To say the “Bel-Air” cast are excited about their show’s return is an understatement. The hit Peacock drama kicked off its highly anticipated second season on Feb. 23, proving just how much of a massive success it was during its 2022 debut. “I knew that people would love it. They just didn’t know yet,” Jabari Banks, who plays Will, tells POPSUGAR. “It was a huge ‘I told you so’ moment.”
“I was surprised by people’s public display of, ‘OK, forgive me. I said the show was going to be rubbish, and now I’ve watched it. It’s amazing.'”
The resounding sentiment among the rest of the “Bel-Air” cast – Olly Sholotan (Carlton Banks), Adrian Holmes (Philip Banks), Cassandra Freeman (Vivian Banks), Coco Jones (Hilary Banks), Akira Akbar (Ashley Banks), Jimmy Akingbola (Geoffrey Thompson), Jordan L. Jones (Jazz), and Simone Joy Jones (Lisa) – is not one entirely of shock but, in Freeman’s words, a “relief” that people fell in love with the show the way they did. “I was surprised by people’s public display of, ‘OK, forgive me. I said the show was going to be rubbish, and now I’ve watched it. It’s amazing.'”
Since silencing their doubters and earning some big-name fans – Will Smith, LeBron James, and Travis Scott, to name a few – “Bel-Air” has undoubtedly become one of the most celebrated shows on TV right now. So much so that it warranted a major cameo from “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” alum Tatyana Ali, who recurs in season two as Ashley’s teacher Mrs. Hughes.
“She has this scene with Ashley,” Sholotan says, “and I remember right after she shot it, she was coming out of her trailer, and she was like, ‘I just told the new Ashley things that I wish I heard when I was playing her,’ and that’s spiritual. That’s just beautiful stuff.”
From the sounds of it, “Bel-Air” has even more surprises in store for season two, and viewers can’t wait to see where the show’s story will venture next.
Above, watch the cast’s full interview and find out what tough conversations they’re happy to see “Bel-Air” address.