The “Snowfall” spinoff pilot at FX has added three series regulars, Variety has learned exclusively.
Asante Blackk, Peyton Alex Smith, and Simmie Sims III have all joined the pilot alongside previously announced leads and original series alums Gail Bean and Isaiah John. Variety exclusively reported on the pilot order in March. While Bean and John will be reprising their roles from “Snowfall,” exact character details for the other three are being kept under wraps.
The official logline for the pilot states, “Set in 90s Los Angeles soon after the end of the original series, a recovering addict (Bean) strives to take West Coast rap mainstream despite potential infighting from a harrowing gang war.”
Blackk is best known for his role in the critically-acclaimed Ava DuVernay limited series “When They See Us” at Netflix, for which he earned an Emmy nomination for best supporting actor in a limited series or movie. He is also known for playing Malik Hodges in the popular NBC drama “This Is Us” and will next be seen in “Euphoria” Season 3 at HBO. He has also starred in films like “Story Ave” and “Landscape with Invisible Hand.”
He is repped by Gersh, M88, The Lede Company and Del Shaw Moonves Tanaka.
Smith previously starred in two other spinoffs — both “All American: Homecoming” and “Legacies” at The CW. He has also appeared in “BMF” at Starz and in the BET series “The Quad.” In film, he was a cast member in Kathryn Bigelow’s “Detroit.”
He is repped by Innovative Artists Entertainment, Authentic Talent and Literary Management, and Goodman Genow.
Sims, who performs under the name Buddy, was discovered by music executive Scott Vener and later signed by Pharrell Williams. He has collaborated with artists such as Kendrick Lamar, Nipsey Hussle, Chance the Rapper and Miley Cyrus. His debut album “Harlan & Alondra,” was released in 2018. As an actor, Sims has appeared on shows such as “Rap Sh!t” at Max and “Bel-Air” at Peacock.
He is repped by Wrenn Management.
Malcolm Spellman will write and executive produce the pilot, with “Snowfall” alums Dave Andron, Thomas Schlamme, Julie DeJoie, Michael London and Trevor Engelson all executive producing as well. FX Productions is the studio. Created by the late great John Singleton as well as Eric Amadio and Andron, “Snowfall” explored the crack cocaine epidemic in South Central LA through the perspective of different characters. Those included budding drug kingpin Franklin Saint, CIA operative Teddy McDonald, and cartel enforcer Gustavo “El Oso” Zapata. The highly-popular show aired for six seasons on FX between 2017 and 2023.
