing surpasses the hit. Although their surroundings have shifted, not all the changes are positive.
The series finale of FX’s Snowfallis aired on April 19th. Set in Los Angeles during the 1980s, a crack cocaine epidemic swept through the city like a volatile storm, its effects engulfing characters and culture alike. Every few years there comes a show that revolutionizes our perception of reality – from The Sopranosthrough to The Wire and now Snowfall, FX’s gripping series created by the late John Singleton exploring the history of government involvement in the war on drugs in America. Each episode had its own unique power, dividing viewers with their reactions. Here are the best Snowfall episodes.
10. Sightlines (Season 2, Episode 1)
Frankie struggled on as an area dealer, unaware of the power looming over him that was close to changing his life forever. However, he disguised his criminal enterprise as an ice cream truck and built a modest fortune. Meanwhile, Teddy became aware that the government would no longer be funding his war against communism and he needed to adjust. Gus and Lucia wanted to recruit a new playmaker into their game, urging Lucia to do something she promised never to do. Since her father’s demise, Lucia had even more of a craving for authority and this was the perfect opportunity for her.
9. Surrender (Season 2, Episode 8)
Gustavo was resolute in his steadfastness to keep Lucia, despite the dispute. Soledad wielded no physical violence, yet the threats she made were gruesome: imprisoned gang members would beat and murder him on her orders so that her team stayed clear of it. Regardless, he seemed impervious. What could break through? Lucia called, distressed; seeking out Gustavo. She rushed off to find help and clear her innocence with one bold move—the recipe had to be made to attest its authenticity. With a deep breath and steady hands, she readied herself to cook it.
7. Cash and Carry (Season 3, Episode 3)
Franklin had never been aware of the extent of Avi’s drug dealing. In this dangerous game, Franklin’s closest ally had ultimately betrayed him. The Mexican venture saw Avi attempt to steal his money while pretending it was just a loan. With tensions high, Gustavo confronted Soledad and fired a shot. Meanwhile, Teddy sought to gain control of an airstrip, so he could smuggle drugs and weapons. Everything unfolded quickly, forcing Franklin to face the consequences of his choices.
6. The Game That Moves As You Play (Season 3, Episode 4)
Franklin’s world was rocked when the cops barged into Jerome’s abode, leading to a violent stand-off. Instead of backing down, he retaliated with strength and determination. Leon found out about Avi’s disastrous scheme and wanted to take action. Teddy came to know that Gustavo was the reason for Lorena’s death, and put her in the ground deep in the woods. This monumental twist was a harbinger for Franklin’s major character arc through the best episodes of Snowfall.
5. Aftermath (Season 2, Episode 9)
The weight of the situation packed in tightly, and for the first time Franklin was without a solution. Taut tensions ran through the room as he mustered the courage to visit his mother before committing to any conclusion. Matt, after enduring a cruel bout of cocaine infliction at the behest of Avi and friends, was confronted with an unpalatable option concerning his brother.
Lucia had committed treachery yet paid no mind to her activities. She and Gustavo were immediately embroiled in a scuffle that resulted in his being punctured with a blade. Nothing had gone their way in one of the best Snowfall episodes. Ultimately, Franklin chose a course of action that nearly condemned him to a life behind bars; the police had been tipped off.
4. Education (Season 2, Episode 10)
Franklin learned a hard lesson when he found himself behind bars. His former status meant nothing in the harsh prison environment. As soon as he arrived, his new shoes were taken from him and he quickly realized that in this place, friendships are fleeting. He was almost killed by Ray Ray, the same man who was forced to take his friend’s life. Fortunately, Teddy was able to get Franklin away before any serious damage could be done. Now, it’s time to get back to work.
3. Pocket Full of Rocks (Season 3, Episode 7)
The search for Mel was in motion and Andre had to ask Franklin for assistance. His feelings for her had long since dissipated, but Franklin still remembered the girl he had once been willing to do anything for. To locate her, he made it clear that no one should supply her with anything without getting in contact with him first.
Franklin wanted to leave the criminal underworld behind, whereas Leon wanted to dive further into it. Manboy desired to become Franklin’s most trusted lieutenant, though he understood Leon held onto that position at present. Teddy believed only one more job was required before he could escape forever.
