Essence gu™
  • FASHION
    • FASHION NEWS
    • ACCESSORIES
    • FEATURES
    • FASHION WEEK
  • BEAUTY
    • SKIN
    • MAKEUP
    • HAIR
    • NAILS
  • ENTERTAINMENT
    • GU JAMS
    • FILM
    • TV
    • RADIO
    • BOOKS
    • TECH
    • SPORTS
  • WELLNESS
    • RELATIONSHIPS
    • SEX
    • HEALTH
    • FOOD
    • ASTROLOGY
  • BUSINESS
    • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
    • MONEY
    • CAREERS
    • ADVICE
  • FEEDBACK
    • NEWS
    • IDENTITY
    • ACTIVISM
    • POLITICS
    • LET’S TALK ABOUT IT
  • SHOPPING
    • FASHION
    • BEAUTY
    • TECH
    • LIFESTYLE
  • Videos
  • GU Summit 2024
  • ESSENCE.COM
  • SUBSCRIBE TO NEWSLETTER
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service

Subscribe to Trending News

Our weekly newsletter with the latest celebrity news, fashion updates, interviews and exclusive offers!

Your email is required.
Your email is in invalid format.
Confirm email is required.
Email did not match.
By clicking Subscribe Now, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. By supplying your cell phone number, you consent to receive marketing messages from ESSENCE. Please note that standard messaging rates apply from your provider.
  • FASHION
    • FASHION NEWS
    • ACCESSORIES
    • FEATURES
    • FASHION WEEK
  • BEAUTY
    • SKIN
    • MAKEUP
    • HAIR
    • NAILS
  • ENTERTAINMENT
    • GU JAMS
    • FILM
    • TV
    • RADIO
    • BOOKS
    • TECH
    • SPORTS
  • WELLNESS
    • RELATIONSHIPS
    • SEX
    • HEALTH
    • FOOD
    • ASTROLOGY
  • BUSINESS
    • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
    • MONEY
    • CAREERS
    • ADVICE
  • FEEDBACK
    • NEWS
    • IDENTITY
    • ACTIVISM
    • POLITICS
    • LET’S TALK ABOUT IT
  • SHOPPING
    • FASHION
    • BEAUTY
    • TECH
    • LIFESTYLE
  • Videos
  • GU Summit 2024
  • ESSENCE.COM
  • SUBSCRIBE TO NEWSLETTER
Home • Entertainment

Will Smith Announces Who Will Star In 'The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air' Reboot

The show will air on Peacock.
Will Smith Announces Who Will Star In ‘The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air’ Reboot
Actor Will Smith breaks from filming “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” on October 20, 1990 at Columbia/Sunset Gower Studios in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
By Kyra Alessandrini · Updated May 1, 2024

The “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” reboot has picked its new lead actor. Jabari Banks will be taking on the role of Will Smith in Bel-Air, slated for release on Peacock, NBC’s streaming service. Set in modern-day Los Angeles, the reboot will follow its original 1990s show’s premise, chronicling young Will’s journey from the streets of West Philadelphia to the gated mansions of Los Angeles’ Bel-Air.

Original lead actor Will Smith broke the news to an astonished Banks on a video call on Tuesday. “It is an absolute pleasure to meet you, to be on with you and from the deepest part of my heart I want to say congratulations to you,” said Smith. “You have the role of Will on Bel-Air.”

The show has been ordered for two seasons.

This will be Banks’ first television role, according to Deadline. The actor shared that he decided to try out for the role after his father sent him an article about the opportunity. “This is a dream come true,” Banks said. Banks also shared how much of an impact the original show has had on his life— he showed Smith a high school picture of his friends and him dressed up as the characters. “I’m so grateful. This is incredible,” he added.

Much like his character, Banks is from West Philadelphia and graduated from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia back in 2020. Banks is also an accomplished singer-songwriter, rapper, and basketball player.

“You have a fantastic road ahead of you and I’m looking forward to being an asset for you in this process as you build out your life and build out your career,” said Smith, who will executive produce Bel-Air.

Bel-Air will be produced by Jada Pinkett-Smith and Will Smith’s Westbrook Studios and Universal Television.

Watch Will Smith surprise Jabari Banks below.

Article continues after video.

Photo Credit: Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

TOPICS:  Fresh Prince Peacock Will Smith
Connecticut Family Seeks Answers After Lauren Smith-Fields Was Found Unresponsive In Her Apartment

COMPANY
INFORMATION

OUR COMPANY
CONTACT US
JOB OPPORTUNITIES

SUBSCRIBE

NEWSLETTERS
DISCOVER MORE EVENTS
Follow Us

MORE ON
ESSENCE GU™

HOME
RELATIONSHIPS
BEAUTY
HAIR
FASHION
EVENTS

ESSENCE GU™ is part of ESSENCE Ventures

ESSENCE GU™ may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.

©2023 ESSENCE Ventures. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Essence.com Advertising Terms