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Led by the mercurial Will Smith, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air lasted for six seasons and had Smith playing a fictionalized, teenage version of himself. The series, well-regarded for its colorful physical comedy and Will Smith’s undeniable charisma, boasts a 7.9 rating on IMDb.

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990-96) | Credits: NBC

It kickstarted way back on NBC in September 1990 and concluded in May 1996. The show catapulted Will Smith to global stardom and introduced audiences to a stellar ensemble cast. Decades after its conclusion in 1996, fans continue to follow the lives and careers of their favorite Bel-Air residents. Here’s what the cast is doing in 2025.

Will Smith (Will) Will Smith as Will in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air | NBC

Will Smith remains one of Hollywood’s biggest stars. In 2025, he is set to star in Bad Boys 5, continuing the successful franchise alongside Martin Lawrence. Additionally, Smith is working...

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air's Will Smith explains how his dislike of the original theme song saw him taking a nerve-wracking chance to make a more fitting tune. The 1990s sitcom saw a young teen from Philadelphia move to live with his wealthy relatives in the titular Los Angeles neighborhood across six seasons from 1990 to 1996. Starring Smith as a fictionalized version of himself, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air's cast featured James Avery, Janet Hubert-Whitten, Daphne Maxwell-Reid, Alphonso Ribeiro, Karyn Parsons, Tatyana M. Ali, and Joseph Marcell.

As Vice's Black Comedy In America series turned its attention to The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Smith confessed that he loathed the original theme song that the late Quincy Jones pitched, but he felt he couldn't say that directly to the producer due to both his involvement and reputation in the music industry. As such, Smith joined forces with his frequent...

Throughout the history of television, audiences have been blessed with many beloved shows that have tackled all genres, highlighted memorable characters and visualized terrific episodic or serial narratives. At the same time, some of the best television series also struggle with the stressful and almost impossible challenge of ending a show on a high note. Whether trying to satisfy viewers, complete all narrative plot lines or respect the legacy of the show itself, dozens of series finales have been met with disappointment.

As a huge complaint for all poorly executed finales, unanswered threads leave viewers disheartened and ultimately ruin the experience of watching a show when a messy ending overshadows the entire series. Moreover, the lack of narrative satisfaction also highlights weak craftsmanship and insults the loyal fanbase that was dedicated to a specific show. However, among the sea of mishandled series finales, some television shows not only stick the...

Bel-Air features multiple cameos from actors who starred in the series its based on, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, paying tribute to the original and bringing the shows together. Bel-Air is a more dramatic take on the story from the 1990s sitcom, which has led to changes to the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air characters. This also allows the reboot to stand apart from the original, with a unique twist on what viewers know and love. In many ways, Bel-Air stands alone as a series, and the Fresh Prince cameos are a nice reminder of the source material.

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air starred Will Smith as a fictionalized version of himself. The series focuses on Wills life after moving from West Philly to live with his rich aunt, uncle, and cousins in Bel-Air, California. The Fresh Princes Banks family became one of the most popular 1990s sitcom families, making appearances...

Bel-Air is a teen drama series developed by Morgan Cooper, Malcolm Spellman, Tj Brady, and Rasheed Newson. Based on the popular Will Smith comedy series titled The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air by Andy and Susan Borowitz, the Peacock series follows the life of Will Smith, a 16-year-old boy as he is sent to gated mansions of Bel-Air to live with his rich aunt and uncle by his mother from the streets of Philadelphia. Bel-Air stars Jabari Banks, Cassandra Freeman, Jimmy Akingbola, Olly Sholotan, Coco Jones, Akira Akbar, Simone Joy Jones, and Jordan L. Jones. So, if you loved the teen drama, tons of glamor, and a heartfelt story in Bel-Air, here are some similar shows you should check out next.

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Credit – NBC

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is a comedy series created by Andy and Susan Borowitz. The NBC series follows a fictional version of...

[This story contains spoilers from Bel-Air season three, episode six, “Baggage.”]

School’s out for summer in season three of Bel-Air when it finds its lead characters, Will Smith (Jabari Banks) and Carlton Banks (Olly Sholotan), begrudgingly working at a country club at Uncle Phil’s (Adrian Holmes) urging, rather than wreaking havoc in the classroom.

“We were all excited for summer in Bel-Air because we’ve never done that before,” showrunner Carla Banks Waddles tells The Hollywood Reporter. “We’ve always been in the school hallways and in school uniforms. So just knowing that we were going to be outside meant new sets … and really focusing on what are the iconic summer things for kids in L.A. and being able to talk about all of that: Juneteenth, fireworks, beaches, bikinis, hot tubs, swimming pools.”

