Exclusive: Coco Jones, Olly Sholotan and Akira Akbar on bringing today's Black Experience 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.
Blackfilmandtv.com correspondent Sidnee Michelle spoke with Coco Jones, Olly Sholotan and Akira Akbar on bringing today's Black Experience on Bel Air.