Bel-Air: Season 1 | Rotten Tomatoes (2025)

65% Tomatometer 48 Reviews 69% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings

A re-imagination of the beloved sitcom "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" set in modern-day America 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 worlds collide, he 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.

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Bel-Air — Season 1

Bel-Air — Season 1

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Critics Consensus

Bel-Air replaces its predecessor's high spirits with a dour tone and an uneasy mix of realism, although there are signs that this reimagining can grow into a fresh new spin.

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Critics Reviews

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Bel-Air: Season 1 | Rotten Tomatoes (1) Doreen St. Felix The New Yorker The missing element here is the camp of a juicy soap. If we can’t laugh, then we should gasp. Remaking an iconic series is a silly endeavor—why not lean all the way into that? Mar 16, 2022 Full Review Bel-Air: Season 1 | Rotten Tomatoes (2) Richard Roeper Chicago Sun-Times Peacock’s reimagining of the ’90s sitcom goes over the top with drama, conflict and heavy-handed symbolism. Rated: 2.5/4 Feb 16, 2022 Full Review Bel-Air: Season 1 | Rotten Tomatoes (3) Melanie McFarland Salon.com The main Banks making the series work is Jabari, the newcomer playing the fictional Will Smith. He has a lively swagger that emerges more readily as the series goes on. Feb 15, 2022 Full Review Bel-Air: Season 1 | Rotten Tomatoes (4) Mel Campbell ScreenHub Disconcertingly both glossy and dour, and sometimes it really seems to hit the limits of a four-minute idea … [Its] treatment of privilege and guilt lacks bite, as the show often resolves its tensions through temporary, feelgood gestures. Rated: 3.5/5 Aug 29, 2022 Full Review Bel-Air: Season 1 | Rotten Tomatoes (5) Carys Anderson Consequence In its 2022 iteration, Bel-Air capitalizes on the two things dominating television today: nitty-gritty realism, and nostalgia. Mar 22, 2022 Full Review Bel-Air: Season 1 | Rotten Tomatoes (6) Monique Jones Common Sense Media Bel-Air is enjoyable enough as a dramatic reboot of the popular '90s sitcom starring Will Smith. Rated: 3/5 Feb 22, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Sabrina D I was a huge fan of the old series. Big fan of the new one and I love the more modern spin, the cast, the present issues and cliffhangers. Waiting for the next season. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/13/24 Full Review Fortune S This is one of the most Underrated series I've seen, Such a Superb one from PEACOCK Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/20/24 Full Review Gustavo Z Definitely not the Fresh Prince, but the realLife feel gives it a bit different perspective. A little over the top at times but it lands OK. Not the best thing out there, but it is worth a watch. Rated 3/5 Stars • Rated 3 out of 5 stars 08/13/24 Full Review streng g Nothing to do with the Original Show.Its just here for the Message. Rated 1.5/5 Stars • Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 02/16/24 Full Review Ballisticzs R So I never watched the original sitcom so I can't compare this show to the original but from my understanding this remake is a more dramatic approach and for me it works very well. Jabari Banks as Will is not only so charming, but he is a walking manifestation of Will Smith with the way he carries himself and talks. He was the perfect casting for this role. The casting for the rest of the family I think was great, with the addition of Coco Jones who I know from Let It Shine, this show really lets her shine throughout the season. The dramatic tone of this story I feel works very well, and it was also very well written, whether it was the drama between Will and Carlton, Vi and Vivian, or Uncle Phil and Jeffrey, each dramatic scene there was great tension that kept you captivated to the scene and in a lot of them you can feel the emotional depth of the story, not just with the writing but also the directing and acting performances that this cast gives. There were many times where it was hard to side with someone between arguments because of how much this story tries to stay in the middle ground between the drama. I will say, the season does start to drag a little for me due to the whole plot with Uncle Phil's campaign and also with the drama between Aunt Viv and Uncle Phil. I just felt that some of their subplots that were given weren't as interesting as others, but even with that I am able to see the message of the plot and I'm still able to see how well written the show is, especially when those key points of the plot play so well into the suspenseful twists that are placed in front of us. Overall, Bel Air Season 1 is pretty engaging with the amount of dramatic subplots with only a few making the show drag, while also rocking a well talented cast with the standout being Jabari as Will. So many moments where the drama made me feel touched and made me either sympathize or empathize with the story which by the end even had me get emotional. Season 1 is definitely FRESH. A- Rated 4/5 Stars • Rated 4 out of 5 stars 08/30/23 Full Review Zack F The Fresh Prince of Bel Air brought a very modern approach to the classic original that will smith stared in Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/07/23 Full Review Read all reviews

