Since its premiere in 2022, audiences have been wondering when Will Smith will make an appearance onBel-Air, but I can think of the ideal way to include Smith in the reboot.Bel-Airis a drama series that has streamed on Peacock for three seasons.The show is a reimagining of the iconic 1990s sitcom,The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,which starred Smith as a Black teenager who goes from living in the rougher neighborhoods of West Philadelphia to the wealthy California suburb of Bel-Air. So far, the reboot has earned critical success, with an 85% onRotten Tomatoes.
Like with any reboot,Bel-Air’sviewers are constantly wondering whether the original cast will return. This scenario is a bit difficult considering the reboot includes the same characters as the original. Alfonso Ribeiro could not return as Carlton Banks, but would have to take on an entirely new role. Regardless, the big star that audiences are dying to see is Smith, and I can’t deny that I’m hoping to see him too. Smith’s time onThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Airwas iconic. However,Smith’s involvement inBel-Airwould have to be handled in a way that is creative and meaningful.
Will Smith Should Only Appear In Bel-Air For The Final Episode
Why Would Bel-Air’s Finale Be So Meaningful
I think the best time for Smith to appear onBel-Airis in the show’s very last episode. As of now,Bel-Airjust finished premiering its third season, and hopes are high for a fourth.Bel-Airseason 4 has a lot of questions to answerconsideringhowBel-Airseason 3 ended. IfBel-Airseason 4 ends up being the show’s final season, I think this would be a great time to bring on Smith. As the reboot comes to its final conclusion, it can finally give viewers what they have been waiting for, arguably since the show’s very first episode.
Why Bel-Air Season 4 Having A Will Smith Cameo Would Be A Bad Idea
Bel-Air is based on the premise of Will Smith’s original 90s sitcom, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, but the main actor has yet to appear in a cameo.
Smith returning inBel-Air’sfinale would be ideal because it would give the final episode theoomphthat every finale needs. More than that, it would make the last episode incredibly meaningful. As the character Will Smith’s journey ends for a second time,it would be touching to see the old Will Smith and the new Will Smith interact.Bel-Airhas definitely had a much darker tone thatThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,but both shows intended similar things. To have them intersect via their casts would create a full-circle moment that I personally am desperate to see.
The Ideal Will Smith Cameo Only Works If Bel-Air Has A Proper Finale
Why Bel-Air’s Finale May Not Happen
Unfortunately,the only way my Smith plan will work is ifBel-Airhas a proper finale. These days, it can be hard for a show to get a strong conclusion, as cancelations happen all the time and TV series rarely set an end date for themselves. In this way,Bel-Aircould end without any fanfare, leaving audiences disappointed and lacking that Smith cameo that we’ve all been waiting for. As much as Smith’s cameo in the finale would be distinctly important, it is a scenario that the show may never get a chance to live out.
Fortunately,Bel-Airseason 4 does seem like a strong possibility considering the many cliffhangers that ended season 3.
At this point,Bel-Airhas yet to be renewed for a fourth season. This isn’t necessarily a bad sign, but it does open up the possibility of the show not getting renewed at all. Based on viewership, budgets, and other external factors, Peacock could decide that moving forward withBel-Airseason 4 is not the best move. Fortunately,Bel-Airseason 4 does seem like a strong possibility considering the many cliffhangers that ended season 3. With so many questions left unanswered,Peacock could have been planning forBel-Airseason 4 all along.
Will Smith Shouldn’t Play A Major Character In Bel-Air
Bel-Air Has Successfully Stood On Its Own (Smith Shouldn’t Change That)
Ultimately, my main requirement for Smith’s potential appearance onBel-Air, whether it is in season 4 or beyond, is that he plays a small role. One of the most important elements of a reboot or spinoff series is that it can stand on its own. AlthoughBel-Airdefinitely garnered audiences because of its connections toThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,the series has proven that it can be interesting and good all on its own. Despite using familiar characters and settings,Bel-Airputs a darker, dramatic spin on the original sitcom.Making Smith a big character could potentially change this.
July 02, 2025 to July 22, 2025
August 17, 2025 to August 04, 2025
June 11, 2025 to June 16, 2025
Season 4
TBD
It is important that Smith has a small role so that he doesn’t steal the limelight fromthe rest ofBel-Air’scast, especially Jabari Banks. Banks has done a great job of making Will Smith his own character, and focusing too much on the real Smith could endanger that.Bel-Airis its own series first, so Smith must be secondary to the overarching goals of the show. Cameos are definitely exciting, but when it comes toBel-Air,I think the reimagined story should always come first.
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 to embrace his future.
