Everything To Know About The Fresh Prince Reboot, Bel-Air

From Sex and the City to Saved by the Bell, the era of reboots and revivals is strong as ever — and the latest show to benefit from the boost of nostalgia is a beloved ’90s sitcom. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air reboot, simply titled Bel-Air, will revisit the familiar story all about how a West Philadelphia teen moves in with his wealthy relatives on the West Coast. And, yes, Will Smith is involved.

Set to premiere on Peacock this February, Bel-Air will differ from its source material in a few key ways. For starters, it’s a drama. As director, co-writer, and executive producer Morgan Cooper said in a statement on Nov. 23, this allows the new show “to really peel back the layers of these characters and themes in a way that you simply couldn't do 30 years ago in the half-hour sitcom format.” The reboot is actually based on a viral concept trailer Cooper released two years ago.

“We’re able to go have tough conversations that challenge perspectives,” Cooper continued. “At its core, Bel-Air is a celebration of the black experience through the perspective of a family.”

Here is everything we know about Bel-Air, the Fresh Prince reboot, so far.

Bel-Air Cast

Jabari Banks will lead Bel-Air as Will, and the newcomer has plenty in common with his predecessor. Banks is from West Philadelphia himself and, per Peacock, is a singer, songwriter, rapper, and basketball player.

Joining Banks are Adrian Holmes (Phillip), Cassandra Freeman (Vivian), Olly Sholotan (Carlton), Coco Jones (Hilary), Akira Akbar (Ashley), Jimmy Akingbola (Geoffrey), Jordan L. Jones (Jazz), and Simone Joy Jones (Lisa). Behind the scenes, Smith is among the show’s executive producers — as are The Falcon and the Winter Soldier creator Malcolm Spellman, Quincy Jones, and creators of the original series, Susan and Andy Borowitz.

Bel-Air Plot

According to Peacock’s announcement, Bel-Air will approach Will’s story “with a reimagined vision ... [diving] 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.”

Bel-Air Trailer

A teaser trailer for Bel-Air sets the dramatic tone for the reboot, complete with a reading of the original show’s theme song by Smith himself — spoken as the new Will falls into a pool, mirroring the way he’s plunging into his new life. There are plenty of Fresh Prince Easter eggs to look out for, including dice floating around Will (like the ones hanging from the mirror in the Bel-Air-bound cab), in addition to a trophy, basketballs, and ATVs from his life in Philly. Banks is also sporting a pair of Jordans like the earlier Will.

On Jan. 10, Peacock released the reboot’s official trailer, which shows more of Will’s journey from the streets of West Philly to the mansions of Bel-Air. The three-minute preview includes a basketball court squabble, gunfire, and scenes from the inside of a jail cell. Much like the sitcom, Will’s uncle Phil and Aunt Viv offer him a second chance to turn his life around. Suddenly, he finds himself attending private school by day and hitting up swanky house parties by night. But if the trailer makes one thing clear, it’s that Will’s rags-to-riches story isn’t without its challenges.

On Feb. 9, Peacock dropped one more surprise: a Super Bowl commercial in which Smith joins a host of fans from around the world putting their own unique spin on the original, iconic theme song.

Bel-Air Release Date

Bel-Air will start streaming Feb. 13 on Peacock. You’ll be able to watch the first three episodes, then can tune in week by week for the rest of the season. Also, good news: Bel-Air was picked up for two seasons. So once viewers finally meet the Banks, the family will be sticking around for a while.

This post will be updated with additional details as more information on Bel-Air becomes available.