‘Snowfall’ Spinoff Starring Gail Bean and Isaiah John: Everything You Need to Know

The critically acclaimed FX series Snowfall concluded its six-season run in 2023. Now, a spinoff featuring two familiar faces—Gail Bean’s Wanda and Isaiah John’s Leon —is moving forward, with FX officially ordering a pilot.

A New Chapter For Wanda and Leon

Snowfall, co-created by the late John Singleton, Eric Amadio, and Dave Andron, explored the origins of the crack cocaine epidemic in South Central Los Angeles in the 80s and 90s. The series, led by Damson Idris as Franklin Saint, gained a dedicated following over its six seasons. After the finale aired in April 2023, speculation about a potential spinoff began, and in March 2023, Deadline reported that a project centered on Gail Bean’s character, Wanda, was in early development.

Fast forward to March 2025, and FX has greenlit a pilot for the untitled Snowfall spinoff, bringing back Gail Bean as Wanda Bell-Simmons and Isaiah John as Leon Simmons.

Who’s Returning To The ‘Snowfall’ Spinoff?

The spinoff will center on Wanda and Leon, who were integral to the narrative in the original series. Wanda, initially introduced as Leon’s girlfriend, struggled with addiction before emerging as a survivor by the series’ end. Leon, Franklin Saint’s best friend and second-in-command, transitioned from a life of crime to one of purpose, eventually moving to Ghana with Wanda in the final season.

Both actors have confirmed their return for the spinoff, while no other cast members from the original series have been announced.

‘Snowfall’ Spinoff Plot Details: A Shift to the Gangster Rap Era

The spinoff picks up in 1990s Los Angeles, shortly after the events of Snowfall’s finale. According to the official logline, the story follows Wanda, a recovering addict, as she strives to take West Coast rap mainstream amid a brewing gang war. This premise shifts the focus from the drug trade that defined the series to the rise of the “gangster rap” business.

The original series highlighted the impact of crack cocaine on the community, often tying in real-world influences like the Bloods and Crips gangs. The spinoff builds on this foundation while exploring how the region transitioned into a new phase marked by music and ongoing conflict. Wanda’s pursuit of a music career, briefly mentioned in the Snowfall finale, serves as a narrative bridge, while Leon’s presence suggests his continued role as her partner and support system.

Production Updates: Pilot Ordered, Filming Set for Summer 2025

Production is slated to begin in the summer of 2025. The project remains with FX Productions. Executive producers include Snowfall alums Dave Andron, Thomas Schlamme, Julie DeJoie, Michael London, and Trevor Engelson.

While the pilot order is a promising milestone, the spinoff’s future hinges on its performance. If successful, FX could greenlight a full series, potentially bringing Wanda and Leon’s story to screens in 2026 or beyond. No official release date or title has been confirmed yet.