Exclusive: Adrian Holmes and Cassandra Freeman on playing Philip and Vivian Banks on Bel-Air
Currently airing on Peacock is Peacock’s new one-hour drama series Bel-Air, starring Jabari Banks, Adrian Holmes, Cassandra Freeman, Olly Sholotan, Coco Jones, Akira Akbar, Jimmy Akingbola, Jordan L. Jones, and Simone Joy Jones. BEL-AIR premiered on Sunday, February 13, 2022 (Super Bowl Sunday) on Peacock with three episodes at launch and new episodes to air every Thursday
Set in modern-day America, Peacock’s new one-hour drama series Bel-Air imagines the beloved sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air through a new, dramatic take on Will’s complicated journey from the streets of West Philadelphia to the gated mansions of Bel-Air. As these two worlds collide, Will reckons with the power of second chances while navigating the conflicts, emotions, and biases of a world far different from the only one he’s ever known.
Executive produced by Will Smith, and inspired by Morgan Cooper’s viral trailer that reimagined the iconic, culture-defining ‘90s sitcom, Bel-Air takes a fresh and raw approach to this world of swagger, style, and aspiration, while exploring Will’s complex journey through a current lens. The new series features an ensemble cast that introduces Jabari Banks as Will and a creative team that includes Cooper, who serves as director, co-writer, and executive producer, and co-showrunners and executive producers T.J. Brady and Rasheed Newson.
Known for her roles in Inside Man, Luke Cage, Atlanta, The Enemy Within and for her role as Shelly Wayne in the CBS crime drama television series Blue Bloods, Cassandra Freeman stars as “Vivian Banks” in this reboot series.
As Philip Banks, Holmes is best known for his television roles, such as Basqat on Smallville, Marcus Mitchell on True Justice and Frank Pike on Arrow. His most notable role is Nick Barron in the English Language version of 19-2 on Bravo, which garnered him a Canadian Screen Award for Best Actor in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role in 2017. His film credits includes Red Riding Hood, Frankie & Alice, Elysium and The Cabin in the Woods.
Blackfilmandtv.com’s Wilson Morales caught up with Holmes and Freeman as they talked about playing Philip and Vivians Banks.