While playing with new environments in its latest season, which debuted on Peacock on Aug. 15, the Fresh Prince of...

That ’90s Show is one of the only spin-off comedy series that is actually good. Created by Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner, Lindsey Turner, and Gregg Mettler, the Netflix series serves as a sequel show to the popular period teen comedy series That ’70s Show. It is set in the 90s and it follows the story of Leia Forman, the daughter of Eric Forman and Donna Pinciotti as she visits her grandparents in Point Place, Wisconsin, and makes a group of friends there. That ’90s Show stars Debra Jo Rupp, Kurtwood Smith, Callie Haverda, Ashley Aufderheide, Mace Coronel, Reyn Doi, Sam Morelos, Maxwell Acee Donovan, and Laura Prepon. So, if you loved the 90s vibes, classic Red and Kitty Forman energy, and heartfelt friends moments in That ’90s Show here are some similar shows you should check out next.

That ’70s Show (Peacock & Rent on Prime Video) Credit – Fox

That ’70 Show...

Fresh Prince of Bel-Air was one of the most popular sitcoms of the 90s, spanning six seasons with 22 episodes each, that provided all the laughter and drama fans needed. The show, starring A-list actor Will Smith, was a hit with audiences of all ages because it was funny, tackled complex family issues, and the chemistry between actors like Smith, James Avery, Alfonso Ribeiro, Janet Hubert, and Karyn Parsons was terrific.

The comedy TV show follows the Banks family, whose lives are forever changed when Smith, who's been causing too much trouble for his mother in West Philadelphia, comes to live with them in their suburban California estate in Bel-Air. Despite the show's success, behind-the-scenes drama got fans talking when Aunt Viv was recast ahead of Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Season 4.

Janet Hubert Was an Integral Part of Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

Related 10 Comedy Shows With the Best Theme Songs

Janet Hubert played Vivian Banks,...

Like Will Smith, who started his career as an emcee before transitioning into a leading man onscreen in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, music was a first love for Coco Jones before she became a Disney child star and landed the role of Hilary Banks on the Peacock reimagining of the ‘90s sitcom, Bel-Air.

The duo shared the stage at an Aug. 1 barbecue at the Universal Studios backlot in Los Angeles ahead of the drama’s season three premiere on Aug. 15. Smith rapped the lyrics to his Grammy Award-winning hit “Summertime,” while Jones sang the chorus.

“Will and I are similar in the regard of being actors and balancing our music careers with our TV shows, so I really respect him,” Jones tells The Hollywood Reporter, adding of the performance, “it was a fun opportunity to promote a great show and great art.”

In Bel-Air, Jones’ character Hilary is still...

Actor Will Smith paid tribute to one of his early career roles. While he has since become an Oscar-winning actor known for his work in feature films, his rise to stardom was aided by his leading role in the hit 90s sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

Per DiscussingFilm, a new video has emerged featuring Smith on the stage at an influencer boxing event in Spain. When the familiar music from the iconic theme song for The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air started to play, Smith was met with loud applause from the crowd. He then treated them to a live performance of the song, which he'd originally created for the sitcom with DJ Jazzy Jeff. With backup dancers behind him, Smith went through the whole song, encouraging audience participation all along. The video can be watched below.

Will Smith just performed the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air theme in front of...

Last week, we posted a list of five forgotten actors we’d like to see make a comeback, and the reaction was so strong, we decided to post a bunch more! There’s a ton of forgotten actors from the 80s and 90s we’d love to have back on our screen, so let’s take a look at another group of them today.

Kelly Jo Minter

Let’s start with a horror favorite and a regular presence on the convention circuit, Kelly Jo Minter. Most folks will remember her from A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child, The People Under the Stairs, and a slew of television series appearances. She was everywhere for a while in the 1980s and 1990s, then projects started becoming further and further apart, with nothing between 2008 and 2019, then nothing since. This actress is beloved by many people, and she should get a new part,...

Nearly a quarter century after NBC sitcom “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” ended its six-season run, filmmaker Morgan Cooper uploaded a mock trailer for a dramatic reimagining of the series to YouTube, where it has since gained over seven million views. The video’s popularity soon led to the reboot idea becoming a reality in the form of Peacock series “Bel-Air,” which premiered this February. Cooper (who produces the show and directed and wrote part of its first season) recently participated in a 2022 Emmys FYC panel along with showrunners/executive producers T.J. Brady and Rasheed Newson and actors Akira Akbar, Jimmy Akingbola, Jabari Banks, Cassandra Freeman, Adrian Holmes and Coco Jones, moderated by Justin Sylvester from E! News. Watch the video Q&a above.

