Peacock on Tuesday unveiled the full cast for Bel-Air, the highly anticipated, dramatic reboot of the beloved ’90s sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. The ensemble includes Adrian Holmes (Arrow, 19-2) as Phillip Banks, Cassandra Freeman (The Enemy Within) as Vivian Banks, Olly Sholotan as Carlton Banks, Coco Jones (Good Luck Charlie) as Hilary Banks and Akira Akbar (Captain Marvel) as Ashley Banks.
Additionally, Jimmy Akingbola (Holby City) will assume the role of Geoffrey, while Jordan L. Jones (Rel) will play Will’s frequently tossed BFF Jazz.
While there’s no Little Nicky in sight, the reboot has gone ahead and cast Simone Joy Jones (The Chair) as Lisa — who, in the original series, was introduced in Season 5 as Will’s girlfriend and eventual bride (though they eventually called off the wedding).
“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,” reads the show’s official logline. “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.”
The series, which has already received a two-season order, is inspired by writer-director Morgan Cooper’s 2019 spec trailer, which went viral enough to catch Will Smith’s attention. T.J. Brady and Rasheed Newson will serve as co-showrunners, executive-producing alongside Smith, Terence Carter, James Lassiter, Miguel Melendez, Malcolm Spellman, Quincy Jones, Benny Medina, Andy and Susan Borowitz, and director/co-writer Cooper.
Scroll down to see the new cast alongside their sitcom counterparts, then hit the comments with your reactions to the ensemble.
WILL SMITH
Actor Jabari Banks — yes, his last name really is Banks and he’s from West Philadelphia — will lead Bel-Air. His casting was confirmed on Aug. 31, when Smith surprised the newcomer with the big news (watch here).
PHILLIP BANKS (AKA UNCLE PHIL)
Adrian Holmes (Arrow, 19-2) has big shoes to fill, succeeding the late James Avery as family patriarch Phillip Banks.
VIVIAN BANKS (AKA AUNT VIV)
Cassandra Freeman (The Enemy Within) is the third actress to assume the part of Aunt Viv, following Janet Hubert and Daphne Maxwell Reid’s distinctive turns in the original NBC comedy.
CARLTON BANKS
We hope relative newcomer Olly Sholotan likes Tom Jones. He’ll be succeeding Alfonso Ribeiro as Will’s dorky cousin Carlton.
HILARY BANKS
Coco Jones (Good Luck Charlie) will embody Will’s oldest (and most self-absorbed) cousin Hilary, taking over for Karyn Parsons.
ASHLEY BANKS
Hey there, Lord, her name is Ashley Banks! Akira Akbar (best known as Captain Marvel‘s Young Monica Rambeau) is set to play the part of Will’s youngest/most impressionable cousin, who was originally portrayed by Tatyana Ali.
GEOFFREY
Jimmy Akingbola (Holby City) will be cleaning up after the Banks, succeeding Joseph Marcell as the family’s delightfully sarcastic butler.
JAZZ
Jordan L. Jones (Rel) will see what it’s like to be thrown out of the Banks’ home. He succeeds DJ Jazzy Jeff as Hilary’s not-so-secret admirer.
