Peacock has dropped the first Bel-Air teaser for the upcoming modern reimagining of the hit ’90s sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, which will now be led by newcomer Jabari Banks. The reboot is expected to make its debut sometime in 2022.
The video, which you can check out below, provides us with our first look at Banks’ portrayal of Will. It also features a voice-over by original lead star Will Smith as he gives a dramatic reading of the iconic theme song.
“At its heart, Bel-Air is a coming-of-age story that celebrates the strength and love of the Black family,” showrunners T.J. Brady, and Rasheed Newson said in a statement. “We have stayed true to the original premise of the legacy series – Will’s life is turned upside down after he is forced to leave West Philly and lands in Bel-Air with its gated mansions and wealth, however, our new series brings Will and the Banks family into the world as we know it now. It’s been incredible to bring these iconic characters to life when you tap them into the cultural pulse of our time. The series was the fabric of so many of our upbringings, tied to memories and the joy of seeing ourselves represented on TV so it is important to us to pay respect to its legacy.”
RELATED: Peacock’s MacGruber Series: Premiere Date, Teaser & First-Look Photos
Inspired by Morgan Cooper’s viral video of the same name, Bel-Air reimagines the iconic sitcom as a modern-day drama. It will be co-written and directed by Cooper, who is also set as an executive producer.
“Set in modern-day America, the series is a serialized one-hour dramatic analogue 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,” reads the official synopsis. “With a reimagined vision, it will dive deeper into the inherent conflicts, emotions and biases that were impossible to fully explore in a 30-minute sitcom format, while still delivering swagger and nods to the original show.”
The reboot will star Jabari Banks in his acting debut, Adrian Holmes (V Wars) as Phillip Banks, Cassandra Freeman (Atlanta) as Vivian Banks, Olly Sholotan (Evolution of Nate Gibson) as Carlton Banks, Coco Jones (Vampires vs. The Bronx) as Hilary Banks, Akira Akbar (Captain Marvel) as Ashley Banks, Jimmy Akingbola (Most Dangerous Game) as Geoffrey, Jordan L. Jones (Snowfall) as Jazz, and Simone Joy Jones (The Chair, What If) as Lisa.
RELATED: Saved by the Bell Season 2 Trailer Revisits Valley High Rivalry
Bel-Air is executive produced by T.J. Brady and Rasheed Newson, who are serving as showrunners. It is a production by Universal Television and Westbrook Studios. Will Smith, Terence Carter, James Lassiter, Miguel Melendez, Malcolm Spellman, Quincy Jones, Benny Medina, and original creators Andy & Susan Borowitz are executive producing.