Brady and Newson, who have produced seven shows together beginning with “Army Wives” in 2012, both admitted they were unsure about how this particular venture would play out,...

Rebooting a beloved TV show is no easy feat, especially when that show is "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air." But it's a little easier when you've got the support of a few familiar faces. When newcomer Jabari Banks stepped into the titular role of Will Smith for Peacock's reimagining of the iconic '90s sitcom, aptly titled "Bel-Air," his nerves were inevitable. The actor says he found himself slipping into Smith's cocksure, wisecracking mannerisms more than once as the cameras were rolling, but it was the Oscar nominee's wise words that made a huge difference. "The best advice that I got from Will was just to be myself, because he was just being a fictionalized version of himself in the original," Banks tells Popsugar. "Bringing myself to the role has been an amazing experience because [the character] Will isn't too far off from Jabari. To lean into my own instincts and my...

Image Source: Courtesy of Coco Jones

In our Q&a series Last Call, we get down to the bottom of every last thing with some of our favorite celebs - from the last time they were starstruck to the last song they listened to. This week, Coco Jones takes our call.

Coco Jones is ready for the world to meet her version of Hilary Banks in Peacock's "Bel-Air." The 24-year-old actor and Def-Jam artist has been been in the entertainment industry for over a decade pursuing acting and music - which she plans to release more of soon. But for now, she's starring in a new ambitious project that aims to pay tribute to classic '90s sitcom "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air."

"Because at the end of the day, you can't please everybody. But you can't discredit quality, talent, and hard work.

The reimagined comedy-turned-drama reboot series stars newcomer Jabari Banks as Will Smith,...

The prince of Bel-Air is now the king of tell-alls. From wanting to date his co-star Karyn Parsons (Hilary Banks), to making the decision to end The Fresh Prince of Bel–Air, Will Smith shares shocking secrets from his life and career in his new memoir, Will. The hit sitcom, starring Smith, Parsons, Alfonso Ribeiro, Tatyana Ali, Daphne Reid and James Avery, premiered in 1990 and aired until 1996, when we said goodbye to the beloved Banks family. In his memoir, Smith explains that there was good reason for the show to end after six seasons. "The storylines were becoming increasingly hokey and it was difficult to maintain the 'Freshness,'" the actor writes in his...

Peacock’ Bel-Air, a contemporary reimagining of the 90s Will Smith sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, has set its main cast. Joining previously cast newcomer Jabari Banks, who will succeed Smith as Will, are fellow series regulars:

Adrian Holmes (At That Age) as Phillip Banks. The role was played by James Avery on Fresh Prince;

Cassandra Freeman (Atlanta) as Vivian Banks (played by Janet Hubert/Daphne Maxwell Reid);

Olly Sholotan (Run Hide Fight) as Carlton Banks (played by Alfonso Ribeiro);

Coco Jones (Let It Shine) as Hilary Banks (played by Karyn Parsons);

Akira Akbar (We Can Be Heroes) as Ashley Banks (played by Tatyana M. Ali);

Jimmy Akingbola (Most Dangerous Game) as Geoffrey (played by Joseph Marcell);

Jordan L. Jones (Rel) as Jazz (played by DJ Jazzy Jeff);

Simone Joy Jones (The Chair) as Lisa (played by Nia Long)

Set in modern-day America, Bel-Air, which has a two-season order, is...

Peacock’s dramatic reboot of “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” has found its Will. Jabari Banks will take over the title role that Will Smith originated in the ’90s-era sitcom.

Like Smith (and has on-screen fictionalized version of himself), Banks is from West Philadelphia. The unknown actor is fresh out of college; he only graduated from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia in 2020.

Here’s the official description for the one-hour drama, titled “Bel-Air,” which received a two-season order at Peacock last September:

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

Peacock’s “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” reboot has undergone its second showrunner switch, TheWrap has learned.

The show, which is a dramatic update on the classic ’90s sitcom starring Will Smith, has seen the exits of original showrunner Chris Collins, who left in December over creative differences, and of his replacement showrunner, Diane Houston, who has now herself stepped away.

