Snowfall

In 1983 Los Angeles, a social storm gathers around the arrival of crack cocaine. Snowfall tracks a group of interconnected people as the drug's birth reshapes neighborhoods, power, and loyalties. A young dealer named Franklin Saint climbs from the margins toward influence, while other players in law enforcement and the drug world push into a complex, dangerous landscape. The show interweaves family life and street life, exposing how ambition, fear, and the lure of quick money ripple through friendships and institutions. With period detail that lands in every frame, the series builds tension around decisions that pull people toward or away from danger, often at great cost.

Premiered in 2017 on FX, Snowfall was created by Eric Amadio, Dave Andron and John Singleton. It riffs on real life events but is presented as fiction, built around a late 70s to early 80s LA that feels lived in and authentic, and it blends documentary style with cinematic scope.

Snowfall has left a mark on how TV treats the crack era, bridging intimate character drama with larger social forces. Damson Idris's Franklin Saint became a recognizable antihero and catalyzed conversations about the human cost of policy choices and market forces. The show's look, sound and pacing cemented a time and place in pop culture.

Critics praised its atmosphere, pacing and performances, especially Idris and the supporting cast. The series probes ambition, loyalty, and the consequences of the drug trade, while also examining how systems of crime policing and economics intersect to shape communities. Audiences responded well, reflected in an 8.346 out of 10 from 693 votes.

Awards: Snowfall has earned nominations from major awards ceremonies, recognizing its craft, direction and performances. The ensemble and creators have been cited for elevating a historical moment into thoughtful television. The show is widely regarded as a standout in the crime drama genre.