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A reference guide for Peacock’s “Bel-Air,” including the actors, characters, organizations, locations, and more.
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A reference guide for Peacock’s “Bel-Air,” including the actors, characters, organizations, locations, and more.
Please Note: This content contains pertinent spoilers, descriptions are updated as new information is presented, images changed as better ones are captured, and this is not an exhaustive list of every cast member, guest star, or reoccurring role.
General Information
| Network(s) | Peacock |
| Created or Developed By | Morgan Cooper, Malcolm Spellman, T.J. Brady, Rasheed Newson |
| Based On | “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” by Andy Borowitz, Susan Borowitz, Benny Medina, and Jeff Pollack |
| First Aired | February 13, 2022 |
| Executive Produced By | TJ Brady, Rasheed Newson, Morgan Cooper, Will Smith, Terence Carter, James Lassiter, Miguel Melendez, Malcolm Spellman, Benny Medina, Quincy Jones, Andy Borowitz, Susan Borowitz, Carla Banks Waddles, Anthony Sparks |
| Showrunner(s) | TJ Brady and Rasheed Newson (Season 1)
Carla Banks Waddles (Season 2) |
| Genre(s) | Drama |
Overview
First Season
Following the plotline of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Bel-Air acts as a dark reboot that strips away the studio audience-styled comedy of the original show for drama. The kind which makes Will’s need to leave West Philadelphia far more severe, and the issues of the Banks family and what happens in Bel-Air, far less after-school special style and like a modernized drama.
Second Season
“Bel Air” begins to look for its own voice and story. It does this by deepening Carlton’s journey regarding Blackness, drug use, and adapting to Bel-Air Academy culture. Also, it touches upon the Black Lives Matter movement by focusing on one of Ashley’s teachers who gets fired. There is also a deepening of Phil’s backstory as his family and the law firm he founded are introduced, as well as an ex who is one of Vivian’s sorority sisters.
As that goes on, Will is trying to manage having a friendship with Lisa while dating a new girl and dealing with the complications that come from being used to the position of star player but being forced into becoming a team player. Lastly, Hillary continues to pursue proving herself as an influencer while trying to date with intention.
Groups & Organizations
- Haute Cuisine (1.1): A popular cooking magazine
- Delta Phi Gamma (1.3): Vivian, Joan, and Gayle’s (Lisa’s mother) sorority
- Alphas (1.3): Phil’s fraternity
- Zenith Hype (2.1): Doc’s company which trains basketball players
- Banks, Johnson, and Lewis (Season 2): A 20+-year-old law firm Phil, James, and James’ brother Derek founded
- Philip Banks and Associates (2.10): Phil’s new law firm
Notable Locations & Items
- West Philly (1.1): Where Will was born and raised
- Bel-Air (1.1): Where Viv and Phil made a home and raised their family
- Charlie’s Vinyls (1.4): Jazz’s record shop
Terms To Know
- ():
Other Noteworthy Information
- Crawfish Boil (1.3): A year tradition of the Alphas that Carlton and Phil used to go to regularly to bond.
- Time Passed (1.5): It has been two weeks since the events of 1.3
- Marriage Length (1.8): According to Aunt Viola, she hasn’t been in Bel-Air in 20 years, which was when Phil and Vivian got married.
- School Year (2.10): Will and Carlton are ending Junior year
[ninja_tables id=”63933″]
Will Smith (Jabari Banks)
Before heading to Bel-Air, 16-year-old Will was a star basketball player with a potential D-1 scholarship waiting on him, and VCU (Virginia Commonwealth University) sending scouts to recruit him. But thanks to one basketball game where he got too cocky, Darnell ruined his and Tray’s lives and coerced Will’s mom to send him to Bel-Air for his safety.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 1 “Dreams and Nightmares”
- The Actor Is Also Known For: A Unknown Role in “Bad Genius”
- Favorite Basketball Player (1.1): Allen Iverson
- Other Talents (1.4): Is a talented piano player
- Daddy Wasn’t There (1.6): Will’s dad left when he was 4
- Age (1.8): He turns 17
- Earliest Memory (1.8): Will can firmly remember things up to about age 6 or 7, but his earliest memory is being kissed by a girl named Jasmine in episode 4
- Father’s Name (1.8): Will’s father is named Lou and on top of being a user, in terms of creating debts for Viola to pay, he is a noted half-ass dreamer
Quotes & Gifs
This s*** won’t be so heavy if you let me carry it with you.
