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Nearly 30 years after the 1990s sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air aired its final episode, fans will tune in to watch the dramatic — and modern — reimagining of the series, Bel-Air, as it begins its fourth and final season. The series returns to peacock On November 24, he wrapped Jabari Banks’ role as Will Smith in this dramatic novel that follows a young West Philly boy who goes to live with his family in the upscale neighborhood of Bel Air in Los Angeles. Who knew that the brave, fan-made trailer would spawn four seasons?
It’s the end of the road, though, filled 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 Ollie Sholotan (who plays Carlton Banks), Coco Jones (Hilary Banks on the show), Cassandra Freeman (“Aunt Viv” Banks), Simone Joy Jones (Lisa), Jimmie Akinbola (Jeffrey), Akira Akbar (Ashley Banks), and Jordan L. Jones (Jazz), Season 4, spoke about whether they learned from their characters and what it was like reading the series’ final script. (Sorry, no spoilers).
“I think the writers did an amazing job — so hats off to Carla (Banks Waddles) — in wrapping up this story in such a beautiful way,” Banks said. “They put a great bow on this show and on Will’s story.”
The actor discussed one of the big takeaways from what became his breakout role as the 21st century’s unofficial “Fresh Prince.” What exactly is this?
“Will’s confidence. Being confident even if you don’t know your next step — moving with intention and then moving forward in life without taking no for an answer,” Banks said. He added that Will develops throughout the show until the end, and it was amazing to see where his character ends up, even defying expectations along the way. One thing that’s getting stronger is the brotherly bond between Will and 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 played Will’s aggressive cousin and high school classmate. The first three seasons saw him allying himself with Will, hiding his addiction from his family and running with the wrong (and sometimes racist) crowd before finally owning up to his ways. He even started a business with Will: Blackcess.
“In my opinion, the defining moment for Carlton is when he checks on Connor,” Scholotan said, referring to a confrontation in the first episode of Season 4. He reflected on how much his character has grown since the first season, where he “doesn’t really understand what’s wrong” with the casual use of racial slurs by his so-called friends. Scholotan added that he felt like a proud big brother towards Carlton in that moment and noted that it was really important to him, given Carlton’s history.
Everyone in the Banks family – and in their orbit – has some kind of drama going on.
Akira Akbar as younger sister Ashley Banks with Coco Jones as Hilary Banks.
Hilary Banks, who plays Coco Jones, may share her keen fashion sense with the OG version of the ’90s, but she faces real challenges of her own. However, Jones gleaned an insightful reminder from playing the eldest child in the family.
“Maybe the thing I remember when I photograph Hillary is that you can have all the things that people think will make your life perfect, and yet no one is exempt from life being life,” she said. “Sometimes, I find myself thinking, ‘Dang, I know her life is all about eating,’ or, ‘Wow, I know it’s really cool out there.’” “But you never know what’s going on outside of that zip code, outside of that net worth — outside of that perception that they put out on the Internet,” Jones said.
Simone Joy Jones can relate to her character, Lisa, as a young woman growing up in Los Angeles who learns to push boundaries and take control of her life, a theme fans will see as the show progresses. Freeman shared similar sentiments about how Aunt Viv’s story was the opposite of “Commercial Life.”
“I feel like they really did justice to Aunt Viv on this show. I’m generally amazed that they let a woman of that age have such a full story and not just in the kitchen,” Freeman said. “They didn’t live a commercial life here, they lived a full life.”
Jeffrey (Jimi Akinbola) sits down with Phil (Adrian Holmes) Banks for a serious conversation.
According to Akingbola, seasons three and four “are Jeffrey’s yang.” His mysterious ways begin to unravel, and the stakes are raised enough to where, “You don’t know. Are Uncle Phil and Jeffrey going to be okay? You don’t know.”
Although the first three episodes of Bel-Air debuted Monday, there are five more episodes to come, with the series finale airing on December 8.
Summarizing the feelings shared in the room as the cast read the script for the finale, Sholotan said production was halted for more than an hour. “After we finished reading the table, I couldn’t stop crying,” he said. “It was so nice to read That’s a Wrap on Bel-Air, and we all have a deep love for each other. The thing I’ll miss the most is these people. These people are like family to me now.”
The final season of Bel-Air will air on Peacock every Monday, with the next two episodes on December 1, and the final three episodes on December 8.