Almost 30 years after ’90s sitcom The Contemporary Prince of Bel-Air aired its final episode, followers will tune in to look at the dramatic — and trendy — reimagining of the present, Bel-Air, kick off its fourth and closing season. The sequence returns to Peacock on Nov. 24, wrapping up Jabari Banks’ position as Will Smith on this dramatic retelling that follows the younger child from West Philly who goes to stay with household within the prosperous Bel-Air neighborhood of Los Angeles. Who knew a gritty fan-made trailer would spawn 4 seasons?
It is the top of the street, although it is one paved with good music, deep household dynamics, social commentary and a coming-of-age story for extra than simply the primary character. When talking with Banks and fellow forged members Olly Sholotan (who performs Carlton Banks), Coco Jones (Hilary Banks within the present), Cassandra Freeman (“Aunt Viv” Banks), Simone Pleasure Jones (Lisa), Jimmy Akingbola (Geoffrey), Akira Akbar (Ashley Banks) and Jordan L. Jones (Jazz), they dished on season 4, whether or not they discovered from their characters and what it was like studying the sequence finale script (sorry, no spoilers).
“I believe the writers did an incredible job — so shout out to Carla [Banks Waddles] — in wrapping this story up in such an exquisite method,” mentioned Banks. “They put an ideal bow on this present and on Will’s story.”
The actor mentioned one huge takeaway from what’s turn into his breakout position because the unofficial Twenty first-century “Contemporary Prince.” What’s that, precisely?
“The arrogance of Will. Being assured even when you do not know your subsequent transfer — shifting with intention after which going by means of life with out taking no for a solution,” mentioned Banks. He added that Will evolves all through the present to the very finish, and it has been superb to see the place his character finally ends up, even defying expectations alongside the way in which. One factor that will get stronger is Will’s brotherly bond with Carlton.
The Banks household is having fun with one another’s firm in Bel-Air.
Carlton has a excessive level in season 4, in keeping with Sholotan, who’s performed the position of Will’s once-antagonistic cousin and highschool classmate. The primary three seasons noticed him beef with Will, cover dependancy from his household and run with the mistaken (and generally racist) crowd earlier than ultimately proudly owning his methods. He even begins a enterprise with Will: Blackcess.
“For my part, Carlton’s defining second is when he checks Connor,” mentioned Sholotan, referencing a confrontation within the first episode of season 4. He mirrored on how a lot his character’s grown since season 1, the place “he would not actually perceive what’s mistaken” with racial slurs getting used so casually by his so-called associates. Sholotan added that he felt like a proud huge brother towards Carlton in that second and famous that it was actually necessary to him, given Carlton’s historical past.
Everybody within the Banks household — and inside their orbit — has some form of drama happening.
Akira Akbar as youthful sister Ashley Banks with Coco Jones as Hilary Banks.
Coco Jones’ Hilary Banks could share her eager trend sense with the ’90s OG model, however she experiences actual challenges which are all her personal. Nonetheless, Jones gleaned an insightful reminder from taking part in the eldest youngster within the household.
“Possibly one thing that I am reminded of once I painting Hilary is that you could have all of the issues that individuals assume are going to make your life excellent, and nonetheless nobody is exempt from life being life,” she mentioned. “Typically, I actually discover myself pondering, ‘Dang, I do know her life is consuming, or, wow, I do know it is actually nice over there.’ However you by no means know what is going on on outdoors of that ZIP code, outdoors of that web price — outdoors of that notion they put on the web,” Jones mentioned.
Simone Pleasure Jones might relate to her character, Lisa, as a younger lady rising up in LA who’s studying to push boundaries and have company over her life, a theme followers will see because the present progresses. Freeman shared the same sentiment about how Aunt Viv’s story has been the alternative of the “trad life.”
“I really feel like they actually did justice to Aunt Viv on this present. I am simply stunned total that they allowed a girl of this age to have such a full story and never simply be within the kitchen,” mentioned Freeman. “They did not do trad life over right here — they did full life.”
Geoffrey (Jimmy Akingbola) sits with Phil (Adrian Holmes) Banks for a critical discuss.
In keeping with Akingbola, seasons 3 and 4 “are the yang to Geoffrey’s yin.” His mysterious methods start to unravel, and the stakes get excessive sufficient to the place “You do not know. Will Uncle Phil and Geoffrey be OK? You do not know.”
Although the primary three episodes of Bel-Air debuted on Monday, there are 5 extra to come back, with the sequence finale airing on Dec. 8.
Summing up the shared emotion within the room because the forged learn the script for the finale, Sholotan shared that manufacturing was halted for over an hour. “After we had accomplished the desk learn, I could not cease crying,” he mentioned. “Studying ‘That could be a wrap on Bel-Air’ was such a young factor, and all of us have such a deep love for one another. The factor I will miss essentially the most is them. These persons are like a household to me now.”
Bel-Air’s closing season will stream on Peacock every Monday, with the subsequent two episodes on Dec. 1, and the final three episodes on Dec. 8.