Full Trailer for the Upcoming Series BEL-AIR, a Dramatic Take on THE FRESH PRINCE OF BEL-AIR
Peacock a full trailer for the Will Smith-produced Bel-Air, which is a dramatic reboot of the classic ‘90s series The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. I wasn’t really sure what to expect from this series, but it actually looks like a great show worth checking out! It looks like it’ll deliver a solid story.
Jabari Banks takes on the role of Will in the series, which follows him as his life as it was turned upside down and how he embraces the new world of ultra-rich people that he’s found himself in.
Set in modern-day America, “Bel-Air 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. With a reimagined vision, Bel-Air 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.”
T.J. Brady and Rasheed Newson, Executive Producers and Co-Showrunners, said in a statement, “At its heart, Bel-Air is a coming-of-age story that celebrates the strength and love of the Black family. 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.
“During the development of Bel-Air, the most daunting question was: Could we find a young actor who'd be able to step into the role of Will Smith? Well, did we ever find him. His name is Jabari Banks and he won our hearts in the same way he won this role. Our creative team, including Will Smith, recognized that Jabari embodied the talent, charisma, and sheer swagger necessary to make this iconic role his own."
Morgan Cooper, Director, Co-Writer, Executive Producer, “With this dramatic reimagining, we wanted to create a show that stands on its own while honoring the spirit and innovation of the original series. Because Bel-Air is a drama, we're able to really peel back the layers of these characters and themes in a way that you simply couldn't do 30 years ago in the half-hour sitcom format. We're able to go have tough conversations that challenge perspectives. At its core, Bel-Air is a celebration of the black experience through the perspective of a family.
“My approach to the series started with a deep focus on tone and really being intentional with my creative choices. I'm inspired by a lot of things as a director; it could be a random conversation, memories from my past, it could be art, music, fashion. Everything can be inspiration, and having a two-season order gives us the opportunity to go infinitely deeper narratively, visually, and aesthetically. I think that with Bel-Air we have created something unique and honest. “
Bel-Air is coming to Peacock on February 13th. Check out the trailer and tell us what you think!