How Atlanta inspired FX’s ‘The Drop: A Snowfall Saga’

A new period drama that explores the early stages of ‘90s West Coast hip-hop is a spinoff to a series depicting the effects crack had on Los Angeles in the 1980s.

“The Drop: A Snowfall Saga” is a continuation of “Snowfall,” a series created by John Singleton that premiered on FX in 2017. Airing Tuesdays at 9 p.m., the new scripted program addresses how hip-hop culture evolved from its New York origins and into the West Coast before landing in Atlanta.

“The Drop: A Snowfall Saga” also includes themes relating to skepticism toward rap music from the mainstream, police brutality, gang culture, family and Black life on the West Coast.

Despite both shows’ being based in Los Angeles, several cast and crew on “The Drop: A Snowfall Saga” were inspired to evolve in front of and behind the camera and continue Singleton’s vision after working on productions in and around metro Atlanta.

“The Drop: A Snowfall Saga” is created by Malcolm Spellman, a former writer on the television shows “Empire,” “Bel-Air” and “Truth Be Told.” He’s also “The Drop’s” executive producer, head writer and showrunner.

Spellman, who grew up in Berkeley, California, was inspired to write “The Drop” as a period piece based on his personal experiences navigating the music business in Los Angeles.

“At the time you’re watching this show, all we know is New York. This (Los Angeles) is where hip-hop stops before it comes and plants roots in Atlanta, where it’s been living ever since. Before we ever wrote a word, we were explaining to executives who may not have known the history of hip-hop that well,” he said.

In 2019, Singleton died after suffering a stroke at age 51. “Snowfall,” his most successful serial television program, continued another four seasons.

Spellman’s first attempt as leader and writer for television was Marvel Cinematic Universe’s “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier,” a 2021 limited series on Disney+ filmed throughout metro Atlanta. He also runs and owns Storefront Records, an Oakland-based independent record label formerly called Blackball Universe.

“When I’m at Marvel, I just get to be creative. On this show (“The Drop”), the buck stops with me, and that was a real difficult learning process,” Spellman said.

To bring realism to the show, Spellman brought on West Coast rappers Glasses Malone, Jason “Problem” Martin, G. Perico, William “WC” Calhoun and former gang member Skipp Townsend as series collaborators.

“I was able to bring in the realest of the real whether it’s real street dudes or people who work in the industry on hip-hop in the early ‘90s. They are in the writers’ room with us, they got a voice, and on set they have access. We had gatekeepers that created an authenticity I feel like is one of the signature things about the show,” Spellman said.

“It’s a level of Blackness that’s very specific in this show. These are somebodies in the culture, and they been knowing me 30 years, so I’ve got to get the s--t right.”

Series creator, executive producer and showrunner of 'The Drop: A Snowfall Saga' Malcolm Spellman speaks during a red carpet launch event at the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. on Sept. 1, 2026 (Courtesy of Paul Morigi/PictureGroup for FX).

College Park native Isaiah John reprises his role from “Snowfall” in “The Drop” as Leon Simmons, a drug dealer-turned-community organizer and ex-husband of Wanda Bell, played by Stone Mountain native Gail Bean.

John and Bean met while auditioning for “Snowfall” in 2017. He said their dedication to craft helped them to develop onscreen chemistry.

“It’s a lot of trust, and we click. The energy she gives Wanda matches me. When I push back, she pushes back. Giving us a script with characters that we’re both familiar with and telling us to perform a scene is second nature at this point,” John said.

Actor Peyton Alex Smith plays James “J-Loco” Kinsey, a member of the Crips street gang and protective older brother of young music producer Lamar Kinsey, played by Asante Blackk.

Smith’s previous roles include “The Quad,” “BMF” and “Legacies,” shows filmed around metro Atlanta. He also co-starred in “All American: Homecoming,” a spinoff to the CW’s “All American,” that took place at a fictional HBCU in Atlanta.

Smith said he prepares for roles by connecting with local production crews and residents where each show is based.

Actors Gail Bean as Wanda Bell, Peyton Alex Smith as James Kinsey and Asante Blackk as Lamar Kinsey on 'The Drop: A Snowfall Saga' Season 1, Episode 1 - 'Click Pop' - aired on FX on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026 (Courtesy of Ray Mickshaw/FX).

“There’s a responsibility in trying to get it right. I like to stay with the masses wherever I’m shooting at. I’m learning from anything and everything around me. Being in these environments and having extras, grips and random people be from there is super helpful to authenticate the show,” Smith said.

“With each job, those moments help me use some of those thoughts about love, religion or life I can put into this character, James, and make me into the person that I am now. I want to show a new part of me and try to stretch myself as an actor.”