Was it difficult shooting in this season in the pandemic?
It was difficult, because although we all
have our processes as actors, we had
to be respectful to the virus.
We had to remember that there's bigger things at stake
right now, such as health.
And for that reason, a lot of us were a bit timid to come back.
But coming to the end of it, it was all worth it.
And us working in the pandemic proved to me that this industry
can still strive and overcome adversity,
no matter what you throw at it.
So yeah.
It was difficult, but in the long run
it was brilliant to get through.
Could you see yourself playing another role on Snowfall other
than Franklin?
I could definitely see myself playing another role on,
on Snowfall and if I were to play in a role,
it would be Gale Bean's character Wonder Bill.
If Damson Idris had just had a theme song, what would it be?
And what is Franklin's theme song?
I think my theme song is a Sade, Smooth Operator.
And I think Franklin's theme song is Sade, Smooth Operator.
Definitely, definitely.
If Franklin could change two things, what would they be?
I think he would not kill his close friend Kevin.
And secondly, I think if he could turn back time,
he wouldn't contribute to Melody being
addicted to crack cocaine.
Is it tough playing this role?
It is tough playing Franklin Saint.
One, because as the seasons go on, we gather more viewers.
The show is growing, and for that reason,
we hope to keep the bar as high as possible.
That's an immense amount of pressure.
Two, it's tough because every day I walk on set,
I want to make John Singleton proud.
And three, it's tough because Franklin Saint
represents so many young black boys
who went down the wrong path.
And in order to do them justice and represent them
in the best way possible, it takes a great deal
of focus and dedication.
And that could take a lot out of you as an artist.
So I'd say that's the toughest three
things about playing Franklin.
How has John Singleton's passing affected Snowfall?
The biggest way Singleton's passing has affected Snowfall
is John was really passionate about the show,
and that passion moved through our crew.
And in his absence, we've lost some of that.
Some of that boyish, kiddish energy
that he always brought to set.
You know, he'd, he'd scream, "That's
what I'm talking about."
Like, any time he did a good scene, like, he'd
run out and give you a pound.
And miss that.
But above all things, he left us the codes to carry on.
And, and alongside constantly trying to make him proud
was staying true to his vision, and staying true to everything
he wanted to bring to the universe.
So he's not with us, but he's still with us.
If you didn't do this role in Snowfall,
who do you think would do it just as well?
So many people, because I know a lot of people who come up
to me, and they'll do a whole Franklin
impersonation in front of me.
I'd say my home boy Daniel Khalil
would kill it plan Franklin.
Where do you draw the inspiration
to play Franklin Saint?
From three people.
Three people influenced me building this character.
The first was Denzel Washington's Frank
Lucas in American Gangster.
That's my favorite movie.
And his focus on family and, and, and achieving what he
wanted to achieve by any means necessary
was hugely influential to Franklin's mentality.
Bryan Cranston's Walter White in Breaking Bad.
His arc moving from vulnerable teacher
to feared drug lord, that inspired me.
And the third one was a weird one.
It was, it was Andy Circus's Cesar
on Planet of the Apes, his vigilance and his leadership.
I watched that movie again, and again, and again,
and was completely inspired by the way Caesar carried himself.
And, and that hugely influenced how Franklin carries himself.
What made you choose to be an actor?
In a nutshell, I had a compulsion with humans, man,
and, and exploring different realities,
and connecting to different realities.
And I thought football, soccer for you Americans,
was, was going to do it for me.
But, but God had a different calling, man.
And, and acting is one that, not only is going to help me
connect to the world, but it's going
to help me connect to the world for a very long time.
During season one, did you think Snowfall would get this big?
No.
I was praying that we'd get a season two.
And I was like, yeah we'll do two seasons.
That was in my head, like, and then they picked up the pilot.
They did season one, and it was a struggle to get season two.
But when we got it, man, we never looked back,
and we've been running with it ever since.
And still every time we get a new season, is shocking to me.
