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The Drop: A Snowfall Saga cast – who stars in season 1?
Your essential guide to the cast of The Drop: A Snowfall Saga.
FX/Disney+
- David Craig
Published: Thursday, 10 September 2026 at 4:00 pm
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The Drop: A Snowfall Saga has launched on Disney+, carrying two of the parent drama's most beloved characters to a new chapter in 1990s Los Angeles.
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Shifting focus from the crack cocaine trade to the rise of West Coast hip-hop, the FX spin-off follows Wanda Bell (Gail Bean) and Leon Simmons (Isaiah John) as they try to build a future beyond the world they've known.
Wanda chases a foothold in LA's booming rap scene, leaning on her cousin Lamar and a rising rapper named Artillery, while Leon runs a free legal clinic and remains wary about the dangers of the music business.
If you're intrigued for this promising new chapter for the hit franchise, read on for your full introduction to the new and returning The Drop: A Snowfall Saga.
The Drop: A Snowfall Saga season 1 cast list
Here's a concise overview of The Drop: A Snowfall Saga cast – read on for more detailed profiles on each character and the actor playing them, including where you might have seen them before.
- Gail Bean as Wanda Bell-Simmons
- Isaiah John as Leon Simmons
- Asante Blackk as Lamar Kinsey
- Peyton Alex Smith as James Kinsey
- Simmie Sims III (Buddy) as Artillery
- Brandon Mychal Smith as Darryl "DG" Grant
- Mykelti Williamson as "Big Daddy" Casey
- Eric Balfour as Leonard Vance
- Quincy Chad as Deon "Big D" Barber
Gail Bean as Wanda Bell-Simmons
Gail Bean stars in The Drop: A Snowfall Saga. FX/Disney+
About the character: Wanda is the heart of The Drop, an ambitious woman trying to break into LA's rap scene as the city moves past the crack epidemic. It is a role Bean first played across Snowfall, where Wanda became involved with the drug trade and struggled with addiction before finding a path forward.
Where you've seen Gail Bean before: Bean broke through as Wanda Bell on Snowfall, appearing from 2018 to 2023. She also played Rasheeda in Insecure and Roulette in P-Valley, with further credits including Atlanta, Detroiters, Chicago P.D. and Grey's Anatomy.
Isaiah John as Leon Simmons
Isaiah John stars in The Drop: A Snowfall Saga. FX/Disney+
About the character: Leon runs a free legal clinic and acts as a voice of caution for Wanda, warning her about the pitfalls of the music business. He was Franklin Saint's close friend and right-hand man throughout Snowfall.
Where you've seen Isaiah John before: John is best known for playing Leon Simmons on Snowfall, a part he held from 2017 to 2023 across 57 episodes and the role that marked his major career breakout.
Asante Blackk as Lamar Kinsey
Asante Blackk and Gail Bean photographed at the premiere of The Drop: A Snowfall Saga. Paul Morigi/FX via Getty Images
About the character: Lamar is Wanda's cousin and one of her key allies as she tries to make her way in the rap world.
Where you've seen Asante Blackk before: Blackk earned a Primetime Emmy nomination for his breakout role as the teenage Kevin Richardson in Ava DuVernay's When They See Us in 2019. He went on to play Malik Hodges on This Is Us from 2019 to 2022.
Peyton Alex Smith as James Kinsey
Peyton Alex Smith attends FX’s The Drop: A Snowfall Saga red carpet. Paul Morigi/FX via Getty Images
About the character: James is part of the Kinsey family at the centre of the series.
Where you've seen Peyton Alex Smith before: An actor and rapper, Smith is best known for playing Damon Sims in All American and its spin-off All American: Homecoming. He also appeared as Rafael Waithe in Legacies and Cedric Hobbs in The Quad, with earlier film work including Detroit.
Simmie 'Buddy' Sims III as Artillery
Simmie 'Buddy' Sims III attends FX's The Drop: A Snowfall Saga red carpet. Paul Morigi/FX via Getty Images
About the character: Artillery is a rising rapper whose ascent is closely tied to Wanda's own bid to break into the music industry.
Where you've seen Simmie Sims III before: Better known by his stage name Buddy, Sims is an American rapper whose casting brings some bonafide musical experience to the West Coast hip-hop world of The Drop.
Brandon Mychal Smith as Darryl 'DG' Grant
Brandon Mychal Smith at SXSW Festival 2023 Gary Miller/Getty Images for 20th Digital Studio
About the character: DG is among the supporting figures in Wanda and Leon's orbit this season.
Where you've seen Brandon Mychal Smith before: An actor and singer, Smith is known for Disney Channel roles including Nico Harris in Sonny with a Chance and So Random!, plus Stubby in Starstruck. He also played Little Richard in Get on Up and Sam in You're the Worst.
Mykelti Williamson as 'Big Daddy' Casey
Mykelti Williamson attends the 8th Annual AAFCA TV Honours in August 2026. Brianna Bryson/WireImage
About the character: Williamson plays the family patriarch figure 'Big Daddy' Casey.
Where you've seen Mykelti Williamson before: Williamson is best known as Benjamin Buford 'Bubba' Blue in Forrest Gump, his signature film role. His wider career spans Con Air, Ali, Fences, 24, Justified and the TV series Boomtown.
Eric Balfour as Leonard Vance
Eric Balfour attends Hulu's season 6 premiere of The Handmaid's Tale. Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images
About the character: Balfour takes on the role of Leonard Vance in the ensemble.
Where you've seen Eric Balfour before: Balfour is known for playing Milo Pressman on 24 and Duke Crocker across five seasons of Haven from 2010 to 2015. His other credits include Six Feet Under, The OC and Ray Donovan.
Supporting and guest The Drop: A Snowfall Saga cast
The wider ensemble also includes Quincy Chad as Deon 'Big D' Barber, alongside Nicki Micheaux, Isidora Goreshter, Zaire Adams and Demetrius Grosse in roles that were not disclosed prior to the premiere.
The Drop: A Snowfall Saga is coming soon to Disney+. You can sign up to Disney+ from £4.99 a month.
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Authors
David CraigSenior Drama Writer
David Craig is the Senior Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering the latest and greatest scripted drama and comedy across television and streaming. Previously, he worked at Starburst Magazine, presented The Winter King Podcast for ITVX and studied Journalism at the University of Sheffield.
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