Snowfall's Isaiah John knows he has the best show on TV, talks FX's takeover and 'Breaking Bad' comparisons (Exclusive)
There’s no competition when it comes to ‘Snowfall’ these days - or better yet, these years. What the series has delivered consistently since 2017 is mind-blowing to say the least and with an explosive season five in full swing, it’s only right fan favorite Isaiah John chops it up with Attack The Culture to dish on endless topics.
Whether we’re talking about Wednesdays now becoming the best day of the week or how much women are the true driving forces behind ‘Snowfall,’ there’s no end to this conversation. Check out some of the highlights of Isaiah John’s chop up session - including cutting hair signature hair down low and embracing daddy duties - and check out the full interview at the bottom.
Most importantly, how has the media day been for you so far?
Isaiah: Oh man, it started earlier. It’s been going good. No complaints.
Got you, real quick - you’ve gotta explain the new look. I know you went to the IG Story and you were like ‘R.I.P. to the long hair.’ Explain. Did [‘Snowfall’ star] Damson have something to do with this, a little GQ type of look or what?
Isaiah: You know what it was, I was literally trying on clothes for today and I’m in the fitting room and the hair is in my face and I’m just dripping sweat. I’m hot. I’m like, ‘You know what? My hair’s gotta go.’ So I call my agent, I said, ‘Hey look, I don’t know if I could do this anymore.’ They said, ‘Okay, then go ahead and this will be better anyway.’ So I went home and boom.’
How does that work? Because in Hollywood, you have so many different parts and because you’ve built such a signature look for how you look in ‘Snowfall’ for example, do you have to call up the team and be like, ‘Yo, I’m really about to do this?’
Isaiah: For me, I like to include my team in decisions like that because I have had my hair for a while. I started growing it for over a year so it’s all about reinventing yourself anyway and changing your look. Especially for different roles and things of that nature.
First and foremost, can we acknowledge Wednesdays are the new Fridays? Especially around this time of year, we have ‘Snowfall’ - Isaiah, just talk about what Wednesdays are like for you and as a fan, knowing what’s to come - you see it on social media - talk about Wednesdays being the new Friday.
Isaiah: It’s a party for me. I’m always at my mom’s house watching the show with my family. So it’s always family time and I’m alway on Twitter reading people’s tweets. It’s cool. I like to live tweet and I like to watch Twitter while I watch it because it’s almost like everyone’s in the same living room watching it together. So Wednesdays are a whole big party and a celebration.
And I wanted to save this for later but because you’ve mentioned the family element, is your little mini-me Isaiah John nearby? I know you go hard on social media and don’t apologize for posting your baby boy - go hard on that. Give us an idea of where baby Isaiah John is during these Wednesday ‘Snowfall’ family gatherings.
Isaiah: He’s right there in my lap. He probably shouldn’t be watching ‘Snowfall’ but he’s right there. Honestly, he’s focused on me at the time. He’s like, ‘Da-da-da,’ so it’s all me at that point.
If you were to put ‘Snowfall’ in a Verzuz type setting - what like two or three shows would give you the best run for the money? Of course the legend John Singleton once said ‘Ghetto ‘Game of Thrones,’’ - who do you put ‘Snowfall’ up there with in regard to classic episodes, classic seasons, who is kind of up there in your mind?
Isaiah: Another one I heard was ‘Breaking Bad.’ I know it’s different but people have [compared them]. I’ve heard that a lot. ‘Breaking Bad’ would be up there with ‘Snowfall’ as well.
Definitely talk about the line-up that FX has. I know people are so tired of paying for Disney+ and Netflix and for FX to be providing such dope content whether it’s ‘Snowfall’ whether it’s ‘Atlanta’ whether it’s ‘Dave’ with Lil Dicky, there’s so many dope programs which really speak to our culture especially. Talk about the power FX has been bringing.
Isaiah: One thing I love about FX is they have really allowed us to be creative and free in the moment. I don’t feel as an artist I’m being micromanaged when it comes to my performances or my ideas for my character. I think because they allow the artist to be free in creating, it makes these shows that much more relatable and better because we’re free. We get to do what we feel the character needs. So I think that’s what makes FX great.
Five seasons in, what’s been your favorite season thus far? There’s been so much evolution and shocking moments, I’ve gotta say this season has been amazing. Your character is getting so much love.
Isaiah: I say my favorite season is season four because there was so much going on with Leone especially during that season. It really pushed me as an actor so that’s hands down my favorite season because it was the most challenging.
Got you. Continuation of that question, your favorite episode of all time? It doesn’t have to be from season four but if there’s like an episode - maybe it was an off-set chemistry or what happened behind the scenes or what that episode represented personally, is there one episode that is forever your favorite?
Isaiah: The season finale for season two. That jail scene with Damson. That right there unlocked something within me as far as me performing this specific character. That’s 100 percent my favorite episode.
There’s way more to this chop up session - check out the full interview to watch Isaiah John talk about the game-changing element women play in ‘Snowfall,’ John Singleton’s lasting legacy, the intentional lack of special guests and tons more.