2. Hedgehogs (Season 3, Episode 8)
Franklin and Teddy encounter each other, conversing regarding the latter’s personal life. Convinced of Teddy’s CIA allegiance, Frank exploited this knowledge. Eventually, Mel was located, and upon Franklin’s arrival, he observed the accuracy of all that had been professed regarding her transformation.
Garnishing intelligence from Kate, Andre traveled to Franklin’s house in search of governmental involvement evidence. Upon noticing Andre in his abode, Franklin began a discourse at Wright’s home before suddenly shooting him in the head.
1. Blackout (Season 3, Episode 9)
Mel understood that Franklin had been the one to end her father’s life. She informed Officer Nix of her suspicions, who then proceeded to make a plan. He told Mel that the postmortem concluded that her dad had taken his own life, but she did not believe this was true. Later, at the burial service, Franklin followed her home and she pulled out a gun. He received a bullet in the shoulder before trying to make an escape. Nonetheless, Mel fired another round, this time hitting him on the back. Critics consider “Blackout” to be one of the best Snowfall Episodes.
The RX is Uproxx Music’s stamp of approval for the best albums, songs, and music stories throughout the year. Inclusion in this category is the highest distinction we can bestow and signals the most important music being released throughout the year. The RX is the music you need, right now.
Last night, the series finale of Snowfall aired, bringing the winding six-year epic to an ironic conclusion. The finale also brought the story of LA drug kingpin Franklin Saint full circle, ending the narrative much as it began – albeit with its protagonist in a much different state, ten years later. (It’s also a full circle moment for yours truly; I quit my old job to work at Uproxx full-time in order to shoot some sponsored content for Snowfall back when it debuted in 2017.)
That story fascinated Brooklyn rapper Skyzoo so much, he wrote a whole album about it. The Mind Of A Saintcame out back in January, but much like the show itself, I didn’t get around to engaging with it until much later. With the overload of content coming out on a seemingly daily basis, the project got lost in the rush.
Fortunately, thanks to the series finale airing this week, I had the perfect opportunity to revisit the project – and I’m so glad I did. On The Mind Of A Saint, Sky plants himself into Franklin’s Converse All-Stars to deliver what he believes is the album that Franklin himself would make if he pulled an Eazy-E and switched from the drug business to the music one.
And unsurprisingly, it works extremely well. Sure, Skyzoo’s got that whole brusque New Yorker demeanor – not to mention an accent that marks him as a native of the Big Apple far more than a hard-R-slinging South LA resident – but aside from the modern quirks of his densely-packed delivery and modern rap mannerisms (as opposed to the more straightforward flows adopted by Angelenos in the ‘80s), his unique storytelling style captures the essence of the series perfectly.
Across the 10 tracks, Skyzoo channels his love of sports and pop culture references into the show’s 1980s setting, only using metaphors he knows the protagonist would use. This includes nods to geopolitical happenings like the Iran-Contra scandal on “Eminent Domain” and local sports heroes like the Lakers’ Norm Nixon on “Straight Drop.”
Meanwhile, tracks like “Bodies!” and “Apologies In Order” recount events from the show itself, like a rap recap. Sky litters the former with the names of the characters in the series who meet their demises from Franklin’s machinations, all while detailing the kingpin’s mindstate: “Manboy deserved it, Khadijah deserved it / Tyana shouldn’t have been in that car, that wasn’t worth it / Andre deserved it / I mean, in the beginning, he didn’t but then he went and got all this pretend purpose.”
Even more impressively, though, Skyzoo indirectly uses this conceptual approach to the album to turn the lens onto the ills of society that continue to create the conditions for this criminal mindset to this day. “Picture opportunity skipping over who you be,” he mourns on “Eminent Domain.”
Then, “Views From The Valley” presents the stark contrast between LA’s various enclaves and how seeing wealth just out of reach can make someone desperate to change their fortunes: “Never blink, and turn all this shit into more than I could ever think /Not a stereotype to let me sink, let me link / Between where I’m from to where I’m placed at /And pray over this blizzard I’ma whip up on my way back.”
