Fans of FX's Snowfall no doubt have fallen in love with the core cast of the show. From Franklin Saint to relatively new characters like Manboy and Skully, Snowfall is full of lovable antiheroes. But perhaps no one jumped straight into hearts the way Angela Lewis' Aunt Louie did the first time we saw her storm out of her house and handle business on her front porch.
With all the ride or die energy of every round the way girl, and the street smarts of a woman whose had to take care of herself by any means necessary, Lewis breathes a sincerity into Louie that can only be done by a woman who possesses the level of soulful depth that she holds. Full of grit and yet still tender, what Angela Lewis does with Louie is something we've long wanted to see on screen—she paints a picture of a girl from the hood with more than just the usual colors of attitude and toughness. She paints her with elegant strokes of love, loyalty, and intelligence. It is the work of an actress with a long career ahead of her.
The Detroit native is settling into her various roles as mother, wife, and resident face on our screens with grace and preparing us all for what's to come as Season 4 of Snowfall amps up over the next few weeks.
Iman Milner: You've been on this show for four seasons, and you've become a mom during this time. Who would you say you are now? How have you grown as your life and career have expanded?
Angela Lewis: I think of myself as a student of life. I am constantly evolving. I don't think being a mother has changed me as much as it's highlighted and reinforced some things that were already burgeoning. Now, more than ever, it's important that I remain a person who continues to learn and actively seek out more information. By information, I mean not only book learning, but things about the world around me and what's happening on the inside of me. There's so much happening on the outside that it can get overwhelming, so it's my job to seek out ways to keep myself uplifted, joyous, and grounded. To keep myself love. I want my daughter to be able to experience love from the inside exuding out. That's the most important thing that I am experiencing now—how to keep myself lifted during these times.
IM: How do you make time for yourself after juggling all of the things on your plate? Between the show, mothering, and all of the other responsibilities women take on?
AL: When I don't meditate, I definitely feel the difference. So, I make sure to do that because it keeps me connected to all that I am. It reminds me that I have an inner voice that is my source. No matter who my boss is, no matter what I am doing—there is a much larger thing that I am directly connected to. My prosperity doesn't come from who we might think it does, it comes from life itself, and you can't lose with that. Being able to take time out of my day to just sit with myself—even if it doesn't look the way it used to before the baby—and really understanding the fullness of meditation, I can be mindful no matter where I am or what's going on. I try to remember to be kind to myself too. I don't always accomplish all of my goals the first time around, or I do, and then a week later, I fall again. So, I remember to be loving and kind to myself no matter what's going on.
IM: One thing I love about Snowfall is that there is always space being made for the reality of how many lives were lost during the crack era. Can you speak to how you guys keep that accountability as a through-line on the show?
AL: The show's intention has always been to tell the truth, and the reality of our show is really dark, ugly, and sad. We don't shy away from that. We would be glamorizing something that we aren't trying to put on a pedestal if we were to do that. We'll get a script, do a table read, and just get gutted by the end. Just when you get caught up in rooting for them, something happens that takes your breath away. That's been our existence here in this country, especially during that time.
IM: The female characters on the show are so heavily intertwined in Franklin's business. How do you feel the women on the show propel the narrative forward?
AL: Our showrunners and John (Singleton), when he was here, made a conscious effort to have the women be imperative to the storyline. Surrounding Franklin, being multifaceted, and being smart—that's all been done on purpose.
IM: What would you say has been the most exciting part of Louie's arc?
AL: I love watching Louie get the power, and I am excited to see where she'll end up should we get a season five. Right now, we're watching her have to give some of that power back to Franklin now that he's back, and she's not happy about that so, how is she going to handle that? And what is she going to do to keep proving herself? Now I think it's not just about proving herself to Franklin, but now she's trying to prove herself to herself. She fought so hard because she felt like she could be somebody, but now she realizes she can dream bigger.
IM: I know you can't tell us a lot, but what can we expect from the rest of this season? Are we going to be left with any edges at all?
AL: People are definitely going to be heartbroken when this season ends. Definitely won't have any edges. All of the relationships are being tested. The familial bonds are being strained. The government component is experiencing pressure. When people get backed into a corner, they come out kicking and screaming and punching—it gets real wild. That's what I'll say, the show gets wild.
Snowfall airs on FX Wednesdays at 10 pm EST. And on Hulu the following day.