Nearly 30 years after ’90s sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air aired its last episode, fans will tune in to watch the dramatic — and modern — reimagining of the show, Bel-Air, kick off its fourth and final season. The series returns to Peacock on Nov. 24, wrapping up Jabari Banks’ role as Will Smith in this dramatic retelling that follows the young kid from West Philly who goes to live with family in the affluent Bel-Air neighborhood of Los Angeles. Who knew a gritty fan-made trailer would spawn four seasons?
It’s the end of the road, though it’s one paved with good music, deep family dynamics, social commentary and a coming-of-age story for more than just the main character. When speaking with Banks and fellow cast members Olly Sholotan (who plays Carlton Banks), Coco Jones (Hilary Banks in the show), Cassandra Freeman (“Aunt Viv” Banks), Simone Joy Jones (Lisa), Jimmy Akingbola (Geoffrey), Akira Akbar (Ashley Banks) and Jordan L. Jones (Jazz), they dished on season 4, whether they learned from their characters and what it was like reading the series finale script (sorry, no spoilers).
“I think the writers did an amazing job — so shout out to Carla [Banks Waddles] — in wrapping this story up in such a beautiful way,” said Banks. “They put a great bow on this show and on Will’s story.”
The actor discussed one big takeaway from what’s become his breakout role as the unofficial 21st-century “Fresh Prince.” What is that, exactly?
“The confidence of Will. Being confident even if you don’t know your next move — moving with intention and then going through life without taking no for an answer,” said Banks. He added that Will evolves throughout the show to the very end, and it’s been amazing to see where his character ends up, even defying expectations along the way. One thing that gets stronger is Will’s brotherly bond with Carlton.
The Banks family is enjoying each other’s company in Bel-Air.
Carlton has a high point in season 4, according to Sholotan, who’s played the role of Will’s once-antagonistic cousin and high school classmate. The first three seasons saw him beef with Will, hide addiction from his family and run with the wrong (and sometimes racist) crowd before eventually owning his ways. He even starts a business with Will: Blackcess.
“In my opinion, Carlton’s defining moment is when he checks Connor,” said Sholotan, referencing a confrontation in the first episode of season 4. He reflected on how much his character’s grown since season 1, where “he doesn’t really understand what’s wrong” with racial slurs being used so casually by his so-called friends. Sholotan added that he felt like a proud big brother toward Carlton in that moment and noted that it was really important to him, given Carlton’s history.
Everyone in the Banks family — and within their orbit — has some sort of drama going on.
Akira Akbar as younger sister Ashley Banks with Coco Jones as Hilary Banks.
Coco Jones’ Hilary Banks may share her keen fashion sense with the ’90s OG version, but she experiences real challenges that are all her own. Still, Jones gleaned an insightful reminder from playing the eldest child in the family.
“Maybe something that I’m reminded of when I portray Hilary is that you can have all the things that people think are going to make your life perfect, and still no one is exempt from life being life,” she said. “Sometimes, I myself find myself thinking, ‘Dang, I know her life is eating, or, wow, I know it’s really great over there.’ But you never know what’s going on outside of that ZIP code, outside of that net worth — outside of that perception they put on the internet,” Jones said.
Simone Joy Jones could relate to her character, Lisa, as a young woman growing up in LA who’s learning to push boundaries and have agency over her life, a theme fans will see as the show progresses. Freeman shared a similar sentiment about how Aunt Viv’s story has been the opposite of the “trad life.”
“I feel like they really did justice to Aunt Viv in this show. I’m just surprised overall that they allowed a woman of this age to have such a full story and not just be in the kitchen,” said Freeman. “They didn’t do trad life over here — they did full life.”
Geoffrey (Jimmy Akingbola) sits with Phil (Adrian Holmes) Banks for a serious talk.
According to Akingbola, seasons 3 and 4 “are the yang to Geoffrey’s yin.” His mysterious ways begin to unravel, and the stakes get high enough to where “You don’t know. Will Uncle Phil and Geoffrey be OK? You don’t know.”
Though the first three episodes of Bel-Air debuted on Monday, there are five more to come, with the series finale airing on Dec. 8.
Summing up the shared emotion in the room as the cast read the script for the finale, Sholotan shared that production was halted for over an hour. “After we had done the table read, I couldn’t stop crying,” he said. “Reading ‘That is a wrap on Bel-Air’ was such a tender thing, and we all have such a deep love for each other. The thing I’ll miss the most is them. These people are like a family to me now.”
Bel-Air’s final season will stream on Peacock each Monday, with the next two episodes on Dec. 1, and the last three episodes on Dec. 8.
