Episodes 1-3 of “Bel-Air” are now available on Peacock.
For the past three years, Jabari Banks has played Will in Peacock’s reboot of the beloved '90s sitcom, “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” a legendary role originated by Will Smith.
“He’s been a guide and a light throughout this whole experience,” Banks says of working with Smith. “We rarely talked about the character, but we did talk about the industry and my career. That was the most impactful conversation I’ve had with him.”
Reflecting on his experience during his last day on set, Banks recalls, “There were a lot of tears and memories. It’s like graduating from high school. When it’s time to say goodbye, it’s awful.”
In an industry where nostalgia sells, reboots often fail to offer a fresh, modern take on the original story. In a landscape dominated by remakes, Peacock’s “Bel-Air” is one of the few series that got it right.
And it all started with a viral trailer from its creator, Morgan Cooper.
In 2019, Cooper created a nearly 4-minute trailer that reimagined "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" as a gritty drama, which garnered millions of views on YouTube. Less than 24 hours later, Cooper met with Smith and his production company, Westbrook, who were interested in turning Cooper's reimagining of the former sitcom into a more serious drama.
The series retains the humor and familial bonds between Will and the Banks family, but departs from the half-hour format of the original sitcom, presenting itself as an hour-long series that explores class inequality, sexuality, institutionalized racism, mental health, and identity with greater depth than the '90s comedy.
Now in its fourth and final season, premiering with its first three episodes on November 24, Will begins his senior year of high school trying to figure out his future, while Carlton (Olly Sholotan) grapples with the weight of difficult decisions that threaten his future.
Meanwhile, the brotherhood of Phil (Adrian Holmes) and Geoffrey (Jimmy Akingbola) fractures after an unexpected power shift tests their loyalties. Viv (Cassandra Freeman) struggles to reinvent herself as she welcomes a new son into the Banks family. Ashley (Akira Akbar) faces challenges in her freshman year of high school, while Hilary (Coco Jones) focuses on healing after the death of her husband.
The early episodes focus on the trauma that has affected Will's daily life since returning home from his kidnapping. Instead of seeking professional help to overcome his trauma, Will embarks on a mission to locate his kidnappers and Geoffrey, his family's butler, whose troubled past led to Will's abduction.
"Will is a very spontaneous and impulsive man, but also very protective of his family," says Banks. "Knowing that Geoffrey is gone doesn't sit well with him. He's not going to wait for anyone to help him in this situation."
His obsession with finding his kidnappers leads him to a location where he discovers the same car used in his abduction. With Carlton's help, Will fight back, using a baseball bat and attempting to irreparably damage the vehicle.
“Wrecking the car was a representation of his reclaiming power and a release of pent-up emotions,” says Banks. It seems no one cares that Geoffrey is gone. When he finds the car he was thrown into, it’s the perfect moment to unleash his anger.
While Will’s defiance isn’t surprising, Carlton’s help in vandalizing the car is a departure from his character, as he usually follows the rules. Carlton tends to cling to authority, a tendency that in previous seasons has clashed with his cousin’s rebellious nature. But expanding their relationship from “enemies to brothers” has been one of Banks’ favorite storylines to bring it to life with Sholotan.
“The biggest lesson from Will and Carlton is seeing each other’s perspectives and taking the time to get to know the person, even if you don’t agree with their point of view on certain things,” says Banks. “They’ve had time to discuss certain points and know that sometimes they just don’t understand. But they love her simply for being herself.”
Throughout its run, "Bel-Air" has featured celebrity cameos from all over Hollywood. For its final season, the show will introduce new characters played by "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" alum Janet Hubert, Tyra Banks, and Snoop Dogg. Banks, who is also a musician and recently released her debut EP "Ultra," was particularly excited to act alongside Snoop Dogg.
"He was super cool, chill, friendly, and nice," Banks says. "He had a two-page monologue and didn't skip a word. It was incredible to see his level of professionalism. It's the reason his career has been so long, and it was inspiring to watch. Whether it's music or acting, he's always ready."
“He was super cool, calm, friendly, and nice,” Banks says. “He had a two-page monologue and didn’t skip a single word. It was fantastic to see his level of professionalism. It’s the reason his career has been so long, and it was inspiring to watch. Whether it’s music or acting, he’s always ready to perform.”
Another inspiration the actor has had the opportunity to work with is Marlon Wayans, who first appeared in the season one finale as Lou, Will’s long-lost father. In the series, Banks and Wayans have portrayed the complexities of reconnecting with a father.
Through its ups and downs, season four becomes a turning point in their relationship after Will calls Lou “Dad” for the first time.
“He [Will] never had the chance to say that word,” Banks says. “As he and Lou grow closer, it fades away.” It signifies the comfort and openness Will is beginning to have with his father, which is a beautiful thing.
Despite playing his character's father on screen, Banks describes Wayans more as an "older brother" who has given him direction and guidance off-camera. "He plays my dad, but he definitely feels like an older brother. Whether we're talking about the show or life, he's taken me under his wing."
Giving his final speech as Will, Banks states that the most rewarding part of revitalizing the beloved sitcom has been connecting with fans, both old and new.
Comments
Post a Comment