Snowpiercer, the apocalyptic sci-fi drama, is nearing the end of its journey as the fourth and final season is set to air on AMC+ beginning July 21. It’s an ending that fans of the show were almost denied, as the series was canceled by TNT after the fourth season had already finished filming. AMC picked up the season, and showrunner Paul Zbyszewski has now spoken with Screen Rant about bringing a satisfying end to the series, which stars Daveed Diggs and Jennifer Connelly and is based on the 2013 Bong Joon-Ho film of the same name.
Zbyszewski had a big task going into Snowpiercer season 4, taking over as the showrunner for the final season and crafting an ending that satisfies fans. He said the vewers’ expectations are considered, but ultimately the writers must serve the character first. Check out what he had to say below:
“For us, it was really in the writers’ room. We just talked about story and character arcs and emotion. What are the journeys that we want to go on? And where do we want these people to land in terms of in relation to each other as people? What’s satisfying for each of these characters, and for fans of the show…So we started with character, and we really end with character. That’s what it’s about.”
The series tells the story of humanity’s last living survivors, who have taken refuge on a futuristic train (named Snowpiercer) after climate change has lowered the earth’s temperature to nearly -200 degrees Fahrenheit. Daveed Diggs (Hamilton, The Little Mermaid) plays Andre Layton, who becomes the de facto leader of the “tailies,” a group of passengers too poor to afford to live in the luxurious front of the train, where the rich purchased passage when the world began to end.
The 1001-car train is powered by the “Eternal Engine,” which never stops, otherwise everyone inside would perish. The series is a mix of sci-fi, human drama, and social commentary, as the rich aboard the train battle to keep power when the “tailies” revolt in search of food and humane treatment. Sean Bean plays Wilford, the ruthless but reclusive designer of the train and its engine, who is treated like a savior by the rich passengers. Oscar winner Jennifer Connelly plays Melanie, the train’s brilliant engineer, who finds her loyalties tested when the revolt occurs.
How the TV Adaptation Differs from the Snowpiercer Movie
For many viewers of the series, the Snowpiercer tale may be new to them, but it originated as a French comic in 1982. Bong Joon-Ho adapted it to film in 2013, years before he became a familiar name to American film fans with his Best Picture Oscar winner Parasite (2019). His film starred Chris Evans, fresh off his appearance in Marvel’s The Avengers, as Curtis, the leader of the “tailies.” His star power didn’t help the film, which received a limited release and earned less than $5 million in America during its theatrical run.
Related
Why Was Snowpiercer Canceled on TNT After Filming the Fourth Season?
Snowpiercer’s final season is set to debut this summer on AMC after it was axed before airing by the original network, TNT. What happened?
The TV series is a reimagining of the film version, carrying over many of the same themes with an all-new cast. Bong Joon-Ho serves as an executive producer, but is not directly involved in the creative process. The film is strongly focused on class warfare and is heavy on social commentary, while the series explores more personal relationships with subplots. Connelly’s character is new for the series, but adds a new dynamic between the main characters. Despite her limited availability to film, Zbyszewski was grateful to have the actress as much as he did:
“We were just thrilled to have her, because she’s really one of the best in the business.”
Season 4 will take the story past anything the film did, with the discovery of “warm spots” in the frozen wasteland. The Snowpiercer passengers exit the train in an attempt to start life again, only to realize there are survivors in the cold, led by the dangerous Admiral Milius (Clark Gregg). The series also stars Mickey Sumner as Bess, Alison Wright as Ruth, Mike O’Malley as Sam, Annalise Basso as LJ, and Lena Hall as Miss Audrey.
Snowpiercer
season 4 premieres on July 21 on AMC+. The three previous seasons are available to stream on AMC+.