On Tuesday, Sept. 14, Peacock announced that the full cast of the dramatic reboot of the beloved ’90s sitcom has officially been set. “Bel-Air” will feature Jabari Banks as Will Smith; Adrian Holmes as Phillip Banks; Cassandra Freeman as Vivian Banks; Olly Sholotan as Carlton Banks; Coco Jones as Hilary Banks; Akira Akbar as Ashley Banks; Jimmy Akingbola as Geoffrey; Jordan L. Jones as Jazz; and Simone Joy Jones as Lisa.
The series was inspired by a 2019 fan film by writer-director Morgan Cooper that reimagined the sitcom as a drama series. Set in modern-day America, “Bel-Air” is described as a serialized one-hour dramatic analog of the ’90s sitcom “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” that leans into the original premise: Will’s complicated journey from the streets of West Philadelphia to the gated mansions of Bel-Air.
The hourlong series will explore the inherent conflicts, emotions and biases that couldn’t possibly be highlighted in a 30-minute sitcom format.
There is no air date for the series just yet, but viewers can expect to get two seasons of the show as Peacock has already signed off on a two-season-order. This is a pretty huge deal as the show hasn’t even premiered yet, and the decision was made solely off the strength of the pitch for the series.
“We have just officially closed the deal with Peacock with an unprecedented two-season order from a pitch,” Will Smith said this month in a YouTube video as he broke the news to director Morgan Cooper. “I’ve been in this business for 30 years and that does not happen. They ordered two full seasons of ‘Bel-Air’ based on the quality of the pitch and the work that you guys have done. So I want to say congratulations. I am hyped.”
Will you be tuning in to watch the series?