When he pulls back for a bird’s-eye view on “Panthers & Powder,” it doesn’t feel like a betrayal of the concept. Instead, it reads like something Franklin knows implicitly, even if he wouldn’t know how to articulate it out loud – at least, until he decided to dedicate himself to a craft like rap, in which case those connections might become clearer.
The most impressive moment on the album, though, comes near its own conclusion (which, unfortunately, was written before the final season of the show even aired, leaving Sky’s interpretation of those events unwritten). On “Purity,” Sky imagines Franklin’s fateful meeting with a young Nipsey Hussle and his older brother Blacc Sam as toddlers. By this point in the show, it’s 1986, so it would be entirely possible for a real-life Franklin to have met the boys’ father.
It’s a clever way to double down on the album’s (and the show’s) themes; that for every action, there’s a reaction, that the consequences of a scheme often far outweigh the merits, that legacies are built and destroyed by the mundane encounters we have every day, and that a system that fails its most vulnerable will stay failing everyone within it.
Nip, like Sky’s imaginary Franklin, found his way out of the hustler’s lifestyle through rap; like the show’s Franklin, though, he couldn’t really escape the realities of the twisted social structure of America, which has determined that some lives have more value than others – even when they traffic in the same immoral industry (just watch the show, you’ll get it).
Like the show that inspired it, The Mind Of A Saint is a fascinating glimpse at the realities of the drug trade and its impacts on the community around it, without the glamorizing that comes from other, similar examples of trap and gangster rap. Because Sky posits from the outset that this is a fictional character’s narrative, he can get intimately close but remain artistically distant.
It’s an example of hip-hop at its highest form, a literary work worth digging into to exegete heady themes and an entertaining display of smart, surprising wordplay. It’s what KRS-One set out to make with Criminal Minded and an extension of Jay-Z accomplished with American Gangster. It’s a concept album that actually sticks the landing – something that is so rarely accomplished in any genre. And, with the final season finally out in the world, there’s still some story left to tell – a perfect excuse for Skyzoo to drop a deluxe.
Snowfall has reached its epic conclusion. Spoiler Alert on what is to follow.
Snowfall‘s sixth and final season ended with Franklin Saint walking the streets of Los Angeles, an alcoholic and now homeless, much like his father Alton.
The series’ closing moments were the final pieces of a teardown that once saw Saint flying as high as private jets and piloting his own planes. His girlfriend and mother of his son, Veronique, gone, in the wind, with the last of Franklin’s money. His Aunt Louie is on the run for life from federal authorities. Leon and Wanda are bouncing back and forth between Africa and Los Angeles. Franklin’s mom, Cissy, is presumed to spend the rest of her life in prison.
Speaking with Deadlineafter the series had concluded, the actor who portrayed Franklin Saint, Damson Idris, pulled back the curtain on filming those final moments of the series.
“His final moments were incredibly challenging. There was a fatherhood connection there, which I connected to personally so it was deeply emotional for me. Franklin’s connection to his father and his becoming an alcoholic was incredibly difficult,” Idris said.
He added, “Behind the scenes, I had a little flask with me that no one knew about. I would touch it with my lips just to have the taste. I’ll also admit that I didn’t shower. Luckily I wasn’t disrupting anyone with any odors.”
You can read more about the final episode of Snowfall here via Deadline.
We have one episode of Snowfall left in the epic series. Ahead of the final airing of season 6, Benny The Butcher gave his opinion on Instagram Live on the debate of which is a better show: Snowfall or Power. Without hesitation, Benny said Snowfall.
“Snowfall is better,” he said. “I’m saying Snowfall is better, but, they’re both great shows. I like to see Michael Rainey. I like watching his ascension. He’s fire. He’s getting better and better at his shit. But for some reason, I’m just more drawn into Snowfall.”
Snowfall is near its end, but that doesn’t mean the end of the Los Angeles world we have come to know and love.
According to Deadline, a spinoff series of Snowfall surrounding the current character Wanda, ported by Gail Bean, is in the early stages of development.
The story would follow the original story in Los Angeles, continuing on into the 1990s with the rise of the gangster rap era and rivalries of Bloods and Crips. The series would have Wanda as the connection between the two series and would spawn new main characters. Any carryovers from the current series are unknown.
