Snowfall, a crime drama streaming free on BBC iPlayer, has been described by viewers as 'better than Breaking Bad' and 'criminally underrated'.
Comparisons to TV's best
Audiences have compared the series to The Sopranos, The Wire, and Breaking Bad, with some declaring it 'much better' than these established favourites. One viewer called it 'television at its peak'.
Snowfall was created by the late John Singleton, Eric Amadio, and Dave Andron. The series first premiered in July 2017 and concluded in April 2023 after six seasons spanning 60 episodes.
Plot and cast
The crime drama follows budding drug dealer Franklin Saint, played by Damson Idris, and shows how he navigates selling crack cocaine in 1980s South Central Los Angeles at the height of the crack epidemic.
The series' official plot states: "The story follows numerous characters on a violent collision course, including Franklin Saint, a young street entrepreneur on a quest for power; Gustavo 'El Oso' Zapata, a Mexican wrestler caught up in a power struggle within a crime family; Teddy McDonald, a CIA operative running from a dark past who begins an off-book operation to fund the Nicaraguan Contras; and Lucia Villanueva, the self-possessed daughter of a Mexican crime lord. In Snowfall, people are working toward their ultimate goals of money, power, and influence as 1984 begins in Los Angeles."
Idris is joined by Carter Hudson, Emily Rios, Sergio Peris-Mencheta, Michael Hyatt, Amin Joseph, Angela Lewis, Alon Aboutboul, Gail Bean, and Isaiah John alongside a larger ensemble.
Critical acclaim and spinoff
Snowfall holds a near-perfect 92% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. One critic said: "The show is a rush and a joy to watch." Another drew parallels to The Wire: "There are shades of The Wire about this new series set in LA in 1983, just as the crack epidemic is about to ravage the city. And as with The Wire, it might require initial patience."
A spinoff series titled The Drop: A Snowfall Saga has been ordered, starring Gail Bean and Isaiah John reprising their roles as Wanda Bell-Simmons and Leon Simmons. It is set to premiere on September 8, 2026.
One viewer wrote on IMDB: "Criminally underrated. Snowfall is hands down one of the greatest shows I've ever watched in my life and it deserves way more recognition than it gets. The acting is spectacular. They all deserve an award for their outstanding performances throughout the 6 seasons."
Another said: "Best show ever. Snowfall is one of those rare shows that doesn't just entertain-it haunts. From the first season, it pulls you into a world that feels raw, ugly, and painfully real, and it never lets you look away. What really sets Snowfall apart is how honest it is. It sticks with you long after the final episode. I would say it's better than Breaking Bad."
Snowfall is available to stream for free on BBC iPlayer.
