The upcoming fourth season ofBel-Airwill be its last one, which means the Peacock drama series will avoid repeating an issue involving the Banks family from the popular 1990s' sitcom. Premiering in 2022,Bel-Airserves as a remake of the popular sitcom,The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,following a young teenager, Will Smith, moving from his hometown of Pennsylvania to live with his extended family in the prestigious Bel-Air, in hopes of straightening up his life.Bel-Airoffers a modern re-imagining ofThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and transforms the light-hearted and humorous sitcom into a darker and harrowing drama.
Upon its release,Bel-Airreceived a mixed-to-positive responsefrom critics and viewers, with some praising the drama for its modern adaptation ofThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,while others criticized it for being overly melodramatic and removing the original’s comedic aspects. Nevertheless,the announcement ofBel-Air’scancellation after season 4left many disappointed, considering the original aired for six seasons.Bel-Airseason 4has several theorieson how it will potentially provide the long-anticipated answers to the unresolved cliffhangers left at the end of season 3, and hopefullyavoid a Banks family issue that impacted the original sitcom’s later seasons.
Nicky Banks Likely Won’t Be Born Until Bel-Air Season 4’s Ending
Vivian Banks Found Out She Was Pregnant At The End Of Bel-Air Season 3
In the later seasons of the 1990s' sitcom, theBanks family tree ofThe Fresh Prince of Bel Airexpanded, with the arrival of Nicky Banks, the fourth and youngest child of Philip and Vivian. Vivian announces her pregnancy to the family in season 3, episode 2, and as the season progresses, the family prepare for the arrival of the new baby.The birth of Nicky Banks took place inFresh Princeseason 3, episode 20, appropriately titled “The Baby Comes Out,“after a dramatic race to get Vivian to the hospital by Ashley and Geoffrey to deliver the baby.
ThroughoutBel-Airseason 3,there were several hints that Vivian Banks, played by Cassandra Freeman, could also be pregnant, but it wasn’t until theseason 3 finale ofBel-Air, that her pregnancy with Nicky was confirmed. Vivian’s surprise pregnancy comes at a time when she is maintaining a balance between her art career and family life.The upcoming fourth season will potentially follow Vivian preparing for the arrival of her new baby, while also being forced to deal with difficult family issues, including Will’s kidnapping by Geoffrey’s former gang member friend, Roman, and Hilary’s complicated relationship with Lamarcus.
Bel-Airseason 4 is expected to premiere in summer or fall 2025 on Peacock.
The character of Nicky Banks was originally introduced inThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Airto tie-in with Janet Hubert’s real-life pregnancy with her son in 1992. AlthoughBel-Airhas made several changes fromTheFreshPrince, Vivian’s pregnancy and the eventual birth of Nicky will undoubtedly see the family face new challenges in their lives and relationships similar to the ones faced in the original 1990s' sitcom. But given how Vivian’s pregnancy wasn’t revealed until the final episode ofBel-Airseason 3,it’s more than likely that the birth of Nicky Banks won’t occur until close to the season four finale ofBel-Air.
Bel-Air Won’t Have To Deal With Fresh Prince’s Issue Of Aging Up Nicky
Nicky Banks Was Aged From An Infant To A Preschooler In The Fresh Prince
During the television run ofThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Airin the 1990s', there were several changes made throughout the series, including thecontroversial firing of the original Vivian Banks actress, and the aging of the character of Nicky Banks. Throughout season 4, Nicky was depicted as a young toddler being looked after by his parents and older siblings, but by season 5, he had rapidly grown into a preschool child, who looks up to his cousin, Will. Played by Ross Bagley during the final two seasons, Nicky proved popular with viewers for his no-nonsense attitude and admiration of Will.
Peacock’s decision to endBel-Airwith season 4means that the show will not have to deal with aging Nicky as the story progresses. Although Nicky eventually proved to beone of the most likable members of the Banks family,keeping him as a newborn infant inBel-Airwould allow the show to maintain realistic continuity. Nicky Banks' impending arrival in the final season ofBel-Aircould also bring the entire Smith-Banks together as a whole and allow them to conclude their story with a happy ending.
Bel-Air
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.