The show would have Malcolm Spellman as the pilot pen and executive producer. Returning executive producers would be Snowfall co-creator and showrunner Dave Andron, Trevor Engelson, Michael London, and Tommy Schlamme. John Singleton would posthumously receive credit, along with Eric Amadio and Evan Silverberg.
There has been an influx of crime thrillers in recent years exploring the stories of the inner cities, like Power. The series follows the story Ghost and Tommy Egan as they try to balance the streets and legitimate business interests. Meanwhile, a story like Snowfall — created by John Singleton — brings us back to the 80s and provides a fictionalized account of the rise in crack cocaine in South Central Los Angeles through the eyes of Franklin Saint. Ultimately, both shows have provided us with endless entertainment but it’s hard to choose between the two.
Benny The Butcher recently sparked a debate surrounding the two shows. The Griselda rapper appeared on Instagram Live this week when a fan asked him to choose between the two crime shows. “Snowfall is better,” Benny said as he nodded his head, though he didn’t discount the storyline Power or its spin-offs. “I’m saying Snowfall is better, but, they’re both great shows. I like to see Michael Rainey — I like watching his ascension. He’s fire. He’s getting better and better at his shit. But for some reason, I’m just more drawn in to Snowfall.”
Perhaps, it’s not the hottest take imaginable but we could imagine that 50 Cent might not be entirely happy with his personal preference. Snowfall certainly earned Benny The Butcher’s praise, thanks to its stellar cast and an impeccable team of writers. The series is expected to conclude its sixth and final season this week. However, it won’t be the end of the show entirely. FX confirmed that they’re developing a spin-off series that could see Gail Bean reprise her role as Wanda.
Of course, Power produced a series of spin-offs that have transformed it into a franchise. 50 Cent launched Power Book II: Ghost in September 2020, which focuses on Ghost’s son Tariq. The following year, Power Book III: Raising Kanan debuted, serving as a prequel that explores Kanan Stark’s rise. In 2022, they finally blessed fans with the third and final spin-off, Power Book IV: Force which follows Tommy Egan’s move to Chicago, where he tries to take over the drug trade. Check out Benny The Butcher’s take above and sound off with your thoughts in the comments.
After Wednesday’s (Mar. 30) episode, Snowfall only has three episodes left, but that doesn’t mean the end of the Los Angeles world we have come to know and love.
According to Deadline, a spinoff series of Snowfall surrounding the current character Wanda, ported by Gail Bean, is in the early stages of development.
The story would follow the original story in Los Angeles, continuing on into the 1990s with the rise of the gangster rap era and rivalries of Bloods and Crips. The series would have Wanda as the connection between the two series and would spawn new main characters. Any carryovers from the current series are unknown.
The show would have Malcolm Spellman as the pilot pen and executive producer. Returning executive producers would be Snowfall co-creator and showrunner Dave Andron, Trevor Engelson, Michael London, and Tommy Schlamme. John Singleton would posthumously receive credit, along with Eric Amadio and Evan Silverberg.
Damson Idris is quickly becoming a household name. The British actor has garnered much of a following through his roles on Snowfall, which is in its final season, and Prime Video’s Swarm.
Idris credits his success as an actor partly to the generosity of rapper Jay-Z.
Over the years, it has been rumored that Jay helped Idris get his green card. Idris clarified the rumors in an interview on the 360 With Speedy show, but noted it may not have happened as other fans imagined it.
“Hov didn’t offer that up. I had to ask him,” He said. “But he’s done many things for me over the years. He’s always supported me. He supports everyone. He supports so many people that you don’t even know. Like, genuinely I should tell everyone this right now: If you ever run into Jay-Z, just say thank you and keep it moving because he is definitely a pioneer of the culture, but of everything.”
While Idris didn’t share all of the details about how Jay helped him get his green card, he also used his airtime to thank other people who helped in the process. He also noted that he plans to pay their generosity forward in the future.
“I won’t tell you how it happened ’cause there’s a couple more favors that I’m gonna need in the future,” he said, jokingly, “but yeah, he hooked me up with that. Rich Paul did, too. Tommy Schlamme, Eric Schrier — a bunch people hooked me up. They’re people who just believe in me, believe this journey that I’m on and I’m gonna repay the favor to the people coming behind me, too.”