The series, which is based on Morgan Cooper’s viral YouTube video and is produced by Smith, is now on its third showrunner, this time deciding to bring in two leaders: co-showrunners T.J. Brady and Rasheed Newson.

Casting has not yet begun for the reboot.

Here’s the official description for the one-hour drama, which received a two-season order at Peacock last September:

“Set in modern-day America, ‘Bel-Air’ is a serialized one-hour dramatic analogue of the ’90s sitcom ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’ that leans into the original premise:...

Alexandre Rockwell’s Sweet Thing could be pulled from any era. Shot in striking 16mm black-and-white, the coming-of-age film—Rockwell’s first feature since 2013—is an intimate story about childhood, connection, freedom, and the stories we tell ourselves to survive. Starring Rockwell’s own children Lana and Nico as, respectively, Billie and Nico, Sweet Thing keeps its lens on two children maturing before they should and forced into situations of adulthood.

Billie and Nico live with their alcoholic father (a tremendous WIll Patton). They see their mother (Rockwell’s wife Karyn Parsons) sparingly, as she’ll even brush them aside on Christmas. They bounce around life, taking care of their parents and each other, Billie shouldering the majority of that load and the excessive brunt of the consequences. Each scene exists through the eyes of Billie and Nico, almost moving in slow motion, the utter smallness and closeness of their lives on display.

Three children are left on their own in Sweet Thing, an evocative coming-of-age drama written and directed by Alexandre Rockwell. Returning from his previous feature, Little Feet, are Rockwell’s children Lana (playing Billie) and Nico. Joining them is newcomer Jabari Watkins as the kids’ neighbor Malik; Will Patton as their alcoholic father Adam; and Karyn Parsons (Rockwell’s wife) as their largely absent mother Eve. Shot over one summer in New Bedford, Massachusetts, Sweet Thing travels through a bleak world of poverty and despair, depicted with surprising empathy by Rockwell and through the cinematography of Lasse Tolbøll. The writer/director’s script strings […]

The post “I Wanted to Have a World I Could Paint in Broad Strokes”: Director Alexandre Rockwell on Creating the Full-of-Life Family Drama, Sweet Thing first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.

Three children are left on their own in Sweet Thing, an evocative coming-of-age drama written and directed by Alexandre Rockwell. Returning from his previous feature, Little Feet, are Rockwell’s children Lana (playing Billie) and Nico. Joining them is newcomer Jabari Watkins as the kids’ neighbor Malik; Will Patton as their alcoholic father Adam; and Karyn Parsons (Rockwell’s wife) as their largely absent mother Eve. Shot over one summer in New Bedford, Massachusetts, Sweet Thing travels through a bleak world of poverty and despair, depicted with surprising empathy by Rockwell and through the cinematography of Lasse Tolbøll. The writer/director’s script strings […]

The post “I Wanted to Have a World I Could Paint in Broad Strokes”: Director Alexandre Rockwell on Creating the Full-of-Life Family Drama, Sweet Thing first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.

"Run away with us..." Film Movement has released the official trailer for a low key indie drama titled Sweet Thing, made by Massachusetts native filmmaker Alexandre Rockwell. This initially premiered at the Berlin Film Festival last year, and it also played at the Tokyo Film Festival. The story revolves around two siblings and their struggle to find solid ground in the homes of their alcoholic father and negligent mother. The three children ultimately run away and make up a temporary life for themselves. They discover freedom and enchantment among New Bedford's boats and railway tracks. They fantasize about a life of luxury when they break into a posh home, and are able to carry the taste of affluence into their adventures. The film celebrates their ability to make poetry and a joyful life out of hardship. Starring Lana Rockwell, Nico Rockwell, Will Patton, Karyn Parsons, Jabari Watkins, M.L. Josepher, & Steven Randazzo.

Film Movement has acquired North American rights to Alexandre Rockwell’s “Sweet Thing,” which won the Berlin Film Festival’s Crystal Bear in 2020.

The movie is slated for a theatrical release this summer, followed by a rollout on all digital and home entertainment platforms. An ode to childhood, “Sweet Thing” marks Rockwell’s directorial comeback since his 2013 movie “Little Feet.”

“Sweet Thing,” which stars Lana and Nico Rockwell, Karyn Parsons and Will Patton, follows two children in contemporary New Bedford, Mass., who spend an eventful summer in a beach house with their mother and her boyfriend. They soon meet up with another adolescent, who’s run away from home, and together roam the area free from their parents’ watchful gaze, discovering freedom and enchantment among New Bedford’s boats and railway tracks.