— Will (1.9)
Darnell (Sloan “D4M $Loan” Morgan)
At one time, in school, Darnell was Will’s rival. However, ending up in juvie messed up Darnell’s trajectory and made it so school and the basketball team no longer were an option. However, even without college or professional basketball in his future, his claims of still being the best are what led Will to challenge him and all the trouble that caused him to head to Bel-Air.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 1 “Dreams and Nightmares”
Quotes & Gifs
Rashad (Eazy the Block Captain)
Rashad is a local drug dealer, of which Darnell is one of his workers, and because of Darnell throwing a ball at him and Rashad thinking it was Will and Tray, a fight broke out. One that Will ended by firing Tray’s gun and pointing the gun at Rashad’s face. Hence why Viola sent Will off to Bel-Air since Rashad wanted to kill Will for disrespecting him like that.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 1 “Dreams and Nightmares”
Quotes & Gifs
Tray (Stevonte Hart)
Tray is Will’s best friend out in Philly, who takes the brunt of Rashad’s ire when Will is sent off to Bel-Air.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 1 “Dreams and Nightmares”
- The Actor Is Also Known For: Brian Harlins in “Little Fires Everywhere,” KJ in “Queen Sugar” and Little Sammy in “Mississippi Damned“
Quotes & Gifs
Phillip Banks, aka Uncle Phil (Adrian Holmes)
Philip Banks is a lawyer currently running for the LA District Attorney position, who seemingly hasn’t been out east since his career started to take off. Also, at one time, when Vivian was still an active painter, he took a step back and let her shine. However, once they had Hillary, they swapped places, and it has primarily been about his career ever since.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 1 “Dreams and Nightmares”
- The Actor Is Also Known For: Ellington Cooper in “At That Age,” Frank Pike in “Arrow,” and Basqat and Griff in “Smallville.”
- Hometown (1.2): Yamacraw, North Carolina
- Background (1.2): His family had farmland back in Yamacraw and lost it due to eminent domain. This triggered him to get into knowing and practicing the law, and he has made a name for himself taking on slum lords
- Nickname (1.3): Amongst his Alpha brothers, he is known as Yamacraw
Quotes & Gifs
[…] you start a fight, you don’t get to complain about hot it ends.
— Phil (1.2)
Iron sharpens iron, and sometimes sparks do fly.
— Phil (1.6)
Vivian Banks, aka Aunt Vivian or Aunt Viv (Cassandra Freeman)
Vivian is Will’s maternal aunt, who is a bit estranged due to her, and her kids rarely, if ever, heading back to Philly to visit family. But, what can she say? She’s busy. Though she doesn’t paint anymore, she is a full-time art professor at a local school and is often helping Phil with his campaign and keeps up with her sorority.
Let it be known; however, she hasn’t forgotten where she came from. It’s just she had to adapt to her new surroundings.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 1 “Dreams and Nightmares”
- The Actor Is Also Known For: Jasmine in “The Last O.G.,” Patricia Wilson in “Luke Cage,” and “Wanda Durant” in “The Real MVP: The Wanda Durant Story.”
- Places Traveled (1.5): It is noted she traveled to South Africa at 19 and she met President Nelson Mandela
Quotes & Gifs
Talent is not enough. You need opportunities. Luck.
— Aunt Viv (1.4)
Sometimes your pain gets misdirected.
— Viv (1.6)
It’s better to argue less, and listen more.
