‘Snowfall’ Star Damson Idris on How the COVID-19 Pandemic ‘Put Things Into Perspective’ for Him
After COVID-19-related regulations delayed filming for several months, FX’s Snowfall is finally slated to return in February 2021. British actor Damson Idris portrays Franklin in the crime drama and recently opened up about how the pandemic and its effects “put things into perspective” for him.
Damson Idris broke out as Franklin in ‘Snowfall’
Initially wanting to become a professional football (American soccer) player, London native Damson Idris got into acting after high school. Inspired by Denzel Washington and Sidney Poitier, he received his BA Honours degree and got into theatre.
After performing in a few plays and appearing in British shows, the actor landed his breakout role as Franklin Saint in FX’s Snowfall.
Created by award-winning director John Singleton, the crime drama series revolves around the crack epidemic in the late 1980s and its effects on a Black community in south-central Los Angeles, California.
The show connects the lives of young, driven drug dealer Franklin, CIA agent Teddy McDonald (Reed Thompson), Mexican wrestler Gustavo “El Oso” Zapata, and crime boss niece Lucia Villanueva through the addictive and profitable drug.
Idris on Franklin showing a more ‘vulnerable’ side in ‘Snowfall’ Season 4
In a Jan. 2021 interview with Complex, the British actor noted viewers would see a different side of the typically calm and stable Franklin.
Idris explained the next season continues telling the story of the impact the crack epidemic had, specifically on Blacks, and promised it would have the audience “on the edge of your seats.”
When it comes to his character, he noted the young drug dealer struggles with balancing his legal real estate business with the illegal cocaine operation while watching the war on drugs’ effect on his community.
Additionally, the actor noted viewers would see a more “vulnerable” side of Franklin as the LA-based character is “less sure of himself” than previously. The British actor also said he “can’t wait” for the audience to see the new season, including an episode directed by Karen Evans, a 25-year-old Canadian music video director famous for working with rapper Drake.
Idris on how the COVID-19 made him more ‘thankful’
The Outside the Wire actor also spoke about the COVID-19 pandemic and how he dealt with it. He explained they began filming season 4 in Feb. 2020 before shutting down all together a month later.
The London native explained they were initially told they couldn’t shoot for a couple of weeks, and it turned into nearly a year. According to Idris, he took the time to “identify” himself out of acting, began attempting to learn Spanish, watched movies, and spent time with his family.
While the actor noted he spent holidays including Christmas and his birthday alone, it “put things into perspective” for him. For example, the actor explained he’s “not complaining” even though the COVID-related restrictions make filming harder because he’s “fortunate” to have a job.
Idris also acknowledged other young actors that aren’t working due to the pandemic, making him “thankful” for his opportunities, including his recent role in Netflix’s Outside the Wire as drone pilot Thomas Harp. Snowfall season 4 premieres Feb. 24, 2021, on FX.
