9 Shows Like 'Snowfall' Known for Their Powerful Drama and Action-Packed Plot

"Snowfall" is the successor and predecessor of many compelling crime dramas that explore the web of drug trafficking through the lens of kingpins, civilians, and law enforcement. Each of those series explore the consequences each character faces in pursuit of what they feel promises a better life for themselves and others.

Recent years have seen a nostalgic romanticization of previous decades, such as the '80s and '90s, hailed for the style and culture that thrived during those times and has become a source of inspiration for today's trends. "Snowfall" brings that nostalgia to vibrant vision, a show set in 1983 Los Angeles; however, not without a stark juxtaposition.

Among the most acclaimed and award-winning shows on the FX network, "Snowfall" has offered viewers a gripping story of the crack pandemic that plagued the '80s and '90s. The show underwent in-depth preparation before filming, involving consultations with people who lived and witnessed the scourge of drugs in the city.

It follows the diverse lives of Franklin, Gustavo, Teddy, and Lucia, whose individual and connected fates depict the impact of drugs on minority communities. The show is currently running its sixth season, and since its inception, fans have wondered if it was based on a true story.

The creation of "Snowfall" relied heavily on real-life accounts, acquired through numerous consultations with civilians and law enforcement, of the cocaine pandemic in the United States. The late creator of the series, John Singleton, said Franklin was created from a recollection of his own upbringing, and he further reflected:

"All of a sudden people who had no money had access to capital. They didn't care if they brought death to the neighborhood, but grandmothers and aunties would gather around a vital figure in the neighborhood and support them."

Those gruesome realities only formed one part of the nightmare American cities became as this cocaine distribution also saw the rise of violence and crime. However, the most entrancing part of "Snowfall" wasn't its anchoring in lived history but the themes it addressed through its characters, including their family dynamics.

As "Snowfall" nears its end, this article invites the reader to explore more crime series that make the same social commentary, dramatize and humanize the well-documented lives of real drug kingpins, and expand on the long-existing themes tackled in "Snowfall."

The Wire (2002 - 2008)

While "Snowfall" is set in late 20th-century Los Angeles, the story of "The Wire" unravels from the early 2000s of the Baltimore drug scene. "The Wire" zoned in on media consumption, the Baltimore school and political systems, and the struggles of the working class, delving into each theme season by season.

Among the main reasons why "The Wire" is arguably considered one of the best crime shows is how the characters are all forced to adopt a grey moral compass. Whether they ruin lives or try to save them, they ultimately make choices that bring more complexity to who they are, leading the audience to acknowledge them beyond their primary roles.

Godfather of Harlem (2019 - )

Starring longtime actor Forest Whitaker, "Godfather of Harlem" follows newly-released Bumpy Johnson, a gangster who returns from serving his sentence to reclaim his drug territory: 1960s Harlem. The show is a prequel to the beloved 2007 film "American Gangster."

Johnson, a real-life crime figure, doesn't go about his business lightly. Understanding the powers he needs to regain control, he forms alliances with influential political figures to adapt to the changes in that time's culture. Like "Snowfall," "Godfather of Harlem" dramatizes the effects of drug distribution in New York City.

Power (2014-2020)

"Power" follows James "Ghost" St. Patrick (played by Omari Hardwick), who creates a double life as an intelligent businessman and drug kingpin. It begins with his aspirations to one day be a nightclub owner, as he acquires the means to quickly ascend to those ranks.

However, as the drug revenue rolls in, Ghost decides to stick around for longer and sinks deeper into the bowels of the criminal underworld. "Power," which also starred Joseph Sikora and 50 Cent, generated so much success it gave birth to three equally renowned spinoffs.

Narcos (2015 - 2017)

It became the show's main pull factor across the globe in the pilot season, despite its dialogue being mainly Spanish. "Narcos" became one of the most highly viewed shows not only for the thrill and intrigue it produced but, like "Snowfall," for highlighting the roles of authority figures in different institutions in the war on drugs.

Pedro Pascal poses at the "Narcos" season 3 New York Screening at AMC Loews Lincoln Square 13 theater on August 21, 2017, in New York City | Source: Getty Images

Top Boy (2011- )

A crime thriller set in a lucrative fictional estate in London sees two drug lords trudge their way into the criminal underworld. The story begins with Ra'Nell, a.k.a. Top Boy, who's thrown into poverty as a teen after his mother is admitted into a mental hospital.

Living out his adolescence in streets riddled with gangs, Ra'Nell finds himself sucked into organized crime. Having run for over a decade, the show consistently introduced new characters, through which it explored the lives of criminals and those trying to make an honest living.

Queen Sugar (2016–2022)

Starring Rutina Wesley, Kofi Siriboe, and Tina Lifford, "Queen Sugar" is about the lives of three siblings who inherit equal thirds of an 800-acre sugar cane farm from their deceased father. Like "Snowfall," the show tackles the ordinary lives of African Americans. Created by Ava DuVernay and executive produced by Oprah Winfrey, it aired on the latter's network OWN.

Dom (2021- )

Another riveting crime drama like "Snowfall" set in Rio de Janeiro, the story in "Dom" is a painful paradox that sees a police officer (Victor) dedicated to doing his part in ending the war on drugs while trying to help his son (Pedro), a drug addict and one of the most wanted criminals in Brazil.

Contrary to his father, Pedro has aspirations of climbing the ranks from drug merchant to drug lord in his city. It is this paradox that becomes the crux of the drama and the action as the story builds. "Dom" also zones in on the impact of narcotics on teenagers, and Pedro's rise to wealth has been said to mirror Franklin's in "Snowfall."

ZeroZeroZero (2019-2020)

A crime thriller mini-series, it carefully compacts and connects the fates of several characters surrounding a cocaine shipment acquired by an Italian cartel. Despite having multiple storylines simultaneously unravel, "ZeroZeroZero" impressively keeps the viewer engaged.

The series was adapted from Roberto Saviano's novel of the same name and tackled the international cocaine trade, as the said shipment goes through many hands before reaching its destination. It stars Andrea Riseborough, Dane DeHaan, and Guiseppe De Domenico.

When They See Us (2019)

"When They See Us" sees similar themes explored in "Snowfall." The biographical drama dramatizes the gut-wrenching story of five then-young boys, the Central Park Five, falsely accused of sexually assaulting a white woman in Central Park in the late '80s.

Created by Ava DuVernay, "When They See Us" pulls the viewer into an abrupt turn of events for the Central Park Five by putting little focus on their lives before their adolescence was cut short, convicted of a crime they never committed.

"When They See Us" depicted a powerful story that touched the hearts of many, honoring the injustice faced by those men of color. It made striking social commentary about the faults of the American justice system from numerous angles.

The actors who portrayed Central Park Five, including Asante Blackk, Caleel Harris, and Ethan Herisse, were lauded for their performances. The show, divided into four parts, won over 30 awards, including two Primetime Emmys out of 78 nominations. The cast also included Hollywood stars Niecey Nash, John Leguizamo, and Michael Kenneth Williams.

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