The stars and creatives of FX’s “Snowfall” shined on the red carpet at the Academy Museum on Wednesday evening to celebrate the longevity and legacy of the series created by the late John Singleton (Boyz n the Hood, Four Brothers.) The much-anticipated final season of the acclaimed FX series will premiere its first two episodes Wednesday February 22nd, putting the finishing touches on this poignant and gripping saga.
Over the last five seasons,”Snowfall” has chronicled how an off-the-books CIA operation contributed to the destructive crack cocaine epidemic in the once vibrant community of South-Central L.A. The sixth season opens in October of 1986, where civil war threatens to destroy the Saint family. Franklin (Damson Idris) is desperate, forced to rob his Aunt Louie (Angela Lewis) and Uncle Jerome (Amin Joseph) after his $73 Million has been seized by former CIA officer Teddy McDonald (Carter Hudson).
Meanwhile, Louie has taken over Franklin’s role as Teddy’s sole buyer, undercutting her nephew and creating a competing empire in the process. Franklin is now faced with losing everyone he loves and everything he’s built, and coming through it all will mean out-maneuvering the KGB, the DEA and the CIA, as well as avoiding the LAPD’s fully militarized, fully corrupt, C.R.A.S.H units. When everyone is heading for disaster, at what lengths will they go to in order to survive?
The end is immersed in the fallout of betrayal and it remains to be seen if these characters will follow the path leading to destruction or freedom. Showrunner and co-creator Dave Andron wanted to conclude the story in a gratifying and authentic fashion. “It was a big challenge to effectively end ten different characters’ stories and make sure it felt surprising, inevitable and satisfying,” says Andron. “I hope it feels like it was all thought through. It was bittersweet because people knew we were heading for the end and they really took that to heart.”
Executive producer and writer Walter Mosley shared similar feelings. “We honored every character’s storyline. We did it in ways you’d expect but you’ll still be surprised every time,” says Mosley. “I feel like this is our best season. That’s so rare that you get to the end of a show and end it in a way that feels complete.”
The cast and team were excited and emotional regarding the final season and their personal journeys. Lead actor and producer Damson Idris has an incredibly deep connection to the role of Franklin Saint. “I was 23 years old when I got this part and I made a decision that no one is going to play this part the way I’m going to play it,” says Idris. “As I stand here six seasons later…only two percent of tv shows make it as far as we’ve made it… which is crazy if you think about how many shows are out there.”
Actress Christine Horn who plays Black Diamond recalls her first day on set and her character’s progression. “My first day on set was in season four,” shares Horn. “It was a big shootout scene before I even got to know my character Black Diamond. I’m shooting people at a funeral!”
Horn’s role has grown over the last two seasons and she’s looking forward to how her arc closes. “What I’ve loved over the years is how she’s evolved and why she does what she does,” says Horn. “She went from being a stripper to a hit woman. At her core, Black Diamond is about her family and her kid and she’ll do anything to take care of them and we get to see that journey unfold.”
Horn believes the show will reach new audiences in the years to come. “Season six is going to rock the fans! I feel like ‘’Snowfall’ is a cult classic,” says Horn. “You can watch this show in ten or fifteen years and still get into it. It’s timeless.”
“Snowfall” is grounded in reality but the creative team wanted the show to have a slick style. The show gets darker as the series progresses both visually and in terms of the storylines. Cinematographer Christian “Tico” Herrera (an ASC nominee) collaborated with director Ben Younger to create complex camera movements that would show L.A. creatively in a new light.
“It’s been an incredible journey since my first day on ‘Snowfall, I started as a camera operator in the jungle of Costa Rica in season three,” says Herrera. “We ended season six in South Central LA. I became a lead DP in season five and this was my first time being the lead cinematographer on a tv show… it was very special.”
Oscar nominated director John Singleton created an eye-opening series in “Snowfall,” which serves as a fitting swan song to the director who unexpectedly passed in 2019. As an Oscar and Emmy nominee with decades in the business, Singleton was a mentor and inspiration to the “Snowfall” cast.
Actress Michael Wyatt who plays Cissy Saint feels fortunate she was able to spend time with Singleton. “The most electrifying experience for me was going on press tours with John and the cast during the first three years of the show,” says Wyatt.
“He changed my understanding of what being an artist is, he’s a magical man. We have continued to honor him by telling things truthfully,” says Wyatt. “That is what John was all about…making sure that the people watching this saw themselves in the show and I think we did that.”
“Snowfall” was created by John Singleton, Eric Amadio and Dave Andron. The series is executive produced by Singleton, Andron, Thomas Schlamme, Amadio, Michael London, Trevor Engelson, Walter Mosley, Julie DeJoie and John LaBrucherie. The series star Damson Idris also serves as Producer. Andron serves as showrunner. “Snowfall” is produced by FX Productions.
The sixth and final season of “Snowfall” will debuts on Wednesday, Feburary 22, 2023, at 10 p.m. ET on FX, and streams the next day on Hulu.