Bel-Air Season 4 Must Continue The Show’s Genius Fresh Prince Trend For The 1 Main Actor Who Has Yet To Make A Cameo

Bel-Air follows a trend that sees multiple cameos from actors who star in the inspiration for the show, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. It is a formula that always succeeds, and the show has to maintain the tradition for one actor who has yet to make an appearance. The grittier reimagining of the hit 90s sitcom, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, received a mixed reception where some viewers were skeptical about the Bel-Air remake and the justification for its existence. Since then, the show has been praised for its unique twist on the beloved characters, which allows it to stand apart from its predecessor.

The confirmation of a fourth season of Bel-Air came as a relief following the numerous unanswered questions from the end of season 3. As the last chapter in the series, season 4 of Bel-Air will have plenty of stories to wrap up. Needless to say, there are a striking number of differences between the recent remake and the original series, but the actors who return in Bel-Air from The Fresh Prince serve as a nice reminder of the source material, without overshadowing its own purpose. This is crucial for Bel-Air as it presents a rather sensitive treatment of several weighty themes.

Bel-Air Season 4 Should Include Will Smith (Playing A Brand-New Character)

Will Smith's Guest Appearance Would Bring The Show Full-Circle

Given the track record of success Bel-Air has seen with its legacy actors returning to the series, it only seems right that Will Smith should return to play a brand-new character. Peacock's remake follows a similar story to The Fresh Prince, where Will Smith's character is now played by Jabari Banks. Will Smith's inclusion in the fourth and final season of Bel-Air would create a poignant, full-circle moment that bridges the gap between the two shows. Smith's appearance could distract from the narrative, but the showrunners' impressive writing suggests they could successfully execute it without excessive meta-commentary.

Not to mention, Will Smith remains involved in Bel-Air's production as the series' executive producer. His involvement in the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air's remake has been pivotal to getting the show off the ground. As an executive producer, Smith's appearance on the show should not be ruled out, and his involvement in this official capacity is significant. Smith says, “If you notice, I’ve never put my name on something in this way as an executive producer” (via Deadline), which demonstrates his enthusiasm for the remake, particularly its skillful blending of classic elements with a fresh narrative.

Bel-Air's Fresh Prince Cameos Have Been A Great Way To Honor The Original Show

Bel-Air Did Not Obey The Traditional Spinoff Cameo Tropes

Bel-Air's inclusion of the Fresh Prince cast was well-thought-out and creative. Instead of returning to the franchise with random cameos, the actors returned to Bel-Air as different characters — each of whom possessed meaningful roles. Bel-Air remains very conscious of reminding its audience that it is part of this universe, which works in its favor as it creates a strong story that's independent of the original. In doing so, the show successfully avoids becoming dependent on the actors to capture the nostalgia of The Fresh Prince with audiences but serves as a connection to its origins.

It is obvious Bel-Air acknowledges the importance of its cameos, and strives for authentic appearances that pay homage to the original show.

This is a delicate balance that the show seems to have struck rather effectively. More importantly, by casting actors in new roles, the show respects the original characters' journeys and avoids undermining their established arcs. A large reason for Bel-Air's success can be attributed to its respect for the legacy of its predecessor. This is one major challenge that many TV revivals face, as cameos can often verge too close to fanfare for the spinoff's success. It is obvious Bel-Air acknowledges the importance of its cameos and strives for authentic appearances that pay homage to the original show.

Source: Deadline