After world-premiering at the Berlinale, the movie went on to play at the Tribeca, Mill Valley and Tokyo film festivals.

Chicago – On November 18th, 2020, the streaming service HBO Max premiered “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Reunion.” 30 years after the popular sitcom debuted, the primary cast got together to talk about the joys and foibles of developing family ties while creating and performing their characters in the show. Among the reunited cast was Will Smith (Will), Alfonso Riberiro (Carlton), Tatyana Ali (Ashley), Karyn Parsons (Hilary), Jazz (DJ Jazzy Jeff) along with the actress who portrayed Aunt Vivian, Daphne Maxwell Reid.

Reid was the second Aunt Vivian cast on the show. Janet Hubert was the first, and left the show under tremendous stress and personal issues, which was highlighted rather poignantly on the reunion show, when her and Will Smith met to work out those issues that led to the recasting. Regardless, Daphne Maxwell Reid steered the character to the end of the show in 1996, and did one more episode (75) as Aunt Vivian than Hubert.

If the pandemic has given us anything to be thankful for, it's the nearly endless cast reunions. Dozens of TV shows and movies have brought their casts together for events ranging from informal virtual hang outs to fully scripted virtual episodes to professionally produced in-person productions. They've all been fun—remember when we were losing our minds over that Parks and Recreation episode?—but none have been quite as emotional or as healing or as necessary as the reunion of the cast of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. The show turned 30 this year and celebrated by having the cast—Will Smith, Alfonso Ribeiro, Tatyana Ali, Karyn Parsons, Daphne Maxwell Reid and Joseph Marcell—meet up on...

It finally happened, everyone: Will Smith and Janet Hubert have reconciled. On Nov. 18, HBO Max dropped The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air's reunion special, which united former castmates Will Smith, Tatyana Ali, Karyn Parsons, Joseph Marcell, Daphne Maxwell Reid, Alfonso Ribeiro, and DJ Jazzy Jeff. During the gathering, the group reminisced on their best-loved scenes, off-camera moments, and their favorite memories of late costar James Avery. But the main event, of course, was Smith and Hubert's sit-down conversation and moment of resolution.

"I was no longer laughing, smiling, joking because there were things that [were] going on that nobody knew about. The cast had no idea what was going on."

It's no secret that Hubert's 1993 departure from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air wasn't amicable. During the reunion special, she opened up about everything that led up to her decision to leave the show. "Something I would like to clarify is during...

Few things feel as preordained as HBO Max’s The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Reunion, especially during a year that saw several iconic TV casts (minus the Friends) come together to remember good times and provide comforting, feel-good entertainment to homebound fans. What does surprise about the special is how moving, even cathartic, it is, reuniting Will Smith with Janet Hubert, who played Aunt Viv until she was replaced by Daphne Maxwell Reid after the third season, for the first time in 27 years.

Much of the special finds the 1990-1996 series’ core cast — Smith, Reid, Tatyana M. Ali (Ashley), Karyn Parsons ...

Few things feel as preordained as HBO Max’s The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Reunion, especially during a year that saw several iconic TV casts (minus the Friends) come together to remember good times and provide comforting, feel-good entertainment to homebound fans. What does surprise about the special is how moving, even cathartic, it is, reuniting Will Smith with Janet Hubert-Whitten, who played Aunt Viv until she was replaced by Daphne Maxwell Reid after the third season, for the first time in 27 years.

Much of the special finds the 1990-1996 series’ core cast — Smith, Reid, Tatyana M. Ali (Ashley), Karyn Parsons ...

Will Smith and his former The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air co-star Janet Hubert are saying "smell you later" to decades of tension. The popular 1990s sitcom's reunion special debuted on HBO Max on Wednesday, Nov. 18. A key highlight was Smith and Hubert clearing the air in front of fellow alums Tatyana Ali, Karyn Parsons, Joseph Marcell, Daphne Maxwell Reid and Alfonso Ribeiro. "We never really together publicly talk about Janet and what happened," Smith told the other cast members. "And for me, it felt like I couldn't celebrate 30 years of Fresh Prince without finding a way to celebrate Janet. So she agreed to sit down and have a conversation with me. And Janet and I saw one another for the...

