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[08/31/21 - 10:31 AM]
Peacock's Highly Anticipated Drama Series "Bel-Air" Introduces Newcomer and West Philly Local Jabari Banks in Iconic Role Originated by Will Smith
"Bel-Air" is a contemporary reimagining of the beloved and culture defining 90s sitcom "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air."

[via press release from Peacock]

Now this is a story all about how, My life got flipped-turned upside down, And I'd like to take a minute, just sit right there, I'll tell you how I became the prince of a town called Bel-Air...

PEACOCK'S HIGHLY ANTICIPATED DRAMA SERIES "BEL-AIR" INTRODUCES NEWCOMER AND WEST PHILLY LOCAL JABARI BANKS IN ICONIC ROLE ORIGINATED BY WILL SMITH

The Reimagined Series, Based on Morgan Cooper's Viral Fan Film Bel-Air, Comes from Universal Television and Westbrook Studios, and was Previously Picked Up for Two Seasons

See Will Smith Surprise Jabari with the Life-Changing News HERE

See Will Smith's Social Post HERE

Peacock's highly anticipated drama series Bel-Air, a contemporary reimagining of the beloved and culture defining 90s sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, has cast newcomer and West Philadelphia local Jabari Banks in the iconic role of "Will" originated by Will Smith.

The news was announced today via Will Smith directly as he surprised Jabari with this life-changing news.

Peacock previously ordered two seasons of the series adaptation of Morgan Cooper's viral fan film Bel-Air. See Will Smith's original announcement HERE.

Cooper wrote and directed the four-minute spec trailer, debuting the video on social media in March 2019. The trailer, which currently has nearly 7 million views on YouTube, caught the attention of Smith, and in a reaction video Smith called the film and idea brilliant.  Link to the original trailer HERE.

ABOUT THE SERIES:

Co-Showrunners / Executive Producers: T.J. Brady and Rasheed Newson

​Director / Co-Writer / Executive Producer: Morgan Cooper

Executive Producers: Will Smith, Terence Carter, James Lassiter, Miguel Melendez, Malcolm Spellman, Quincy Jones, Benny Medina, and Andy & Susan Borowitz

​Produced By: Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group, and Westbrook Studios, a division of Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith's media company Westbrook Inc.

Format: Drama series

​Filming Location: Los Angeles, CA and Philadelphia, PA

SERIES DESCRIPTION:

Set in modern-day America, Bel-Air is a serialized one-hour dramatic analogue of the 90's 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. 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.

ABOUT JABARI BANKS:

Jabari Banks lives in West Philly. He graduated from University of the Arts in Philly in 2020. In addition to acting, Jabari is an accomplished songwriter, singer, rapper, and basketball player.





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· BEL-AIR (PEACOCK)





[07/16/25 - 04:01 PM]
ESPN Airs Another of Its Most-Watched WNBA Games Ever: Indiana Fever vs Connecticut Sun Averaged 1.7 Million Viewers, Up 48% from Last Year's ESPN Average
Said telecast peaked with 2 million viewers.

[07/16/25 - 12:23 PM]
FOX's Biblical Event Series "The Faithful" Casts Minnie Driver, Jeffrey Donovan and Natacha Karam
Plus: Danny Cannon has been tapped to direct and executive produce the premiere.

[07/16/25 - 12:01 PM]
Emmy and BAFTA Award Nominee Jack Lowden Will Star in "Berlin Noir," Apple's Upcoming Adaptation of Philip Kerr's Bestselling Crime Novels
Germany, 1928. A newly-promoted detective. A string of gruesome murders. Welcome to Berlin Noir.

[07/16/25 - 12:00 PM]
Video: "Murder 360" - Official Trailer - Paramount+
Stream the new original docuseries premiering August 5, exclusively on Paramount+.

[07/16/25 - 11:00 AM]
"The Walking Dead: Dead City" to Return for Third Season, with "Walking Dead" Veteran Seth Hoffman Joining as Showrunner
Hoffman marks?his return to the Walking Dead Universe having spent three years as co-executive producer and writer on "The Walking Dead."

[07/16/25 - 09:35 AM]
Video: FX's "Necaxa" - Official Trailer & Key Art Available Now
Eva Longoria teams up with Rob Mac and Ryan Reynolds for FX's newest football docuseries following one of Mexico's oldest and most storied clubs, Club Necaxa.

[07/16/25 - 09:07 AM]
The CW Network Picks Up Hit Drama Series "Sullivan's Crossing" for Season 4
The announcement follows the previously confirmed Season 4 renewal by Bell Media's CTV and Crave, and Fremantle.

[07/16/25 - 09:01 AM]
"Geek Girl" Season 2 Start of Production Announcement
Joining the cast is Layton Williams, who will play the role of Onassis.

[07/16/25 - 07:25 AM]
AXS TV Salutes the Female Trailblazers of Rock, Pop, Motown & More with the "Women in Music" Marathon, Airing August 2 & 3 Starting at 11A ET
From soulful songstresses and enduring pop queens, to the rock trailblazers who turned the boys' club upside down, AXS TV celebrates some of the most legendary female artists of all time.

[07/16/25 - 07:06 AM]
The Nader Sisters Trade the Louisiana Bayou for New York City in New Reality Series "Love Thy Nader," Premiering on Hulu and Freeform
The bold coming-of-age reality series follows the unapologetic and determined Nader sisters - Brooks, Sarah Jane, Grace Ann and Mary Holland - who left their humble beginnings in the Louisiana bayou for the glamour and grind of New York City.

[07/16/25 - 07:01 AM]
Video: "Stranger Things 5" - Official Teaser - Netflix
Every battle has led to this.

[07/16/25 - 05:31 AM]
"Turn of the Tide" Is Back: The Second Season Arrives on Netflix October 17
In this new season, Eduardo (José Condessa), three months after his departure, returns to find a completely different reality in Rabo de Peixe.

[07/16/25 - 02:01 AM]
Video: "Memento Mori" - Season 3 - Official Trailer - Prime Video
The final season arrives August 1 on Prime Video.

[07/16/25 - 01:01 AM]
Video: "Love Is Blind: UK" Season 2 - Official Teaser - Netflix
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[07/15/25 - 02:46 PM]
Apple Lands Record-Breaking 81 Emmy Award Nominations with "Severance" Leading As This Year's Most-Nominated Series and "The Studio" Becoming the Most-Nominated Freshman Comedy in History
Additionally, with top program nominations for drama "Slow Horses" and comedy "Shrinking," Apple TV+ becomes the only network to have multiple titles nominated in the Outstanding Comedy and Drama series categories.