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‘Snowfall’ Star Damson Idris Says The Show’s Legacy Will Live Forever

The star recently reflected on the show's journey from obscurity to a cultural phenomenon.

Over its six seasons, FX’s crime drama “Snowfall” was never recognized by the TV Academy despite being well-received by viewers and arguably one of the most slept-on series in recent years.  

In a recent interview with Vanity Fair, Damson Idris, who portrayed the young drug dealer Franklin Saint in the crime drama, passionately reflected on the show's journey and how it evolved from a relatively under-the-radar production to a cultural phenomenon. 

“We were a show that kind of went below the radar for about three, four seasons, and then COVID hit and streaming boomed. All of a sudden it’s like, I can’t go to Ralphs anymore and the biggest musicians in the world are talking about Franklin,” the British star shared.

RELATED: 'Snowfall' Concludes As One of the Best Crime Dramas to Ever Do It

The show’s popularity during the pandemic demonstrated a significant shift in how people watch TV. As more people turned to streaming platforms during lockdowns, “Snowfall” found a broader audience, and its gripping narrative began to resonate on a much larger scale.

Creator John Singleton, who passed away in 2019, envisioned “Snowfall” as a deep dive into the socio-economic forces and government policies that fueled the crack epidemic. Singleton's storytelling and Idris’s captivating portrayal of Franklin have cemented “Snowfall” as a significant cultural touchstone.

Idris told the outlet. “It’s aging like wine, and I’m just thrilled that I could be a part of something like that.” He added, “I think ‘Snowfall’ will live forever.”

Fans can catch Idris in the upcoming American sports action drama film, “F1,” alongside Hollywood legend Brad Pitt. The movie hits theaters sometime in 2025. 

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