As the unique Fresh Prince, Will Smith attempts to place his Oscar night slap within the rearview as Peacock is moving forward with Season 2 of Bel-Air, the buzzy fish-out-of-water drama based on the classic ’90s sitcom. NBCUniversal’s streaming service unveiled a teaser trailer for the show’s sophomore 12 months a day after Apple TV+ unveiled the newest take a look at Smith’s Oscar-contender, Emancipation. While the Oscar-winning King Richard star is not referenced within the 45-second spot, it’s clear that Season 2 hasn’t severed its connection from the sooner show. (Watch the teaser above.)
Bel-Air’s well-reviewed freshman season wrapped up with West Philly-to-Bel Air transplant, Will (Jabari Banks), meeting his long-absent father, Lou, played by Marlon Wayans — a component played by Ben Vereen within the ’90s version. Funnily enough, Banks told Yahoo Entertainment earlier this 12 months that he wanted Smith himself to play Will’s dad in a little bit of full-circle casting. “It might be interesting to see him as my dad,” the young actor remarked.
Will (Jabari Banks) and Carlton (Olly Sholotan) prepare for more drama in Season 2 of Bel-Air. (Photo: Casey Durkin/Peacock)
Based on Peacock’s Season 2 synopsis, it seems like Lou is likely to be sticking around Bel-Air for awhile, and his presence appears prone to spoil the great thing that Will has occurring with Aunt Viv and Uncle Phil (Cassandra Freeman and Adrian Holmes). “Last season was very much in regards to the introduction to the Banks family world, and this season we get to go deeper with a few of the themes we touched on,” incoming Bel-Air showrunner, Carla Banks Waddles, remarked in a press release. “We’ll also explore Will’s character beyond feeling like a fish-out-of-water. He’s now struggling to seek out a balance of maintaining his independence and his West Philly identity while also being open to latest opportunities for himself in Bel-Air.”
And just as Season 1 touched on timely real-world issues — including colorism and code-switching — Season 2 may even speak to the moment. Within the background of 1 shot, Will stands on the roof of his school above a “Black Teachers Matter” banner while Banks’s voiceover references what it means to “disturb the system.”
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“We have all got decisions to make,” Will concludes. “But this time, nobody select for me.”
Speaking with Yahoo Entertainment ahead of Bel-Air’s freshman season premiere in February, creator Morgan Cooper — who directed the viral 2019 short film that caught Smith’s eye and inspired the series — said that the previous Fresh Prince was a sounding board throughout the show’s first 12 months. “He was at all times one text away for advice,” said Cooper. “He’s really allowed us to do our own thing, and has given us the trust on the creative side. I can not say enough about our collaboration. He’s sensible, and I’m thankful to know him.”
Season 2 of Bel-Air premieres Feb. 23 on Peacock.
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