John Singleton is back again with another masterpiece, but this time, our attention is drawn to the small screen. In “Snowfall,” his first TV series, Singleton delivers the unfiltered truth about the crack cocaine epidemic in the ’80s in L.A. The series explores the lives taken by the epidemic, the violence it brought, and how detrimental it was to the culture. FX presented a special screening of this new series Tuesday, July 11, at the Emagine Theater in Royal Oak, a Detroit suburb. FM 98 WJLB’s Bushman hosted the screening and assisted in making sure the audience grasped the concept of the show. Singleton and several members of the cast and crew graced the red carpet. Those in attendance included Detroit native, Angela Lewis, Damson Idris, Carter Hudson, Michael Hyatt, Isaiah John, executive producer Eric Amadio, and co-creator Dave Andron.
The one-hour drama centers around a young high school graduate, Franklin Saint ( Idris) who seeks financial freedom, and decides that the business of marijuana is just not enough for him. After crossing paths with an Israeli cocaine drug lord, Franklin decides that he will be the best young entrepreneur on the street. Franklin soon learns the responsibility and the trouble that comes with illegal drugs. On his quest to bring the Israeli drug lord $12,000 in 24 hours, which will also prove Franklin’s worthiness of future endeavors, he is joined by his aunt Louie, played by Lewis. The result of Franklin’s first night of being a dope boy shocked the audience.
After the screening, the audience stayed for a Q-and-A with the cast members. Idris (Franklin Saint) acknowledged that he was pleased with his first visit to Detroit. “It took a while for me to learn the culture, and to hide my accent,” he said in his subtle English accent. “I listened to a lot of L.A. hip-hop, watched a lot of videos. Dub C was my dialogue coach and he taught me most of what you saw.”
We look forward to seeing more of Idris beyond his first major role.
“Snowfall” airs Wednesdays at 10 p.m. EST on FX.
