Nearly 30 years after '90s sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel Air aired its final episode, fans will tune in to see a dramatic—and modern—reimagining of Bel Air as it opens its fourth and final season. The series returns to Peacock November 24, wrapping up Jabari Banks' role as Will Smith in this dramatic retelling of a young West Philadelphia boy who comes to live with his family in the affluent Bel Air neighborhood of Los Angeles. Who knew that a gritty fan trailer would spawn four seasons?
It's the end of the road, though it's paved with good music, deep family dynamics, social commentary, and a coming-of-age story beyond the main character. Speaking to 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), Jimmy Akingbola (Geoffrey), Akira Akbar (Ashley Banks) and Jordan L. Jones (Jazz), they talked about season four, whether they've learned from their characters and what it was like reading the script for the series finale. (sorry, no spoilers).
“I think the writers did an amazing job, so kudos to Carla. [Banks Waddles] – in such a beautiful ending to this story, – said Banks. “They really appreciated the show and Will's story.”
The actor discussed one important takeaway from his breakout role as the unofficial “Fresh Prince” of the 21st century. What is it?
“Will’s confidence. To be confident even if you don't know what to do next—to move with intention and then move through life without taking no for an answer,” Banks said. He added that Will develops throughout the series until the very end, and it was surprising to see how his character ends, even defying expectations along the way. The only thing that gets stronger is Will's brotherly bond with Carlton.
The Banks family enjoys each other's company in Bel Air.
According to Sholotan, who played the role of Will's once-hostile cousin and classmate, Carlton's finest hour came in the fourth season. The first three seasons saw him fight with Will, hide his addiction from his family, and rub shoulders with the wrong (and sometimes racist) crowd before eventually taking responsibility. He even starts a business with Will: Blackcess.
“The defining moment for Carlton in my opinion is when he tests Connor,” Sholotan said, referencing the confrontation in the first episode of season four. He reflected on how much his character has grown since the first season, where “he really doesn't understand what's wrong” with the racial slurs so casually used by his so-called friends. Sholotan added that he felt like a proud big brother to Carlton at that moment, and noted that this was really important to him given Carlton's history.
Everyone in the Banks family—and within their circle—has some kind of drama going on.
Akira Akbar as Ashley Banks' younger sister and Coco Jones as Hilary Banks.
Coco Jones' Hilary Banks may share her keen fashion sense with the '90s version of the OG, but she's facing real challenges that are all her own. However, Jones gained valuable insight from playing the eldest child in the family.
“Maybe what I'm reminded of when I portray Hilary is that you can have everything 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, 'Damn, I know her life is bad, or, wow, I know it's really great out there.' But you never know what’s going on outside of that zip code, outside of that state, outside of the perception that they create online,” 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 have agency in her life, a theme that fans will see as the show progresses. Freeman shared a similar view that Aunt Viv's story was the opposite of “traditional life”.
“I feel like they really did Aunt Viv justice in this series. I'm just surprised overall that they would allow a woman that age to have such a full story and not just sit in the kitchen,” Freeman said. “They didn’t lead a trading life here—they lived a full life.”
Geoffrey (Jimmy Akingbola) sits down with Phil (Adrian Holmes) Banks for a serious conversation.
According to Akingbola, seasons three and four are “the yang to Jeffrey's yin.” His mysterious ways begin to unravel, and the stakes become so high that “You don’t know. Will Uncle Phil and Jeffrey be okay? You don't know.”
While the first three episodes of Bel Air debuted on Monday, there are still five more to go, with the series finale airing on December 8th.
Summing up the general emotions that gathered in the room as the actors read the script for the finale, Sholotan said that production was stopped for more than an hour. “After we read the chart, I couldn't stop crying,” he said. “Reading This Is the End of Bel-Air was such a tender experience and we all love each other so deeply. I will miss them most of all. 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 airing on December 1st and the final three episodes airing on December 8th.
