Posted by Will Smith was permanently ingrained in pop culture history when The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air became a bona fide hit. Twenty-five years after the final episode of the beloved sitcom aired, a dramatic interpretation of the show’s titular character is coming to life in the upcoming series, Bel-Air.
On Tuesday (November 23), Peacock released an early teaser for the highly anticipated show. The clip begins with actor Jabari Banks — who plays Will — falling backward into a pool and diving for a sinking crown. The words, “This is a story all about how my life got flipped, turned upside down. I looked at my kingdom. I was finally there to sit on my throne,” a nod to the original theme song.
Based on Morgan Cooper’s viral 2019 fan film Bel-Air, the series inspired the classic remake for Peacock. Set in 2021, the forthcoming show is a one-hour drama that will “dive deeper with emotions and discussions on diversity while still delivering the same swagger of the original sitcom,” according to a description.
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“At its heart, Bel-Air is a coming-of-age story that celebrates the strength and love of the Black family,” executive producers T.J. Brady and Rasheed Newson said in a joint press statement. “It’s been incredible to bring these iconic characters to life when you tap them into the cultural pulse of our time.
“The series was the fabric of so many of our upbringings, tied to memories and the joy of seeing ourselves represented on TV so it is important to us to pay respect to its legacy.”
Bel-Air — which also includes an executive producer credit for Will Smith — is expected to premiere on Peacock in 2022.