Peacock’s “Bel-Air” will mark a reunion between “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” alums Daphne Maxwell Reid (“Frank’s Place,” “Snoops”) and Vernee Watson-Johnson (“General Hospital,” “Bob Hearts Abishola”) who played Aunt Viv and Viola “Vy” Smith, respectively, in the original 90’s sitcom. In the new series, the two will play Helen and Janice, members of the Art Council Board, in the show’s ninth episode releasing Thursday, March 24 on the streaming service.
Set in modern-day America, the hour-long drama re-imagines the beloved sitcom with a new, dramatic take on Will’s complicated journey from the streets of West Philadelphia to the gated mansions of Bel-Air. As these two worlds collide, Will reckons with the power of second chances while navigating the conflicts, emotions, and biases of a world far different from the only one he’s ever known.
The season finale releases Thursday, March 31 on Peacock.
Inspired by Morgan Cooper’s viral trailer that reimagined the iconic, culture-defining ‘90s sitcom, Bel-Air takes a fresh and raw approach to this world of swagger, style, and aspiration, while exploring Will’s complex journey through a current lens. The new series features an ensemble cast that introduces Jabari Banks as Will and a creative team that includes Cooper, who serves as director, co-writer, and executive producer, and co-showrunners and executive producers T.J. Brady and Rasheed Newson. Will Smith also serves as an executive producer.
Hailing from Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group, and Westbrook Studios, a division of Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith’s media company Westbrook Inc., the series cast also includes 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.
Check out some first look photos below.
Courtesy of Peacock
Courtesy of Peacock