Actress Angela Lewis returns on FX drama series, Snowfall, reprising her role as Aunt Louie, a former addict who is determined to take the world by storm and pursue her dreams. At the end of season four, Louie was fighting for her life in a hospital after being shot by rivals.
Lewis recounted Louie’s journey, saying, “This is the biggest fight of her life because she had to fight all of her life, and the outcome of her shooting will determine her destiny.”
The characters in Snowfall began to realize the damage associated with earning fast money, but at the same time, they wanted a taste of what the world had to offer.
Snowfall just wrapped its fourth season and has received excellent reviews from Variety, The Atlantic, and Indiewire. Snowfall was the late John Singleton’s project before he passed away in 2019. The hit drama has been renewed for a fifth season.
Lewis’s journey is much like her character Louie. She has moved up in the acting game. The talented actress expressed her love and passion for theater and the arts. Her impeccable work landed her roles in off-Broadways plays, History of the World and Milk Like Sugar, television role on the HBO series, The Big C as the role of Laura Linney’s nurse, and appearances in TV shows such as Nickelodeon’s i-Carly. She continues to juggle marriage w/ actor J. Mallory Cree and motherhood while giving back to the community, including The Cancer Society of America, Black & Missing, and Leukemia Lymphoma Society.
Sister 2 Sister caught up with the Detroit native to chat about her role in the Snowfall series, marriage, motherhood, upcoming projects, and the late John Singleton.
Lewis kept it all the way 100.
Sister 2 Sister: We’re pretty sure that you heard about DMX passing and his apparent drug overdose. Now, you are on the hit show, Snowfall which sheds light on the crack epidemic. The show reveals the psychological effects of the epidemic and what comes with the lifestyle.
What is your take on DMX’s passing?
Angela: Well, hindsight is 20/20, right, and everyone is different. I think we know that we live in the after-effects of the crack epidemic and what crack has done and what it can do to people. We know the general narrative of a drug dealer or druggie; we know the story. But in the ’80s, we did not know back then. If they have known, would they have done it; I honestly don’t know. If Louie would’ve known the extent of how terrible the game really is, would she get involved; I don’t know.
But, I would say that most people get into the drug game out of desperation. You need to change your life or situation, or you feel desperate like you need more money or more power, and so you start doing things because of that state. There are a few times that people have done things out of desperation, and it goes well. I received DMs from people, saying, “Oh man, watching Snowfall has allowed me to the destruction of the game that I am in, and it’s making me think twice. And to me, that’s everything right there. That’s what I want to hear. I want people to see themselves on the screen and see the reality of the situation and make a better choice, make a more substantial choice from watching Snowfall.
S2S: Aunt Louie is someone on the show that goes for what she wants. She is in control, and no one is going to stand in her way. How do you feel about your Aunt Louie’s evolution within the last four seasons of the show?
Angela: I think Louie has always felt that way. When we see her on the show, she was at one of the lowest points in her life, but that doesn’t mean that she hasn’t always felt like a boss. She was told no most of her life, and every door was shut on her. But she was completely underestimated and not validated as a human being.
So she took the opportunity and changed her life around and proved to herself and the world that she is capable of much bigger things. I think that’s what she was set out to do, and kudos to her for being the type of person that would stand up for herself and can run things.
S2S: Would you say you and Aunt Louie’s personalities are similar?
Angela: I think there are some aspects of our personalities that are the same. I think we both have been underestimated in our lives, maybe her more than me. But I have for sure. We both have big dreams and go after what we want, but I am probably timider about mine. I am learning from Louie to speak up and, with the encouragement of the late John Singleton, to learn to stand in my power– all the time.
Apparently, we both give these killer looks when someone says the wrong thing to us. I think Aunt Louie has the capability to turn off the love factor more than me; she is a little more cold-blooded than I am.
S2S: Throughout the seasons, what was the hardest scene for you to film?
Angela: I don’t know. I had some challenging scenes, but I would have to say when Louie was beating the girl down off the stairs, off the porch. It was fun but super challenging because I am not a fighter. I’m not trying to beat nobody down but the realization was that she was compassionate but high off of sherm. The sherm contributed to those things, so I had to tap into that space, and it took me a minute. I was a little timid doing the fight scenes, and I am not a stunt person, a fighter, and I am not all of these things. I did not want to hurt the person that I was pretending to fight, so I was nervous.
But, once I got a confidence boost, they were yelling “Ra-Ra” to me, telling me that I can do the scene. Louie is a challenging character that approaches life differently, and the moments where she goes all out can be very challenging.
S2S: How does it make you feel that you are a series regular on a show that the late John Singleton was a part of?
Angela: I am grateful, and I try to stay in gratitude. It’s a life thing for me. And ever since I came on Snowfall, I have a lot more to be grateful for. It’s incredible to be cast as a series regular on a show. It’s even more incredible that the show lasted for four seasons, and it was just picked up for a fifth season– so that’s amazing. And then, working with giants like John and being a part of his legacy is completely an honor. I am just grateful for every minute I get in life.
S2S: How do you prepare for your roles, in general?
Angela: Well, it varies, depending on the role. Generally, I try to meditate, breathing is a part of it, and I try to understand what’s happening in the scene. It’s super important because you will be able to understand your stakes, the super important thing that is happening on screen, what is being revealed in the scene and understanding how it relates to the episode or series at large.
Having a keen understanding of those things is super important to me, and I just make sure I understand what’s going on and how my character feels about it. Acting is being yourself in these imaginary circumstances. So if I understand the circumstances, then that will inform everything, and a lot of times, people miss out on what’s really happening.
S2S: So I know you are a wife and a mom of a toddler. So how do you balance marriage, motherhood, and your demanding career?
Angela: I just do it; I just take one step at a time. I try to stay in the moment, and my husband and I stay on the same page with our schedules. It is important that my husband and I communicate, and if there is a breakdown in the communication, we acknowledge it, bicker, and just try to do better the next time.
We understand that things are going to fall off the railing sometimes, but how do you stay present at the moment and breathing so you can get back on the rail easily as possible and not beat yourself up when you fail or stumble? It is huge for me to remember not to beat myself up when I fail because we are not perfect.
S2S: You are already in a starring role on Snowfall. What is next for Angela Lewis?
Angela: I don’t know what’s next, but I know that there will be something. When will it happen? I don’t know. As an actress, I have learned you will never know when the good stuff is coming and when it’s not, and to be okay with that. Your source, your higher being, or whatever you call it, will always protect and guide you, so you just have to be open and listen.
Watch for your blessing without the attachment that it’s supposed to happen right now. I am in the beginning stages of my non-profit organization, Kindred Space L.A, and it focuses on the maternal health state. I am passionate about women being able to afford the resources given to them to have a healthy pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. You shouldn’t have a whole lot of money in order for you and your baby to be healthy, safe, and educated.
