John Singleton’s ‘Snowfall’ introduces never before told narrative of 1980s Crack Epidemic FX

Director, screenwriter, and producer John Singleton brings an authenticity to films and series such as “Boyz n the Hood,” “Baby Boy” and BET’s “Rebel.” His new FX series, “Snowfall” is no different as he reveals to ew.com that, “Snowfall” is a series that has yet to be told. “Whenever you hear about these cocaine / cop-turning-gangster stories, they’re always in Miami, in New York, or whatever,” the former Oscar nominee explained to Entertainment Weekly. “The whole story about what happened on the West Coast has never been dramatized before.” “It was a dangerous, volatile time. But, it was fun,” he added. Created by Singleton, Eric Amadio and Dave Andron, “Snowfall” premiering Wednesday July 5, followed the early days of the crack cocaine epidemic in Los Angeles during the beginning of the 1980s. Set in 1983 Los Angeles, the series revolves around the first crack epidemic and its impact on the culture of the city. The series follows the stories of several characters whose lives are doomed to intersect: 19-year-old drug dealer Franklin Saint (Damson Idris), Mexican luchador Gustavo “El Oso” Zapata (Sergio Peris-Mencheta), CIA operative Teddy McDonald (Carter Hudson), and Lucia Villanueva (Emily Rios), the daughter of a Mexican crime boss. Although the show has received mixed reviews regarding the drama’s cliché storyline, the review is promising, praising Singleton’s accurate recreation of 1983 Los Angeles and a strong lead performance from Damson Idris. “Snowfall,” airs Wednesdays at 10pm. (Photo Courtesy: Michael Yarish/FX)