Fans of the landmark 90's sitcom, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, are certainly celebrating that the series got a reboot by peacock entitled Bel-Air.
The new version, however, even being inspired by the original, gains a much more serious tone and heavier criticism.
Check out everything you need to know about Bel-Air:
Bel Air Synopsis
Set in modern America, Bel-Air is a one-hour serialized dramatic analogue of the 1990s sitcom, Fresh prince of Bel Air, which leans towards the original premise: Will's complicated journey from the streets of West Philadelphia to the gated mansions of Bel-Air. With a vision reimagined, Bel-Air will delve deeper into the conflicts, emotions and inherent biases that were impossible to fully explore in a 30-minute comedy format, while still delivering the swagger and nods to the original show.
The inspiration for Bel Air
The creation of Bel-Air started with a video of Morgan Cooper that went viral on YouTube and caught the attention of Will Smith, star of the original series. The actor supported the young filmmaker and now Cooper is serving as director, executive producer and co-writer on the series.
The New Bel Air
The classic theme song for The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air pretty much sums up its plot. The show starred Smith as a teenager who went from growing up on the rough, rough streets of Philadelphia to living in his aunt and uncle's Bel-Air mansion. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air was a half-hour comedy that tapped into Smith's great personality, and while it featured several episodes dealing with issues such as gun violence, discrimination, and absentee parents, it was first and foremost a comedy.
that's where Bel-Air differs in that it is distinctly a drama. The hour-long production retains the basic premise of the original show, but transports it to modern-day America and delves deeper into the real conflicts that would come from a boy from West Philadelphia uprooting his life and moving in with his upper-class relatives. in California. The initial idea turns a simple fight, as the song mentions, into a death sentence for Will for defying the neighborhood hardcore, features the former butler with a bodyguard, and deals with drug addiction and heavier matters.
Bel-Air roster
Leading the new cast is Jabari Banks. By your side they act Adrian Holmes like Phillip Banks, Cassandra Freeman like Vivian Banks, Olly Sholotan like Carlton Banks, Coco Jones like Hilary Banks, Akira Akbar like Ashley Banks, Jimmy Akingbola like Geoffrey, Jordan L.Jones like jazz and Simone Joy Jones like Lisa.
Bel-Air Production Team
Will Smith, Quincy Jones and Benny Medina take on executive producer roles in this new version alongside other big names. Writers TJ Brady and Rasheed Newson are the showrunners on the series, as well as co-writing the script alongside Morgan Cooper, who is also one of the show's co-executive producers, as well as directing a few episodes.
Where was Bel-Air recorded?
All Philly scenes were filmed in Kansas City with local actors, while the Bel-Air scenes were filmed in Burbank, California. The interior of the Bel-Air mansion is filmed in a house that is not actually located there in real life; instead, it's on the east side of Los Angeles, in the neighborhood of Bradbury Estates.
Bel-Air release date
In the US, through Peacock, the series premiered on February 13, 2022. In Brazil, the series premiered on May 18, 2022.
Where to watch Bel Air
In Brazil, Bel-Air is broadcast by the streaming service Star +.