Will Smith Announces ‘Fresh Prince’ Reboot At Peacock, Secured 2 Seasons

Will Smith Announces ‘Fresh Prince’ Reboot At Peacock, Secured 2 Seasons

Update #2 (Sept. 9th): Will Smith has announced that the “Fresh Prince” reboot is happening, and it’s already secured two seasons on Peacock!

He said on his YouTube channel during a conversation with writer/director Morgan Cooper Tuesday (Sept. 8th):

“We have just officially closed the deal with Peacock with an unprecedented two-season order from a pitch. I’ve been in this business for 30 years, and that does not happen.”

Will Smith, who will be the executive producer, also explained what viewers can expect and said,
“The Carlton character — a Black, young Republican, modern-day?” he said. “The heat that will be stirred up between these characters. It’s like, what’s the Hilary character in a world of Instagram and social media?”
A release from Peacock describes the show as:
“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.”

Original Story (Aug. 11th):

Good news for ‘Fresh Prince of Bel Air’ fans, a drama reboot of the popular six season series is on the way!

In March 2019, a professionally shot, 4-minute reimagined, trailer of the show hit social media and began circulating leaving fans wondering if this was indeed something that was in the works.  The same trailer caught the eye of the “Fresh Prince” himself, and star of the original 90’s show, Will Smith.

Film director Morgan Cooper created the trailer, Bel-Air, which is described as a dramatic take on the former NBC comedy that catapulted Smith to stardom after he spent six seasons starring as the street-smart kid who moved from Philly to the upper-class neighborhood.

According to reports the new Bel-Air has been in the works for over a year.  Morgan Cooper, a ‘Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’ super-fan created and directed the trailer and will co-write the script, direct and be credited as a co-EP.

The drama series is currently being shopped to streamers and is a co-production between Smith’s Westbrook Studios and original producers Universal TV.

Will Smith

The original ‘Fresh Prince of Bel-Air‘ was based on the life of Will Smith’s staged character, “Fresh Prince”, a colorful and cool-yet stubborn teenager from the harsh streets of Philadelphia who was sent to live with his uncle, aunt, and cousins in the suburbs of Los Angeles, California.

The show starred the late actor, James Avery, Alfonso Ribeiro, Tatyana Ali, Karyn Parsons, Joseph Marcell who played the family’s butler, and DJ Jazzy Jeff, Will Smith’s childhood best friend who transitioned nicely over to the show as Will’s television best friend.

The comedic series, shot in front of a live audience, was a staple for pop culture in the 90’s and its essence has inspired urban culture ever since. Watch the original trailer below.

Are you excited for the return of Bel-Air in a drama version?  Let us know your thoughts.

Authored by: Robin Ayers