Snowfall, the crime drama created by the late filmmaker John Singleton, has officially concluded after six seasons and 60 episodes. The show, set in the 1980s, follows Franklin Saint (Damson Idris), a young man in South Central Los Angeles who begins his journey as a small-time cannabis dealer before rising to become a major cocaine kingpin.
By the series’ end, Franklin has achieved his ultimate goal of freedom, but at a staggering personal cost. The series finale provides a heartbreaking yet fitting conclusion to his tumultuous journey, along with the fates of other key characters.
In the series finale, we witness Franklin’s ultimate downfall. Living in squalor in his childhood home, Franklin is an alcoholic, overwhelmed by the consequences of his choices. His empire, built on the drug trade, has crumbled, and he is about to lose his home due to unpaid taxes.
When Leon (Isaiah John) offers to pay off his property taxes, Franklin, drunk and in despair, rejects the help. “I’m free,” he says, but the freedom he speaks of is not liberating—it is a hollow escape from a life he cannot control. His refusal to rebuild his life is a sign of his defeat, and his liberation comes at the price of everything he once desired.
Damson Idris as Franklin Saint (Photo: Snowfall/FX)Death, Fate, and Franklin’s Survival
In Snowfall, characters often meet one of two fates: death or imprisonment. However, Franklin breaks this pattern, managing to survive despite numerous enemies and violent actions throughout the series. In the finale, even after being shot at point-blank range by Peaches (DeRay Davis), Franklin emerges unharmed.
Andron, the showrunner, explains that while death would have been an easy and fitting end for Franklin, his survival becomes a form of ironic punishment. Having invested everything into the cocaine empire, his continued existence forces him to confront a life far worse than death—stuck in the very environment he tried to escape, now unable to rebuild what he lost.
While Snowfall ends with Franklin in a dark place, other characters show signs of potential futures. One of the more intriguing possibilities is Wanda (Gail Bean), who Leon mentions may pursue a career in music. This hint has sparked rumors of a spinoff series, but Andron clarifies that while discussions about a spinoff have taken place, nothing has been officially confirmed.
The line about Wanda’s musical aspirations was included not to alter the main storyline but to acknowledge the continued interest in the characters’ futures. Even if the spinoff never materializes, the idea of Wanda finding a new passion is a hopeful note in an otherwise bleak narrative.
Angela Lewis as Aunt Louie (Photo: Snowfall/FX)Open-Ended Storylines: What Comes Next?
The series finale of Snowfall intentionally leaves several storylines open-ended. The fate of Louie (Angela Lewis), who is still evading the DEA, remains unresolved. Veronique (Devyn A. Tyler) has taken Franklin’s son abroad, leaving her future uncertain. Similarly, Oso (Juan Javier Cardenas) is shown hearing from his girlfriend, hinting at a possible visit.
By moving the story into the future, the finale offers glimpses into the characters’ lives without resolving their paths completely. Andron explains that this open-ended approach invites viewers to interpret what might happen next, offering room for personal imagination and reflection on the characters’ fates.
One character who is notably absent from the finale is Lucia (Emily Rios), who was a major figure in earlier seasons. Fans were hopeful for her return, especially after a surveillance photo of her appeared in Season 4. Andron explains that the decision not to bring Lucia back had more to do with actor availability and the evolution of the storyline.
Oso had moved on from Lucia, and her presence would not have served his character’s growth. For Oso, moving forward and finding a new family was essential, and Lucia’s toxic influence would have hindered that. The show chose to leave that chapter behind, allowing Oso to find closure in his new role.
Another fan-favorite character who didn’t return in the finale is Melody (Reina Hardesty). After her traumatic encounter with Franklin in Season 4, viewers were curious to know what happened to her. Andron reveals that while many fans wished for her to reappear, it never felt like a natural fit within the final episodes.
However, he imagines that Melody found stability in her life, likely returning to school and creating a better future for herself. Rather than forcing an appearance that would detract from the main story, the show allowed her character to exist off-screen with a hopeful future.
John Singleton (Photo: Snowfall/FX)John Singleton’s Influence on the Final Season
Although John Singleton passed away after Season 3, his influence remained an integral part of Snowfall throughout its run. Andron acknowledges that Singleton provided the groundwork for the show’s narrative and characters. However, by the time of the series finale, there was no clear roadmap left by Singleton for how the story should end. This allowed the writing team to take creative liberties and shape the conclusion based on what felt right for the characters. The final season, while honoring Singleton’s legacy, was ultimately shaped by the collaborative efforts of the writing staff, who made sure to remain true to the heart of the story.
A major turning point in the series comes when Cissy (Michael Hyatt), Franklin’s mother, kills Teddy McDonald (Carter Hudson), the CIA agent responsible for Franklin’s drug empire. While many fans were upset by Cissy’s decision to kill Teddy just before he could secure the $37 million for Franklin, Andron defends her actions.
Cissy’s choice, though brutal, was driven by her desire to protect Franklin. By eliminating Teddy, she ensures that the CIA would no longer threaten her son. Andron explains that this act was not out of malice but out of maternal love, and while it may seem rash, it was the only way to guarantee Franklin’s safety.
The final days of filming for Snowfall were filled with mixed emotions. Andron recalls the bittersweet atmosphere on set as the crew wrapped up the series. While there was sadness in knowing that the show was coming to an end, there was also a sense of fulfillment. The cast and crew were proud of what they had created, and they knew that Snowfall had left an indelible mark on television.
The last scenes, including the tense moments with Louie and the DEA, were a fitting conclusion to the show’s narrative. Andron reflects on the gratitude that the cast and crew felt for having been part of such a significant project that would live on in the hearts of its viewers.
The ending of Snowfall is a poignant and tragic reflection on Franklin’s journey from a young, ambitious drug dealer to a broken man who loses everything he once held dear. The finale shows that while Franklin sought freedom, the cost was too great, and the life he built for himself ultimately led to his undoing.
The series leaves open the possibility of other stories, with characters like Wanda and Louie left with uncertain futures. But the real focus of the finale is Franklin’s personal journey, one that ends not with death or imprisonment, but with a painful, lonely freedom that reflects the series’ exploration of the consequences of ambition, family, and survival.
