The upcomingBel-Airseason 4 looks like it will be making big changes from the emotional Banks family twist in the original series' finale. A modern remake of the popular 1990s sitcom,The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Peacock’sBel-Airseries follows the journey of Philadelphia teenager, Will Smith, who is sent to live with his extended family in the prestigious community of Bel-Air.
InBel-Air, Will endures a difficult relationship with his cousin, Carlton, and struggles to fit in at his new school, Bel-Air Academy, where he endures bullying and racism. As the series progresses, Will and the Banks go through different challenges in their lives and their relationship as a family, including struggles with drug abuse, questions about sexuality, and mob ties.
WhileBel-Airwas initially met with a mixed response, it did receive praise from critics and viewers for its darker take on the Fresh Prince, and for addressing modern issues. Although it was one of the platform’s most-streamed original series, it was announced thatPeacock had cancelledBel-Airand would air its final season in late 2025.
Bel-Air’scancellation after only four seasons is one of several changes from theFresh Prince, which ran for six seasons. There areseveral theories as to howBel-Airseason 4 will end, but it looks like the Peacock series will have to make major changes to its storyline if it wants to match up to the original series' emotional finale.
The Banks Family Moving To New York In Bel-Air’s Series Ending Looks Unlikely
The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air Ended With The Banks Family Leaving California
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’sfinale, “I, Done”, depicted theBanks familypreparing tomove on from their Bel-Air home, after Hilary’s talk show receives a transfer to New York. While the majority of the Banks family moves to New York, Carlton transfers to Princeton University, Geoffrey moves back to London, and Will stays in California to finish his education.
The Fresh Prince’sfinal episode is considered one of the best TV series finales of all time and was a realistic and satisfying end to the iconic sitcom. WhileBel-Air’sseason 4 has several storylines to wrap up, there is no confirmed setup for the Peacock drama to provide the same results as the original’s finale.
Bel-Airseason 3 endedwith Will being kidnapped by Geoffrey’s old mob gang and Vivian discovering that she was pregnant with her fourth child; season 4 ofBel-Airwill see the introduction of Nicky Banks, the youngest family member. Nicky’s impending birth in season 4 andthe unresolved cliffhangers from season 3’s finale do not indicate that Bel-Air will introduce a storyline about moving to New York.
Bel-Air’s Finale Has High Standards After The Fresh Prince’s Emotional Ending
There’s Pressure To Live Up To The Original’s Finale
Season six, episode 24, “I, Done,” is consideredone of the saddestFresh Princeepisodesas it provides a true sense of closure to the family’s story, and gives viewers the emotional impact of growing up and moving on.Will’s decision to stay in California and finish his studies perfectly reflects how much he has grown, as seen in the sitcom’s final scene.
Even if the Peacock drama avoids using the New York storyline, it still faces immense pressure to live up to the original’s finale, especially givenBel-Airseason 4’s disappointing episode change. While the first three seasons ran for 10 episodes each, season 4 will only run for eight, severely impacting the series' chance of providing users with a convincing finale.
Bel-Airseason four is set to premiere on Peacock in the summer or fall of 2025.
WhileBel-Air’s finale will likely be different toThe Fresh Prince, it doesn’t mean that the series can’t provide viewers with a satisfying ending. The family’s currently unresolved dramas and the impending birth of Nicky will likely bring them closer together and see them pull together as a unit, and see Will and his cousins grow as individuals.
A replication of theFresh Prince’sfinale is possible, but the Peacock drama needs to end with a realistic and unique ending and give a powerful farewell to the characters. Will and his family have gone through many changes inBel-Air, but the impending final episode needs to provide the same level of closure and emotion used in the original series' finale.
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 in order to embrace his future.
