Bel-Airhas been renewed for a fourth and final season at Peacock, although there will be one notable change. When the reboot debuted in February 2022, the reimagined and more dramatic take onWill Smith’sFresh Prince of Bel-Airhelped establish Peacock as a streaming service and was its most-viewed series at one point. But after having several showrunners at the helm, not to mention numerous twists and cliffhangers, another iteration ofFresh Princeis eying the exits.
Deadlineconfirms thatBel-Airhas been renewed for season 4, which will be the last. The news, which comes almost three months after the season 3 finale, is accompanied by a significant shift. Sources note thatseason 4 will consist of eight episodes, rather than the usual 10. It’s reported that the delay in the renewal occurred after conversations regarding the reboot’s budget.
What The Renewal Means For Bel-Air
The Cliffhanger Will Be Addressed
Bel-Airseason 3 endswith Will (Jabari Banks) being mysteriously thrown into a car. Although it’s unknown who is responsible for the harrowing scene, it’s been teased thatthe abduction has to do with the enemies that Geoffery (Jimmy Akingbola) has made. The renewal means that viewers who have been watching the reboot since the beginning will get closure on that major story thread, though others need to be addressed.
The reboot, which hails from Universal Television and Will and Jada Pinkett Smith’s Westbrook Studios, was the first Peacock show to make it to three seasons.
There’s uncertainty forall the mainBel-Aircharacters, such as Aunt Viv (Cassandra Freeman)getting a positive pregnancy test in a callback to the originalFresh Prince. It’s a big step for Viv and her husband Phil (Adrian Holmes). Elsewhere, Hilary (Coco Jones) has her own relationship developments. Her feelings for Jazz (Jordan L. Jones) may not be totally forgotten, even as she gets married to LaMarcus (Justin Cornwell) in the season 3 finale.
LaMarcus' fate itself is kept up in the air, considering that Hilary finds her husband unconscious during their honeymoon. Carlton (Olly Sholotan) and Ashley (Akira Akbar), for their part, are on their own romantic journeys which will now be resolved.The decrease in episode count likely connects back to the budget conversations, and it does mean that individual episodes will have to be a little longer or the reboot will have less time to wrap things up.
Our Take On Bel-Air’s Impending End
Peacock Is Closing A Key Chapter
The reboot, which hails from Universal Television and Will and Jada Pinkett Smith’s Westbrook Studios, was the first Peacock show to make it to three seasons.It is now the only scripted, non-animated Peacock Original to have four seasons, although the streamer has had recent successes with shows likePoker Face,Ted, andTwisted Metal.Bel-Airremains the streamer’s first major series and a relative breakout success.
15 Best Peacock Original Series Of All Time, Ranked
Peacock has crafted standout original series, elevating the streaming landscape with top-tier talent and storytelling deserving of TV acclaim.
Bel-Airhas had several changes creatively, with executive producer Carla Banks Waddles serving as showrunner since season 2. On-screen, the reboot has shifted and adjusted its focus throughout a four-season run as well and began with a more melodramatic bent than where it currently sits. Although the renewal news is bittersweet, particularly with fewer episodes, at least the number of dangling storylines will achieve closure.
Bel-Air
Cast
A gritty and more grounded reimagining of the ’90s sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Bel-Air stars Jabari Banks as Will Smith. After falling afoul of a drug lord and his gang in his native West Philadelphia, Will Smith moves to a gated community in Bel-Air with his wealthy Aunt Vivian (Cassandra Freeman) and Uncle Phil (Adrian Holmes). Not only must Will adjust to his new environment, but he’s also forced to deal with his past in order to embrace his future.