I don't know about you, but I'm in tears after watching the cast of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air come together for HBO's reunion special, which dropped on Nov. 18. During the hour-long program, former castmates Will Smith, Tatyana Ali, Karyn Parsons, Joseph Marcell, Daphne Maxwell Reid, Alfonso Ribeiro, and DJ Jazzy Jeff paid homage to their late costar James Avery, aka Uncle Phil, who died in 2013 due to open-heart surgery complications. In honor of Avery's legacy, they opened up about his fatherly presence on and off screen before showing a video tribute with his most notable scenes. Look ahead to read the sweetest quotes from the cast's salute to Avery.

Related: What Has the Banks Family Been Up to Since The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air? Here's a Recap Ali on Avery's knowledge about Black artistry: "James is the heart of the show. He was my teacher. I learned what...

After months of teasing and anticipation, the long-awaited Fresh Prince of Bel-Air reunion is finally here. The HBO Max special reunites the surviving cast of the hit Nineties sitcom, as they sit down together on camera for the first time since the show came to an end in May of 1996.

How to Watch the Fresh Prince Reunion Online

The Fresh Prince reunion is airing exclusively on HBO Max. HBO Max subscribers will be able to watch the Fresh Prince reunion for free by logging into their account. For everyone else,...

Almost 25 years after “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” signed off of NBC, the sitcom’s stars sat down on a meticulously recreated Banks family living room set to film a reunion special for HBO Max.

Much of the special was devoted to walking the fans of the show through the process of making the show, as well as sharing fond memories from their time working together. In doing so, both in the roundtable setting and individual interview-style talking heads, the group was able to reflect on their experience, as well as the legacy of the show overall.

“The idea that we, as a Black show on TV — one of three at the time — there weren’t really us in the writers’ room,” said Alfonso Ribeiro. “As an actor, you never had a voice — you never had a voice in the room. You were a puppet who was told what to do,...

Spoiler Alert: This story contains details of the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Reunion that premieres Wednesday on HBO Max.

On September 10, 1990, we were introduced to a young man from West Philadelphia where he was born and raised. He spent most of his days on the playground where he would be chillin’ out and relaxin’. When he was shooting basketball outside of his school, he was confronted by some guys in his neighborhood who were up to no good. He got into a fight and his mom did not like this at all so he sent him to live with his auntie and uncle in Bel-Air. This is when Will Smith became the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

Fast forward 30 years later and we are reliving an era in TV history with a reunion of the cast on HBO Max — which Smith announced will be dropping on the streamer earlier than expected at 5 p.

Will Smith and the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air cast transported viewers back to 1990s on Wednesday with an HBO Max reunion special.

Filmed in September to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the NBC comedy from creators Andy and Susan Borowitz, the special featured original castmembers Tatyana Ali, Karyn Parsons, Joseph Marcell, Daphne Maxwell Reid and Alfonso Ribeiro, as well as recurring guest star DJ Jazzy Jeff. Throughout the special, the cast reflected on their first auditions, funny moments from set and the show’s lasting impact on viewers.

Back in August, a reboot of the Fresh Prince series, from Smith’s Westbrook Studios ...

Will Smith and the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air cast transported viewers back to 1990s on Wednesday with an HBO Max reunion special.

Filmed in September to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the NBC comedy from creators Andy and Susan Borowitz, the special featured original castmembers Tatyana Ali, Karyn Parsons, Joseph Marcell, Daphne Maxwell Reid and Alfonso Ribeiro, as well as recurring guest star DJ Jazzy Jeff. Throughout the special, the cast reflected on their first auditions, funny moments from set and the show’s lasting impact on viewers.

Back in August, a reboot of the Fresh Prince series, from Smith’s Westbrook Studios ...

Welcome back to Tune In: our weekly newsletter offering a guide to the best of the week’s TV.

Each week, Variety’s TV team combs through the week’s schedule, selecting our picks of what to watch and when/how to watch them. As many across the country continue to practice self-isolation due to coronavirus, why not while away a few hours on some of the shows below?

This week, the “Fresh Prince” reunion drops on HBO Max and “Supernatural” comes to an end on the CW.

“His Dark Materials,” HBO, Monday, 9 p.m.

After stepping through a portal into a different world, season 2 continues to follow the adventures of Lyra (Dafne Keen) as she meets Will (Amir Wilson), a boy from our world who is also running from a troubled past. Ruth Wilson, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Ariyon Bakare all reprise their roles in the adaptation of the second...

