SavingGrace Angela Lewis

The sixth and final season of Snowfall will premiere on Wednesday, February 22. The end of the critically acclaimed FX Network hit–that tells the origins of the crack cocaine epidemic in Los Angeles during the early 80’s will mark the beginning of a new chapter for actress Angela Lewis–one of crime drama’s breakout stars.

Lewis who debuted in the role of Aunt Louie with the launch of the show in 2017 has become a fan favorite of the top-rated network series that has titillated an average 4 million viewers with its heart-stopping drama for the last five seasons.

Its final season promises more of the same with the walls caving in on everyone, including Lewis’ character as Franklin (Damson Idris) is desperate and forced to rob his Aunt Louie and Uncle Jerome (Amin Joseph) after being wiped out by former CIA officer Teddy McDonald (Carter Hudson). Meanwhile, Louie has taken over Franklin’s role as Teddy’s sole buyer, undercutting her nephew and creating a competing empire in the process.

The evolution of her character from loving, protective and supportive aunt into villainess Queenpin

Louie being the villain is that she’s not just mean or evil, she has a point,” says Lewis, who is as focused offscreen as she is on.

“Louie is fearless. She lives in her power”, Lewis adds. “What I knew was that it was important to FX and the executives of ‘Snowfall’ that Louie be smart, and I think over the years we’ve really leaned into that. She’s taught me in my own personal life how to step into and live in my own power, how to say what it is that I want, how to say what I don’t want, how to articulate the vision that I have for myself.”

It is a vision that was birthed growing up in Detroit and fostered at Cass Technical High School and the University of Michigan. After graduating from University of Michigan’s theater department, the East Detroit native moved to New York to be on stage-- where she would spend 13 years wading into the depths of modern off-Broadway original productions.

“I really felt like I was standing at the brink of American theater there,” recalls Lewis of her time in New York.

“My favorite part of theater is the rehearsal process. It's the time where everybody's hearts are wide open, and everybody comes to the table to work and explore. From the actors to the director, to even the writers, everybody is trying to find the best way to tell this story.

“In the rehearsal process, you're trying new things. Nothing is set in stone. Everything is fresh, new, scary and exciting. You're creating this world,” says Lewis. “Granted, the audience absolutely brings that last element to reenergize the process, because you can only edit so long.”

Lewis worked on original plays by up-and-coming playwrights such as Dominique Morisseau (The Detroit Projects), Katori Hall (The Mountaintop), and Tarell Alvin McCraney who would go on to write the “Best Picture” winning film, Moonlight.

It was working on one of these original productions outside of New York, during a run at the La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego, California, where Angela met the love of her life, fellow actor Jamal Mallory McCree (Quantico, Homeland). Upon falling in love with the sunshine and natural beauty of Southern California, the couple made it their plan to move out to Los Angeles after their marriage.

After scoring appearances on T.V. shows such as “The Good Wife” and “Law and Order: Special Victims Unit”, Angela Lewis finally got her big break as a series regular on Snowfall created by John Singleton (Boyz N The Hood, Hustle & Flow).

The role is fresh ground for the multi-talented and artistically adventurous Lewis, which is something she doesn’t shy away from.

“I definitely have never played a drug dealer before,” says Lewis of her hot-tempered character. “I've played women having a hard time in life from urban areas and things like that, but Louie is by far the most hardcore person I've ever played.”

Snowfall may have initially been a new space for Angela Lewis artistically, the career actress told L.A. Focus that being uncomfortable and diving into the creative process is not only part of the job she enjoys, but it’s where she thrives.

In following her dreams, it’s been faith that has anchored her and filled her heart and mind with reassurance.

“About three-quarters into my time in New York, I realized faith is in action word,” Lewis said. “It’s easy to say, but if you don’t believe that everything is going to work out when things aren’t working out, do you really have faith?

“When I learned this, it's not that I stopped having challenges, but my life became so much easier-- the understanding that God has always had me. I am supported by life itself. Life is for me, just like life is for you. When that became clear, it really helped to make my path easier,” says Lewis who is a regular at Agape International Spiritual Center and takes inspiration from the work of Reverend Michael Beckwith.

“I practice prayer and meditation. There's nothing like taking time to get quiet and to observe the understanding that I am not my thoughts. Everyone has a billion and one thoughts per day-- I might think bad thoughts or sad thoughts or they might even be exciting thoughts, but they do not define me.

“Feeling my connections to all of that there is, is just one of the most beautiful experiences I've ever been exposed to-- and so, I try to be in that space all the time.”

While she is sad to say goodbye to Snowfall and the relationships she has built, Lewis–now pregnant with her second child–is excited about what is to come.

“I hear the saying, ‘you are your ancestors’ wildest imaginations,’ and I can really relate,” she says. “You hear people talk about how hard it is to navigate in this industry when you see it on paper. It’s an impossible thing that we’re doing. I just try to show up every day as my best self, knowing that impossible is just a word.”