Bel-Air
Bel-Air
Now Showing

Bel-Air

"In the end, it's all love."

7.7
Yr 2022
Status Ended
Drama
Your Verdict

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Series Brief

Overview

The journey of a book smart teen whose life is forever transformed when he moves from the streets of west Philadelphia to live with his relatives in one of LA’s wealthiest suburbs.

Critical Reception

What critics are saying

Score 48 /100

Critical reception for Bel-Air is deeply polarized, with critics struggling to reconcile the show's dark, dramatic tone with the beloved sitcom source material. Supporters appreciate the series for its attempt to handle themes of race and class with modern realism, often praising lead actor Jabari Banks for his charisma and the show's stylish production values.

Conversely, many reviewers argue that the gritty reboot is a redundant, joyless experience that lacks the heart and humor of the original. Several critics suggest the concept feels stretched, noting that while the show addresses relevant real-life issues, it often struggles to justify its transition from a mock trailer to a long-form drama series.

“The way they are handled in 2022 feels more realistic.”

“This show is very serious, and it deals with real-life issues.”

“Bel-Air has all the time in the world to fashion drama about race, class and coming-of-age, but it ends up being less layered and guileful than its source material.”

“Peacock's Bel-Air, a dramatic reboot of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, sends Will Smith to Bel-Air with a lot more drama than comedy, and it doesn't work as a TV show.”

Transmission Paths

Where to Watch

Peacock Premium
US
Peacock Premium Plus
US
Club Illico
CA
Show 2 more
StackTV Amazon Channel
CA
fuboTV
CA
Why fans love it

Bel-Air treats the iconic 1990s premise as a grounded drama rather than a sitcom. By pivoting away from the laugh track, the series leans into the friction created when a teenager from West Philadelphia navigates the high stakes of an affluent Los Angeles suburb. The shifts in social standing and the complexities of wealth are examined through a lens that prizes tension over comfort.

The production relies on the presence of Jabari Banks to anchor these power dynamics. The narrative focuses on the internal struggle of maintaining personal identity while adapting to a polished, unfamiliar environment. The result is a series that prioritizes the weight of family expectations and cultural adjustments, offering a serious perspective on a story recognizable to many.

Featured Players

Cast

Credited 75
Regulars 9
Longest run 38 eps
Jabari Banks
Jabari Banks
as Will Smith
38 episodes
Adrian Holmes
Adrian Holmes
as Phillip Banks
38 episodes
Cassandra Freeman
Cassandra Freeman
as Vivian Banks
38 episodes
Jimmy Akingbola
Jimmy Akingbola
as Geoffrey Thompson
38 episodes
Olly Sholotan
Olly Sholotan
as Carlton Banks
38 episodes
Coco Jones
Coco Jones
as Hilary Banks
38 episodes
Akira Akbar
Akira Akbar
as Ashley Banks
38 episodes
Simone Joy Jones
Simone Joy Jones
as Lisa Wilkes
38 episodes
Show 67 more
Jordan L. Jones as Jazz 38 episodes Jazlyn Martin as Jackie 14 episodes Karrueche Tran as Ivy 10 episodes Marlon Wayans as Lou Smith 3 episodes April Parker Jones as Viola 'Vy' Smith 8 episodes Joe Holt as Fred Wilkes 10 episodes Daphne Maxwell Reid as Helen 3 episodes Michael Ealy as Reed Broderick 4 episodes Ben Cain as Rev. Robert Lamonte 4 episodes Dorian Harewood as Judge Robertson 2 episodes Rita Angel Taylor as Lucia 3 episodes Maxwell Ross as Kirk 2 episodes Tash Jordan as Nathan 3 episodes Bayley Corman as Hannah Lennox 3 episodes Eazy the Block Captain as Rashad Denton 2 episodes Christian Germany as Jared 3 episodes Cristian Soto as Romario 2 episodes Stevonte Hart as Tray Melbert 4 episodes Tyler Barnhardt as Connor Satterfield 11 episodes Rachel Leyco as Chloe 3 episodes Charlie Hall as Tyler Laramy 9 episodes Sam Daly as Coach Johnson 5 episodes Wendy Davis as Joan 5 episodes Benita Krista Nall as Denise 4 episodes Saudia Rashed as Monique 2 episodes Thomas Crawford as Principal Bernard Hartwig 4 episodes Carl Gilliard as Henry Miles 2 episodes Scot Ruggles as Lacrosse Coach 2 episodes Jon Beavers as Kylo 5 episodes Duane Martin as Steven Lewis 3 episodes Aimee Li as Phanta 6 episodes Andi René Christensen as Monica 7 episodes Scottie Thompson as Angela 2 episodes Daniel Kim as John 2 episodes Tatyana Ali as Ms. Hughes 4 episodes Reno Wilson as James Lewis 5 episodes Brooklyn McLinn as Doc 9 episodes Riele Downs as Yazmin Staats 5 episodes Debbie Fan as Mrs. Kwan 2 episodes Anissa Lee as Syncopated Lady #3 2 episodes Nicholas Duvernay as Drew 9 episodes Reagan Marum as Olivia 7 episodes Shelley Robertson as Ms. Bassin 4 episodes Justin Cornwell as Lamarcus Alton 10 episodes Diandra Lyle as Erika Baker 8 episodes Al-Shabazz Jabateh as Hudson 5 episodes Jeris DuPree as Brian 3 episodes Joivan Wade as Fredrick Thompson 6 episodes Keith Arthur Bolden as Lorenzo 2 episodes Charles Jackson as Jerrell 2 episodes Vic Mensa as Quentin 4 episodes Alycia Pascual-Peña as Amira 8 episodes Artemis Snow as Celia 3 episodes Azie Tesfai as Cruz 3 episodes Bentley Green as Zaire 3 episodes B.J. Minor as Spencer 4 episodes Joshua Adeyeye as Shareef 2 episodes Dulé Hill as Omar Campbell 5 episodes Akilah A. Walker as Yolanda Porter 6 episodes David Ramsey as Lamont Alton 3 episodes Nadine Ellis as Annie Alton 3 episodes Anthony Robertson as Dante 2 episodes Deja Unique as Starr 2 episodes Israel Johnson as Terrell 2 episodes Lenora Crichlow as Penelope 5 episodes Michael Govan Hackett as Eli 4 episodes Blythe Howard as Jade Bryant 2 episodes
Signal Match

Similarity

Where Bel-Air overlaps with other shows, and exactly what they have in common.

Technical Sheet

Details

First Aired
February 13, 2022
Status
Ended
Origin
US
TMDB Votes
293