Wild Mountain Thyme

In the green Irish hills, Emily Blunt plays a farmer, Rosemary Muldoon, hopelessly in love with her neighbor Anthony Reilly (Jamie Dornan). For his part, Anthony is pretty oblivious to her feelings. Besides, he’s preoccupied with the fact that his father is bypassing him to sell their farm to an American nephew (Jon Hamm). Hamm doesn’t share his cousin’s blind spot when it comes to Rosemary. He takes her on a trip to New York City. Over dinner, she tells him about a long-held dream,...

There was laughter and fond remembrances on tap in the first trailer from HBO Max’s Fresh Prince of Bel Air reunion, released today.

Will Smith had the honor of posting the preview on his personal social media. The trailer shows Smith, Tatyana Ali, Karyn Parsons, Joseph Marcell, Daphne Maxwell Reid, Alfonso Ribeiro and DJ Jazzy Jeff at the Banks’s Bel-Air mansion.

“You probably seen the picture: me with the whole ‘Fresh Prince’ cast,” Smith says via selfie-cam at the top of the teaser. “But you not ready for this trailer. You couldn’t be ready for this trailer. Happy Thanksgiving. … Thank you, Will. Yes, you’re welcome, Will.”

Of the cast’s studio living room, Smith remarked, “How crazy is it, walking in here?”

“Nobody ever asked me if I could act,” said Smith.

“And you couldn’t!” Ribeiro shot back, causing uproarious laughter.

A quieter moment saw...

Will Smith has released the trailer for HBO Max’s upcoming Fresh Prince of Bel-Air reunion special. The special will bring together series regulars Smith, Tatyana Ali, Karyn Parsons, Joseph Marcell, Daphne Maxwell Reid and Alfonso Ribeiro as well as recurring co-star DJ Jazzy Jeff. Smith also sat down with Janet Hubert, who originally played Aunt Viv, for a candid conversation. For me, the surprising omission here are any of the showrunners, producers, or writers. That’s not to say that the cast won’t be interesting or have lots of fun memories to share, but I always …...

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air cast will assemble on HBO Max on Thursday, November 19.

Will Smith took to social media Friday to announce a premiere date and trailer for the project.

In the unscripted special, Smith is joined by series regulars Tatyana Ali, Karyn Parsons, Joseph Marcell, Daphne Maxwell Reid, and Alfonso Ribeiro as well as recurring co-star DJ Jazzy Jeff for a family reunion on set in the Banks’ home for a look back at the groundbreaking show.

Recorded on the 30th anniversary of the original series premiere date, Smith also sat down with Janet Hubert, who originated the role of Aunt Viv, for the first time in 27 years for an emotional reunion and a candid conversation.

Sadly, James Avery — who played beloved family patriarch Philip Banks — died in 2013.

He is remembered in the clip from the special, as Smith recalls the beloved scene where Will realized his dad...

30 years after its debut, the cast of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is reuniting to relive the story of how all their lives got flipped, turned upside down. Back in August, news broke that a reunion special with the beloved cast members—Tatyana Ali, Karyn Parsons, Joseph Marcell, Daphne Maxwell Reid, Alfonso Ribeiro and DJ Jazzy Jeff—was coming to fruition at HBO Max just in time for Thanksgiving. And, like clockwork, Will Smith kicked off Friday, Nov. 13 with the first trailer for the Banks family's get-together. "Happy Thanksgiving!" he quipped to the camera to the introduce the highly anticipated teaser. "Yes, you're welcome Will. Thank you Will....

Will Smith and the rest of the cast of the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air return to that familiar stately mansion in Los Angeles in the trailer for the new reunion special, premiering November 19th on HBO Max (get a free trial here).

The reunion marks the 30th anniversary of the show and will feature Smith and the rest of the surviving series regulars: Tatyana Ali, Karyn Parsons, Joseph Marcell, Daphne Maxwell Reid, and Alfonso Ribeiro, plus recurring co-star DJ Jazzy Jeff. The episode will feature a mix of one-on-one interviews...

Will Smith shared the trailer Friday for HBO Max’s “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” 30th anniversary reunion special. He also gave us a Nov. 19 premiere date — so get ready to get jiggy wit it just before Thanksgiving.

Smith, Tatyana Ali, Karyn Parsons, Joseph Marcell, Daphne Maxwell Reid, Alfonso Ribeiro and DJ Jazzy Jeff are all back in the (fake) mansion’s living room for the streaming special. And so is the big memory of big James Avery — though he clearly never left the cast.

One surprise in the special — at least to the cast, it has since been reported — was Smith’s invitation to original Aunt Viv Janet Hubert. She accepted.

