Jabari Banks as Will in season 3 of “Bell-Air.” Photo: Greg Gayne/Peacock.
“Bel-Air” returns to Peacock for its three-episode third season on Thursday, August 15, and continues to answer the question, “Can a show that began as a joke about the idea of a dramatic reimagining of a classic sitcom work on its own terms?” with a qualified “Yes!”
This impressively directed series still manages to take the basic concept of the comedy series The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (yes, the series that launched Will Smith; the film star is one of the producers of the current series) and transform it into a series full of melodrama and family interaction. And while it still has problems balancing it all, it’s a fresh take on the idea that’s worth watching.
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Does season 3 of “Bel-Air” have new appeal?
(Left to right) Olly Sholotan as Carlton, Jabari Banks as Will in season 3 of “Bell-Air.” Photo: Greg Gayne/Peacock.
The series was originally created by Morgan Cooper as a trailer that gave the idea of ”The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” a moody, dramatic tone, but in its current form it was prevented from doing so – although it undoubtedly deals with some difficult topics (addiction, estranged parents, difficult relationships between them), “Bel-Air” not only focuses on the darker sides of the story, but also has room for comedy: Jabari Banks provides charm and laughs in the lead role of Will Smith as he continues to try to navigate life as a West Philadelphia street kid in the glamorous environment of Bel-Air.
Although he was born and raised elsewhere, Will still finds a way to make his way among the rich and powerful, using his experience from sports to do so.
“Bel Air” Season 3: Screenplay and Direction
(Left to right) Olly Sholotan as Carlton, Cassandra Freeman as Vivian, Adrian Holmes as Philip in season 3 of Bell-Air. Photo: Greg Gayne/Peacock.
Co-showrunners Carla Banks-Waddles, TJ Brady and Rasheed Newson don’t want to change too much in this third season, keeping the various storylines largely on track. Among them? Will’s attempt to become more successful off the basketball court, his cousin Carlton Banks’ (Olly Sholotan) experiences after drug rehab, Carlton’s sister Hillary (Coco Jones) having to balance her love life with her career as an influencer, and the parents of the Banks children, Philip (Adrian Holmes) and Vivian (Cassandra Freeman), who are dealing with their own issues, which in this third season include the newly emerged specter of infidelity.
The problems arise from the fact that they aren’t the only characters the show has to juggle – there are also people like trusted advisor/facilitator Geoffrey Thompson (played by Jimmy Akingbola) and his own plan to have his estranged son visit and how that ties into his British gangland past; Will’s friend Jazz and his financial problems with his record store; and various significant others of the younger characters. All of which means that people like the younger Banks sibling Ashley (Akira Akbar) are largely overlooked, at least initially.
The directing team, including John Scott and Keesha Sharp, keeps everything looking great—obviously, the demands of a streaming service in the 2020s are very different than those of a multi-camera sitcom from the 1990s. While there’s a lot of pressure to portray the trappings of a wealthy family, the holdovers are rarely seen (one glaring example is an episode of the new season set in “Downtown LA,” which is so clearly a studio backlot).
“Bel-Air” Season 3: Performances
(From left to right) Olly Sholotan as Carlton, Justin Cornwell as Lamarcus, Cassandra Freeman as Vivian, Adrian Holmes as Philip, Coco Jones as Hilary, Akira Akbar as Ashley, Simone Joy Jones as Lisa, Jabari Banks as Will in season 3 of “Bell-Air”. Photo: Travis Ellison/Peacock.
As mentioned, Bel-Air has a large cast, and not all of the actors have great storylines to sink their teeth into, but they still deliver solid performances.
Jabari Banks as Will Smith
Banks carries the lion’s share of the story and proves to be a charismatic performer, bringing Smith’s likability to the role even when given a more dramatic storyline. Certain more complicated emotions seem out of his reach at times, but overall he’s a watchable anchor of the show.
Olly Sholotan as Carlton Banks
While Carlton in the original series was a figure of fun, known for his silly clothing style and a strange dance named after him, the Bel-Air version is much more serious, driven by ambition and haunted by personal demons. Sholotan is more than up to the task and brings a believable shine to his character.
(Left to right) Adrian Holmes as Phil, Jimmy Akingbola as Geoffrey in Season 3 of “Bell-Air.” Photo: Greg Gayne/Peacock.
Jimmy Akingbola as Geoffrey Thompson
Much like the character Carlton, the original’s Geoffrey was primarily a delivery man for witty, sarcastic humor and commentary. In Bel-Air, he is more likely to be found investigating criminal activity or using his fists (when necessary). As in the sitcom version, Geoffrey is more of a supporting role, but Akingbola is such a likeable and charming actor that he makes the most of it.
Other notable characters
The rest of the Banks family all have their parts to play – parents Philip and Vivian are drawn more into the dramatic side of things this season as they worry about their careers and the stability of their marriage, and they’re both more than up to the task. Characters Hilary and Ashley are largely isolated in their own stories, but have some funny moments.
“Bel-Air” Season 3: Final Thoughts
Jabari Banks as Will in season 3 of “Bell-Air.” Photo: Travis Ellison/Peacock.
“Bel-Air” is the rare example of a high-concept idea that resulted in an impressive show that can stand on its own.
This third season certainly shows some teething issues – as the ensemble grows, the struggle to give everyone a place in the precious narrative space becomes more and more real. And certain storylines do suffer from relatively quick conclusions; situations can seem difficult and dramatic one moment, only to be quickly resolved a few episodes later. Still, “Bel-Air” is killer where it needs to be.
“Bel-Air” Season 3 receives 7 out of 10 stars.
“Live by your own rules.”
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3 seasons13 February 2022
What is the story of season 3 of “Bel-Air”?
In season three of Bel-Air, school is out for summer vacation and Will (Jabari Banks) is living Bel-Air his own way. Being part of the Banks family has given him a new perspective – it’s not just about wealth; it means Will now has the opportunity to pursue other things that excite him and the privilege of dreaming bigger. As Will makes an exciting turnaround, he finds a partner in Carlton (Olly Sholotan), who is desperate to leave his life as an addict behind and restore his damaged reputation. And while the dynamic duo achieves many exciting successes, their collaboration also reveals fundamental differences in their backgrounds and worldviews. Can a partnership of such extreme nature work?
Pressures at work and at home will also pose challenges for Viv (Cassandra Freeman) and Phil (Adrian Holmes). How can a couple stick together when their lives are on the line? Hilary’s (Coco Jones) romantic journey with LaMarcus (Justin Cornwell) will hit some shocking hurdles, and Ashley’s (Akira Akbar) views on romance will evolve as she comes of age in the summer before high school starts, and Geoffrey’s (Jimmy Akingbola) London past will hit a little too close to home.
Who is in the cast of season 3 of “Bel-Air”?
The cast of “Bel-Air” includes Jabari Banks, Adrian Holmes, Cassandra Freeman, Olly Sholotan, Coco Jones, Akira Akbar, Jimmy Akingbola, Jordan L. Jones and Simone Joy Jones.
“Bel-Air.” Photo: Peacock.
