Synopsis: In season three, school’s out for the summer, and Will is doing Bel-Air his way. Being a part of the Banks family has given him a new perspective – it isn’t just about wealth, it means that Will now has options to lean into other things that excite him and has the privilege to dream bigger. As Will makes an exciting pivot, he finds a partner in Carlton, who desperately wants to leave his life of addiction behind and rebuild his damaged reputation. And while the dynamic duo has a lot of exciting wins, working together also reveals fundamental differences in their backgrounds and worldviews. Can a partnership of such extremes work? Pressure at work and home will also pose challenges for Viv and Phil. How does a couple hold strong when their lives are at sea? Hilary’s romantic journey with LaMarcus will face some shocking hurdles, and Ashley’s views on romance will start to blossom as she comes of age the summer before she starts high school, and Geoffrey’s London past will come a little too close to home.
Season 3 of Bel Air was good.
Pros: Theirs is a fair louder of drama going on this season. It good to see progression for the main characters. Theirs some well done editing and well put together scenes. I do fell for the emotion happening throughout and the finale was so good.
Cons: I stood away from this season for some time. The storyline I lost touch with was the one involved Geoffrey and family issues.
Genre: Drama
Created by Andy Borowitz & Susan Borowitz
Directed by
A story
by Andy Borowitz & Susan Borowitz
A format
by Benny Medina & Jeff Pollack
Developed by
Morgan Cooper & Malcolm Spellman & TJ Brady & Rasheed Newson
Showrunners: TJ Brady & Rasheed Newson, Carla Banks Waddles
Starring: Jabari Banks, Cassandra Freeman, Jimmy Akingbola, Olly Sholotan, Coco Jones, Akira Akbar, Simone Joy Jones, Jordan L. Jones, Adrian Holmes
Music by Terrace Martin, Robert Glasper, Jacob Yoffee, Roahn Hylton
Executive producers: TJ Brady & Rasheed Newson, Morgan Cooper, Will Smith, Terence Carter, James Lassiter, Miguel Melendez, Malcolm Spellman, Benny Medina, Quincy Jones, Andy Borowitz & Susan Borowitz, Carla Banks Waddles, Anthony Sparks, JaNeika James & JaSheika James,
Producers: Debra Lovatelli, Jeff Rafner, Jason B. Harkins, Douglas S. Ornstein, John Vohlers
Cinematography: James Hawkinson, Christopher Soos, Keith L. Smith, Andrew Strahorn
Editors: Jennifer Barbot, Christopher S. Capp, Angela Latimer, Shoshanah Tanzer, Mark Heiliger, Marc Wiltshirem, Kendra Pasker, Nicole Vaskell, Stefanie Visser, Alex Wills
Production companies: Arbolada Roads, Ra Shines Inc., Cooper Films, The 51, Westbrook Studios, Universal Television, Babycakes Productions
Network: Peacock
Casts & Characters:
Main:
- Jabari Banks as Will Smith, a 16-year-old from West Philadelphia who is sent to live with his aunt and uncle in Bel-Air by his mother, Vy
- Cassandra Freeman as Vivian Banks, Will’s aunt, wife of Philip and sister of Vy
- Jimmy Akingbola as Geoffrey Thompson, the House Manager of the Bankses, originally from Jamaica before moving to London as a child
- Olly Sholotan as Carlton Banks, the lacrosse-playing middle child of Viv and Phil and Will’s cousin
- Coco Jones as Hilary Banks, a social media influencer, excellent chef and eldest child of Viv and Phil and Will’s cousin
- Akira Akbar as Ashley Banks, the 12-year-old youngest child of Viv and Phil and Will’s cousin
- Simone Joy Jones as Lisa Wilkes, a potential love interest of Will, and Carlton’s ex. She is also on the swim team.
- Jordan L. Jones as Jazz, a taxi driver Will met and bonded with when he arrived at LAX. He also owns a record store and has a crush on Hilary.
- Adrian Holmes as Philip Banks, Will’s lawyer uncle, husband of Viv
Recurring:
- April Parker Jones as Viola “Vy” Smith, Will’s mother
- SteVonté Hart as Tray Melbert, Will’s former best friend in Philadelphia
- Tyler Barnhardt as Connor Satterfield, Carlton’s best friend during season 1 but later stopped the friendship due to Connor’s behavior
- Joe Holt as Fred Wilkes, Lisa’s father who is a Chief of Police for the LAPD
- Charlie Hall as Tyler Laramy, Will’s friend and basketball teammate at Bel-Air Academy
- Wendy Davis as Joan
- Jon Beavers as Kylo
- Michael Ealy as Reid Broderick
- Karrueche Tran as Ivy
- Tatyana Ali as Mrs. Hughes (season 2), Ashley’s English literature teacher at Bel-Air Academy. Ali portrayed “Ashley Banks” in the original series.
- Reno Wilson as James Lewis (season 2)
- Brooklyn McLinn as Doc Hightower (season 2–present)
- Jazlyn Martin as Jackie (season 2–present)
- Justin Cornwell as Lamarcus Alton (season 2–present)
- Diandra Lyle as Erika Baker (season 2–present)
- Joivan Wade as Fredrick Thompson (season 2–present)
- Vic Mensa as Quentin (season 3)
- Alycia Pascual-Peña as Amira (season 3), Carlton’s rehab classmate turned new girlfriend
- B.J. Minor as Spencer (season 3), the group leader at the Young Adult Narcotics Anonymous meeting that Carlton goes to
- Dulé Hill as Omar Campbell (season 3)
- Akilah Walker as Yolanda Porter (season 3)
- Lenora Crichlow as Penelope (season 3)
- Michael Govan Hackett as Eli (season 3)
In addition, Aimee Li and Andi Rene Christensen costar as Phanta and Monica (two of Hilary’s influencer housemates), with Al-Shabazz Jabateh also costarring as Hudson for the second season.
Special guest stars:
- Daphne Maxwell Reid as Janice, a board member of the Art Council. Reid previously was the second actress to portray Vivian Banks in the original series. Also in the original series, Janice was the name of Vivian’s youngest sister.
- Vernee Watson-Johnson as Helen, another board member of the Art Council. Watson-Johnson previously portrayed Viola ‘Vy’ Smith in the original series. Also in the original series, Helen was the name of Vivian, Vy and Janice’s sister
- Marlon Wayans as Lou, Will’s father who he thought abandoned his mother
- Joseph Marcell as Roman (season 3)
I highly recommend watching this season on peacock.
Rating: 7 out of 10 Stars
Ryan Balkwill:
Resident TV reviewer,
Level Best Art Cafe