Summary
Showrunner Carla Banks-Waddles teases the return of a keyFresh Prince of Bel-Airactor inBel-Airseason 3. A dramatic reimagining of the iconic 1990s sitcom,Bel-Airseason 3will see Jabari Banks return to the role of Will Smith. Consisting of ten episodes, the new installment shifts as Will and Carlton continue to work as a dynamic duo, though previous tensions remain. A recent trailer for the drama series also revealed that Joseph Marcell, who played Geoffrey Butler, will be appearing in the reimagined reboot for a pivotal role.
In an interview withTheWrap, Banks-Waddles talked about Marcell’s return inBel-Airseason 3, which premieres August 15 on Peacock. The showrunner and executive producer discussed bringing in actors from the originalBel-Airand admitted feeling reluctant to overdo it. Stilll, despite the logistical and scheduling difficulty of getting Marcell involved,the former Geoffery actor was at the top of the list, and he plays a key role.Read the full quote below:
We had a couple of ideas, but we weren’t sure on availability and storyline, and he’s the one that made sense. It was even tough for him because he doesn’t live here; he lives in London. He’s very much a working actor, does plays, was in the middle of a play, so just getting getting him here to L.A. for the availability was a feat. We weren’t even sure that was going to work out. So we had a couple of ideas for ways to get some O.G. cast in, and he was at the top of that list. We try not to overdo it, but get excited when it happens. So yeah, look for him this season. In a very key role, someone from the past of the Banks family. I’m just thankful and grateful that we had the support of the studio and the network to just get him here. It was exciting. Everybody on set [wanted] pictures, to meet him. He was just just a lovely man.
Bel-Air Has Brought In Actors From Fresh Prince Before
Joesph Marcell Won’t Be The First Familiar Face
Marcell’s appearance comes at the very end of theseason 3 trailer, with his character ominously observing that there will always be a price to pay. “That’s on you,” the character says. He’snot the firstFresh Princeactor to make it intoBel-Air’s new cast.That title goes to the likes of Daphne Maxwell Reid and Vernee Watson-Johnson, who played the second Aunt Viv and Viola Smith on the original show. They each play Art Council board members in the reboot. Tatyana Ali, meanwhile, had a prominent recurring role as Ashley’s teacher in season 2. Ali played the original Ashley on the 1990s sitcom.
What To Know About Bel-Air Season 3
It’ll Be A Busy Summer For The Banks Family
Bel-Airseason 3 unfolds over the summer break, with the synopsis teasing that Will finds a partner and an ally in Carlton (Olly Sholotan). The friendship proves fruitful for Carlton, who is trying to leave his addiction behind and rebuild his reputation. At the same time, it remains an open question as towhether the bond between Will and Carlton can survive. Also, they will not be the only ones who face a challenging summer.
Everything Bel-Air Changes About Carlton (& Why He’s Even More Hateable)
Carlton in Bel-Air is very different from and much more villainous than his counterpart in the hit ’90s sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
The marriage between Viv (Cassandra Freeman) and Phil (Adrian Holmes) is also under pressure, both at home and at work. The romantic lives of Hilary (Coco Jones) and Ashley (Akira Akbar) will also receive a close examination. Finally, and this is potentially where Marcel’s key role comes in, the new Geoffery (played by Jimmy Akingbola) is haunted by his past in London. It all adds up to an installment ofBel-Airthat could be both literally and figuratively explosive.
The returningBel-Airseason 3 cast also includes Jordan L. Jones, Simone Joy Jones, Jazlyn Martin, Karrueche Tran, Justin Cornwell, Brooklyn McLinn, Connor Satterfield, and more.
Bel-Air
Cast
A gritty and more grounded reimagining of the ’90s sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Bel-Air stars Jabari Banks as Will Smith. After falling afoul of a drug lord and his gang in his native West Philadelphia, Will Smith moves to a gated community in Bel-Air with his wealthy Aunt Vivian (Cassandra Freeman) and Uncle Phil (Adrian Holmes). Not only must Will adjust to his new environment, but he’s also forced to deal with his past in order to embrace his future.