Hubert was fired before “Fresh Prince” Season 4 and replaced by Reid for reasons that are still not fully understood — explanations range from creative differences, to contract disputes, to claims that she was fired because she got pregnant. And for his part,...

It wouldn’t be a proper Fresh Prince of Bel-Air reunion without the original Aunt Viv, who arrives for a “candid conversation” with Will Smith in a newly released trailer for the highly anticipated HBO Max special.

As previously reported, Janet Hubert, whose behind-the-scenes issues with Will Smith led to her early departure as the original Vivian Banks, agreed to sit down with Smith for the upcoming special, which is set to premiere on Thursday, Nov. 19. The sneak peek, which dropped on Friday, features footage of Hubert on the Warner Bros. lot — and audible gasps from her former TV family...

“The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Reunion” will premiere next week on HBO Max, Will Smith told fans Friday, also announcing the release of the trailer for the special, which brings the Banks family back together 30 years after the sitcom’s debut.

The reunion special will debut Thursday, Nov. 19, on WarnerMedia’s HBO Max, the exclusive U.S. subscription VOD home of the six seasons of the original ’90s series, available on the platform when it launched in May. (Watch the trailer for the special below or at this link.)

“These are the people who made me the man I am today,” Smith wrote in an Instagram post Friday revealing the premiere date and trailer. “And I couldn’t let this day go by without marking the occasion.”

Separately, NBCUniversal’s Peacock also has made a nostalgia play for the West Philadelphia-to-Bel Air franchise: Two months ago, Smith announced Peacock picked...

Will Smith is ready to tell viewers how he became the prince of a town called Bel-Air — again.

Smith on Friday shared a trailer for HBO Max’s Fresh Prince of Bel-Air reunion special, as well as its premiere date: Nov. 19. The special reunites Smith with the surviving cast of the 1990s NBC comedy — Tatyana Ali, Karyn Parsons, Joseph Marcell, Daphne Maxwell Reid and Alfonso Ribeiro — and DJ Jazzy Jeff, who recurred on the show.

The special taped in September, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of the show’s premiere, on a re-created set of the Banks family living room. It ...

Will Smith is ready to tell viewers how he became the prince of a town called Bel-Air — again.

Smith on Friday shared a trailer for HBO Max’s Fresh Prince of Bel-Air reunion special, as well as its premiere date: Nov. 19. The special reunites Smith with the surviving cast of the 1990s NBC comedy — Tatyana Ali, Karyn Parsons, Joseph Marcell, Daphne Maxwell Reid and Alfonso Ribeiro — and DJ Jazzy Jeff, who recurred on the show.

The special taped in September, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of the show’s premiere, on a re-created set of the Banks family living room. It ...

Will Smith reunited with some of his original Fresh Prince of Bel-Air cast mates for a video tour of the series’ classic mansion. The clip hypes the announcement that the home is available to rent on Airbnb for five nights to mark the sitcom’s 30th anniversary.

The five-minute teaser follows Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff on a stroll through the property, which includes memorabilia from the series. “I know it’s supposed to be for other people,” Smith says of the home. “But I need this for myself.”

After...

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air cast is back together!

Will Smith reunited with the show’s co-stars on Thursday for an HBO Max special celebrating the TV show’s 30th anniversary.

On Thursday, the 30th anniversary of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air's premiere, Will Smith shared the first look photos from the sitcom's upcoming reunion which just began filming.

The actor shared two photos from the 30th-anniversary special, which was shot this week on the show's original set.

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Today is exactly 30 Years since The @FreshPrince of Bel-Air debuted! So we’re doin’ something for y’all… a for real Banks Family Reunion is comin’ soon to @HBOmax! Rip James. #FreshPrince30th

A post shared by Will Smith (@willsmith) on Sep 10, 2020 at 4:30pm Pdt

"Today is exactly 30 Years since The @FreshPrince of Bel-Air debuted!" Will Smith, 51, wrote on his Instagram.

"So we’re doin’ something for y’all…...

Cast reunions are big business and with HBO Max as the home for the complete series of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, it was only a matter of time before they got that cast back together for a reunion. Now we’ve got the first photo of the cast reunited. Will Smith joined Tatyana Ali, Karyn Parsons, Joseph Marcell, Daphne Maxwell Reid and Alfonso Ribeiro as well as recurring co-star DJ Jazzy Jeff for a family reunion on set in the Banks’ home for the show’s 30th anniversary. Even more surprising was a sit-down with the …...