Bel-air - -2022-2022

The 2022 version uses its hour-long format to dissect uncomfortable truths about modern society. The Nuance of the Black Experience

Bel-Air forces us to look at the Fresh Prince without rose-colored glasses. It asks the audience: If you took the jokes away from a kid who was sent away from his home after a violent incident, how would he really feel? The answer is uncomfortable, gripping, and undeniably fresh. Bel-Air -2022-2022

The cinematography replaces the primary colors of the 90s with a lush, saturated palette of gold and deep blues. The soundtrack is a curated love letter to modern hip-hop and soul, grounding the show firmly in the contemporary moment while honoring the cultural legacy of its predecessor. Final Verdict The 2022 version uses its hour-long format to

In the biggest departure from the original, Carlton is no longer the goofy, Tom Jones-loving comic relief. He is a deeply insecure, privileged king of his prep school who suffers from anxiety and turns to substance abuse to cope with the pressure and Will's sudden arrival. The answer is uncomfortable, gripping, and undeniably fresh

Discovered through a nationwide casting call, West Philadelphia native Jabari Banks steps into the titular role with immense charisma. Unlike the carefree joker played by Will Smith in the 90s, this modern Will is a high school basketball prodigy burdened by intense survival guilt, a fierce temper, and a desperate need to maintain his authenticity while navigating an alien, elite world. Carlton Banks (Olly Sholotan)