Bel-Air — Season 1

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Cast & Crew

Jabari Banks Will Adrian Holmes Phillip Banks Cassandra Freeman Vivian Banks Olly Sholotan Carlton Banks Akira Akbar Ashley Banks Coco Jones Hilary Banks
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Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Feb 13, 2022 Dreams and Nightmares Will Smith, a talented West Philadelphia teenager, is sent to live with family in Bel Air; upon his arrival, he quickly discovers how different things are and that this is his chance at a new beginning. Details Episode 2 Aired Feb 13, 2022 Keep Ya Head Up Will finds he doesn't fit in at his new school in Bel Air and realizes he'll need to rethink how he navigates this new world; the Banks family starts to adjust to life with Will. Details Episode 3 Aired Feb 13, 2022 Yamacraw Attending Uncle Phil's Black fraternity event helps Will find his groove with his family and peers as it becomes clear that his stay in Bel Air will be more permanent. Details Episode 4 Aired Feb 17, 2022 Canvass The Banks family rallies around Uncle Phil to ramp up his campaign; Will's past starts to catch up to him, and he finds help in an unexpected place. Details Episode 5 Aired Feb 24, 2022 PA to LA When Will's friend Tray visits, his loyalty to Philly is put to the test; the Banks family supports Hilary by hosting an influencer event. Details Episode 6 Aired Mar 3, 2022 The Strength to Smile The Banks family supports Lisa when they host an event in memory of her mother at the mansion; Will puts his feelings of mistrust aside and steps up to the plate for the Bankses and Lisa. Details Episode 7 Aired Mar 10, 2022 Payback's a B*tch Will and Carlton throw a house party at the Banks mansion; when Phil unexpectedly shows up at Viv's art event, their relationship is shaken by a lack of trust; Hilary stands up to Kylo after he posts a video of her without her consent. Details Episode 8 Aired Mar 17, 2022 No One Wins When the Family Feuds As the Banks family celebrates Will's birthday, his mom comes to visit, causing unexpected tension; the adults consider whether it's time to tell Will about his father. Details Episode 9 Aired Mar 24, 2022 Can't Knock The Hustle The Banks family goes to church; Will considers taking the opportunity to find his father, unknowingly driving a wedge between Phil and Geoffrey. Details Episode 10 Aired Mar 31, 2022 Where To? Will's father makes a surprise appearance when he shows up unexpectedly and exposes a long-buried secret after telling the truth about where he's been. Details

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Related TV News

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Bel-Air Stars Share Key Notes on Adapting ’90s Sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air to Drama

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Bel-Air — Season 1

‘Bel-Air’ Cast Share Key Notes on Adapting Series to Drama ‘Bel-Air’ Cast Share Key Notes on Adapting Series to Drama 20:30 Bel-Air: Season 1 Teaser - West Philly to Bel-Air Bel-Air: Season 1 Teaser - West Philly to Bel-Air 0:46 Bel-Air: Season 1 Trailer Bel-Air: Season 1 Trailer 2:39 Bel-Air: Season 1 Teaser - Will Smith Reveals Casting of Will Bel-Air: Season 1 Teaser - Will Smith Reveals Casting of Will 2:11 Bel-Air: Season 1 Teaser - My Kingdom Bel-Air: Season 1 Teaser - My Kingdom 0:48 View more videos

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Bel-Air — Season 1

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Network
Peacock

Genre
Drama

Original Language
English

Release Date
Feb 13, 2022
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Bel-Air: Season 1 | Rotten Tomatoes (2025)
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