The Basics
Where To Watch: Peacock ($4.99 per month)
Starring: Jabari Banks, Olly Sholotan, Coco Jones, Adrian Holmes
Description: Set in modern-day America, Peacock’s new one-hour drama series Bel-Air reimagines the beloved sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air through 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 (Jabari Banks) 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.
Trailer
Critics’ Chatter
“Nobody asked for a dark, dramatic reimagining of “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” which makes the new series fitting that description, Bel-Air, better than it has any right to be. Premiering Super Bowl Sunday on NBC’s streaming service Peacock, the opening episodes establish a catchy beat, with the main question being how long they can sustain it.”
-Brian Lowry, CNN | Read The Full Review Here
“[Jabari] Banks has the unenviable task of filling Smith’s shoes, and although he’s capable of carrying the series, neither he nor anyone else in the cast — including Akira Akbar as Ashley and Jimmy Akingbola as ‘house manager’ Geoffrey — gets much of a chance to shine in the first six episodes. At least there’s no false advertising here; they removed the word ‘fresh’ from the title.”
-Inkoo Kang, The Washington Post | Read The Full Review Here
“If the writing can lean into the characters and let them breathe, Bel-Air will work. After all, that’s what people liked about Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. It wasn’t the plotlines; it was the people. And if the creators here can pull back on the over-written messaging and nostalgia, audiences might want to look at this kingdom from their own TV-watching thrones.”
-Brian Tallerico, Roger Ebert | Read The Full Review Here
Timeline Talk
Just watched Bel-Air at a screening.
It is good. Very good.
This ain’t the Fresh Prince we know.
— Kevín (@KevOnStage) February 11, 2022
Bel-Air might be one of my favorite new shows so far this year. With just three episodes, I absolutely loved how they've turned the sitcom into a drama series. It puts a perfect twist on the beloved series, while also being just a really well-crafted TV show #BelAir pic.twitter.com/7GVOWDVrPC
— Nora Dominick (@noradominick) February 9, 2022