But it's also fulfilling and fantastic,
because I know that next season is going
to create opportunities for dreamers like myself
to do what they love.
What are some of the characteristics
that you and Franklin Saint have in common?
We're both tall, dark, and handsome.
Planned.
I'd say the biggest comparison me
and Franklin have is our love for our mothers
and that importance.
That's I think what we have in common,
and that's the biggest characteristic
that I draw from Franklin in general anyway.
Do you catch yourself talking like Franklin Saint on regular
days when you're not working?
On regular days when I'm not working, yes.
Sometimes I do talk that Franklin Saint.
Can't help it.
It's mostly when I chill with my friends who are from LA.
I'll just randomly just start to talk.
And they don't even correct me.
They're just-- it's weird man.
And it's why it's going to be even more difficult to one day
say goodbye to Franklin Saint.
But for now, I'm enjoying the ride.
You feel me?
What's the hardest scene you've had to film in Snowfall,
and why?
Oh, there's been so many.
Oh.
The hardest scene I've had to film on Snowfall
was season one, episode five when Franklin
gets choked by the police.
That was so difficult for me to film.
We had so many background artists with us.
The entire cast was there.
It was a fourth 4th of July episode.
And while Franklin's getting choked,
I immediately felt the energy of so many
young, innocent, Black victims who have
experienced police brutality.
And all the while that that was happening,
his father walked away from him, and that
was incredibly personal too.
So I immediately started crying in front of everyone,
in front of the whole crew, the cast, everyone.
I was-- after they yelled cut, I was crying, crying, crying.
I couldn't stop crying, because that energy in that moment
was so spiritual.
And that was the most difficult moment for me
to film in Snowfall.
What's your favorite episode in Snowfall?
My favorite episode in Snowfall is season two, episode 10,
because it was the last episode that John Singleton directed.
And it was it was the first time that I played
with approaching my work in a different way
with a different method.
And what came out of it, I was incredibly proud of.
And Leon's iconic speech is in that, that episode too.
So, so that was my that was my favorite episode.
When, when he, he, he says to Franklin,
"Any, anybody try you?"
I love that scene.
And my favorite moment in the whole season
is, is the brick by brick scene, man, just like everyone else.
It was hot that day in that car.
And me and Leon were ready.
But it's so fun and amazing to see so many actors
reenact that scene.
And people are using it as monologues when
they apply for drama school.
And, and that's what I'm proud of,
so that's why that moment's my favorite.
The funniest cast member on set is definitely
a tie between Alorne Brookport who plays Alvie and Aymond
Joseph who plays uncle Jerome.
Alorne is hilarious just simply of the way he looks.
Like, this guy would be wearing Speedos,
and, and have, trying to have a serious conversation
with the director.
He's like, so what do you want me to do?
So when I come out, should I be angry,
or should I be more calm?
And he's wearing Speedos.
So it's just funny.
And then, I'd say Aymond, because he's just a G, man.
He's so funny, so wise, and he can make one word of a line
just be so iconic and hilarious.
Slap yo daddy.
What should fans expect coming into season four?
They should expect to be educated.
They should expect to be entertained, of course.
But above all things, they should watch the season
and understand that crack cocaine is something that
should be considered by everyone as a health
crisis, and not a comedy.
Many people got involved in the selling of this drug
because they wanted to better their communities,
their families.
And many people became victim to it,
because they had no other way of escaping
their horrific reality.
And when we look at places such as Skid Row today,
I want to show to make the viewer pause,
look at their life, and think how can they contribute
to better in the lives of people who are in that situation,
rather than turning a blind eye on them
and, and pretending like they don't exist.
I hope the show contributes to that.
I hope the show contributes to that discussion.
And in doing so, I hope it makes us all better people.
That's the Damson Idris Q&A. Thank you so much.
Can't wait for you guys to tell me how much you
love this season, or hate it.
Hopefully you don't hate it.
Hopefully you love it.
I think you're going to love it.
I love it.
Peace.