Peacock’s dramatic reimagining of The Fresh Prince, Bel-Air, is heading into its final season. Is this a surprise? Not really. While the series generated buzz, translating a sitcom into a gritty drama always felt like a high-wire act. Four seasons is a decent run for a show trying to forge its own path while shouldering the legacy of a beloved classic.
Season three saw Will finding his footing (somewhat) in the rarified air of Bel-Air, forging an uneasy alliance with Carlton, and, as always, dealing with complicated family relationships. The final season will undoubtedly continue to track the fluctuating Will-Carlton relationship, the shifting sands of Viv and Phil’s marriage, Hilary’s romantic entanglements with LaMarcus, Ashley’s journey of self-discovery, and the ever-present specter of Geoffrey’s mysterious past.
Let’s not forget the parade of original Fresh Prince cast members who’ve popped up throughout the series like nostalgic Easter eggs – Tatyana Ali, Joseph Marcell, Vernee Watson-Johnson, and Daphne Maxwell Reid. Their presence underscores the tightrope walk Bel-Air has attempted, simultaneously embracing and distancing itself from its predecessor.
It all started with Morgan Cooper’s 2019 viral trailer, a slickly produced “what if” that reimagined the sitcom as a drama. Racking up millions of views, the trailer tapped into a desire for something new yet familiar. Whether Bel-Air fully delivered on that initial promise is debatable, but it certainly found an audience willing to explore this alternative universe.
Bel-Air airs on Peacock.
