On January 1, 2023, the Australian criminal thriller series Black Snow made its Stan debut. After airing on the BBC and AMC+ later, it garnered widespread acclaim. Set within South Sea Islander communities in Queensland, this unique show by Lucas Taylor stands out for its rare combination of cold-case investigations, historical grief, geographical distinctiveness, and cultural specificity.
Travis Fimmel (Vikings) plays Detective James Cormack, and as per the main plot, is one of the main characters in the series. Cormack is a cold-case investigator who travels to emotionally charged communities to reopen cases that have remained unsolved for decades. He looked into the 1994 murder of teenage Isabel Baker in Season 1 and the 2003 disappearance of Zoe Jacobs in Season 2.
All About Black Snow Season 1 recap
Black Snow Season 1 made its premiere on January 1, 2023. The show, set in Queensland, uniquely blends drama, mystery, and crime as it revolves around Detective James Cormack, a seasoned investigator.
He is entrusted with cracking crimes that have gone unresolved for decades and is portrayed by Travis Fimmel (Vikings). The show is notable for its atmospheric tension, slow-burning narrative, and unapologetic examination of the effects of previous crimes on the present.
Season 1 consists of eight emotionally difficult and dramatic episodes and it majorly highlights Isabel's backstory as revealed to Cormack. As per the episodes, he finds disturbing information that casts doubt on the investigation's neutrality.
This forces him to confront his own repressed history. The episode's central theme then becomes clear: the lasting effects of unresolved trauma. As per the main storyline, a shocking development that connects Isabel's murder to a larger criminal organization is revealed by Cormack in the last episode.
Isabel's killer is revealed towards the end of the season. The ending, however, is bittersweet. When the lawsuit is over, Cormack, in particular, is left to deal with his personal consequences.
Additionally, the season sets the stage for further questions. This introduces the plot of Cormack's incomplete inquiry into the disappearance of his own younger brother, which will be picked up in Season 2. The second season will include this as a central subject.
More about Black Snow Season 2
With its compelling plot and violent crime drama, Black Snow Season 2 has captivated viewers since its April 24, 2025, BBC iPlayer premiere. The mystery behind Detective James Cormack's 1994 inquiry into his brother's disappearance is where this season begins. Cormack tackles a new cold case, the 2003 disappearance of Zoe Jacobs, while he attempts to learn the truth about his sibling's fate. He does this by crafting a convoluted story with many turns and nuanced emotions.
The main cast, which includes Travis Fimmel as Cormack, is back, while Megan Smart, Jana McKinnon, and Jemmason Power also play important parts. The evocative setting of Queensland's South Sea Islander and its population continues to have a significant influence on the show's tone. This adds more cultural depth and realism to the mystery.
Season 2 features a total of six episodes and the slow-burning plot, which has received praise from critics and fans alike.