When it comes to crime drama series, FX’s Snowfall remains relevant for multiple reasons, the biggest of those being that its highly anticipated spin-off is set to arrive sometime this year. Co-created by the late, great John Singleton (Boyz n the Hood), along with Dave Andron and Eric Amadio, the hit series chronicles the early days of one of the largest drug epidemics of the 20th century.
The series digs deep into the interwoven stories of those who cultivate, bring to market, and distribute such an addictive, deadly product. It also does a top-notch job of combining gripping, methodical storytelling with phenomenal acting and stunning cinematography to explore the rise of a cocaine empire through diverse, emotionally complex characters full of heart and depth. Before its 2026 spin-off arrives, Snowfall deserves a dedicated rewatch — or an initial watch, if it’s your first time.
What Is ‘Snowfall’ About?
Snowfall isn’t just another crime drama; it’s a meticulously crafted slow burn on par with shows like Narcos, Breaking Bad, and Queen of the South. It showcases the desperate, dangerous, wildly illegal lengths minorities were forced to go to at that time in order to build and maintain any kind of wealth under President Ronald Reagan and the LAPD’s lethal, unwavering gaze. The narrative follows Franklin Saint (Damson Idris), a young, smart entrepreneur navigating the drug trade alongside friends, family, a CIA operative, and a Mexican cartel member.
While you don’t see much dealing, at least throughout the first season, you do see the plethora of ways that poverty, early ’80s West Coast hedonism, Mexican and Black communities, and government agents come together to create the perfect storm for a cheap, feel-good drug to seep through the cracks and latch on to unsuspecting consumers. Snowfall blatantly portrays the cost of being associated with the world of drugs and dealing while highlighting the effects that both have on the people involved, such as the long-term consequences brought about by money, power, and influence.
The main reason Snowfall is such a captivating crime series worthy of its near-perfect Rotten Tomatoes scores is its seamless blend of character-driven drama and historical context for a realistic portrayal of the era’s complexities. What’s most striking about the show, though, in addition to Idris’s standout performance, is its outright refusal to glamorize its subject matter. Whereas most shows of the genre glorify crime, Snowfall avoids that altogether by prioritizing a tragic rise-and-fall arc, its story more of a cautionary tale than an aspirational one. In refusing to whitewash the era, the crime drama presents a raw, unapologetic Black perspective by bringing in firsthand cultural knowledge of how South Central LA is portrayed, which is crucial to its impact.
‘Snowfall’ Is Coming Back After 2 Years — With a Twist
Gail Bean and Isaiah John are set to return.
‘Snowfall’s Spin-off Enters a New Era for the Series
Snowfall‘s currently untitled spin-off will serve as a direct continuation of the world built in the original series. The long-gestating project was created by Singleton, who passed away in 2019, and was first developed after Snowfall‘s 2023 finale, with the spin-off officially ordered to series in November 2025. Set in 1990s Los Angeles, the spin-off’s narrative will follow two key characters from the original series as they enter the booming West Coast rap scene while managing gang warfare and exploitation by new record labels.
Snowfall’s Wanda (Gail Bean) and Leon (Isaiah John) will take center stage as they navigate the post-crack era and work to build a new life in a rapidly changing environment. Wanda, a recovering crack addict, will serve as the connective tissue to the original series via her history, and Leon’s, for that matter, with area gangs. The spin-off’s focus will rest on the rise of gangster rap and hip-hop culture, as well as the expansion of rival gangs, while gang wars erupt and record labels exploit the rising culture for their own profit. Before its spin-off arrives, make it a priority to familiarize yourself with Snowfall‘s unflinching examination of history that delicately balances intense, character-driven storytelling with sociopolitical commentary by giving it the binge it deserves. You’ll want a taste of what you’re heading into next.
Snowfall is currently available to stream on Hulu in the U.S.