— Viv (1.8)
Hilary Banks (Coco Jones)
Currently, on a two-year break from school, Hillary’s main focus is becoming a social media influencer specializing in cooking. However, Vivian isn’t necessarily supportive of this and often bickers with Hillary about what she will do with her life.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 1 “Dreams and Nightmares”
- The Actor Is Also Known For: in “”
- Social Media Following (1.4): Hillary notes she has 275,000 followers on TikTok and 50,000 followers on Instagram
- Premature (1.5): We learn she was born two months premature
Quotes & Gifs
Ashley Banks (Akira Akbar)
12-year-old Ashley is socially aware and, unlike her older siblings, a bit more interested in what goes on beyond the wealthy area they live in. Also, she may be interested in one of her friends – who is a girl.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 1 “Dreams and Nightmares”
Quotes & Gifs
Carlton Banks (Olly Sholotan)
The Junior class’ student body president, and captain of the Lacrosse team, Carlton is considered one of the kings of Bel-Air Prep and doesn’t take too well to Will gaining so much so quickly. Especially because of all the groundwork Carlton had to lay, and maintain, to get the position he achieved.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 1 “Dreams and Nightmares”
- Drug of Choice (1.1): Carlton does a notable amount of Xanax, which was originally prescribed to him for his anxiety. However, now he snorts it for a nice high.
- Drug Addict (2.10): He has been doing cocaine at least two to three years
- Winning The People Over (1.2): The way Carlton achieved his title of Junior Class President wasn’t just through being captain of the lacrosse team but remembering everyone’s name and birthday
- College Aspirations (1.6): He has a interest in Princeton and Stanford
Quotes & Gifs
I know I’m not alone. I’m just the only one you see.
— Carlton (2.7)
Lisa (Simone Joy Jones)
Lisa is Carlton’s ex-girlfriend, who is a notable swimmer at Bel-Air prep, and has Olympic aspirations. Also, she is the daughter of one of Vivian’s sorority sisters, who died of Lupus, and the daughter of the LA Police Chief.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 1 “Dreams and Nightmares”
- Mother’s Name (1.3): Gayle
- Death (1.4): Lisa’s mom died 3 years ago
- Mother’s Origins (1.5): Her mother is from New Orleans
- College Aspirations (1.6): Howard University
- Real First Name (1.7): Beulah is her real first name
Quotes & Gifs
Viola “Vy” (April Parker Jones)
Viola is Will’s mom, a nurse, and Vivian’s older sister.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 1 “Dreams and Nightmares”
- Years Since She Has Been In Bel-Air (1.8): It has been 20 years since Viola has visited Bel-Air, and that was for Phil and Vivan’s wedding
- Maternal Figure (1.8): The way Viola talks, she partly raised Vivian, gave her the first canvas and brush set she used, supported her career, and took care of their mother Molly while Vivian was living the good life in Bel-Air. Which is why her and Vivian have issues, since Viola feels she didn’t get her props for all she has done.
Quotes & Gifs
You didn’t climb no mountain, you were carried.
— Vy (1.8)
Geoffrey Thomas (Jimmy Akingbola)
The Jamaican-born, London-raised Geoffrey is the house manager, not butler, for the Banks’ Bel-Air estate, including their personal security. Alongside that, he appears to be Phil’s best friend and like an uncle to Ashley.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 2 “Keep Ya Head Up”
- Left Behind (1.9): We’re told Geoffrey has a son he abandonned
Quotes & Gifs
Connor (Tyler Barnhardt)
Connor is a spoiled rich kid with a federal judge for an uncle and a mother who invests in hedge funds and is Carlton’s best friend.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 2 “Keep Ya Head Up”
- Friends Since When? (1.2): Connor and Carlton have been friends since grade school
Quotes & Gifs
Coach Johnson (Sam Daly)
Coach Johnson runs the Bel-Air Prep basketball team.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 2 “Keep Ya Head Up”
Quotes & Gifs
Jazz (Jordan L. Jones)
Jazz is a ride-share driver in his spare time but mainly focuses on running his uncle’s record store throughout the day.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 2 “Keep Ya Head Up”
- Shop Name (1.4): The shop Jazz owns is called Charlie’s Vinyls
Quotes & Gifs
Remembering where you come from, doesn’t mean you can’t change your life for the better. The key to happiness is staying true to who you are, no matter where you are.
— Jazz (1.10)
Tyler (Charlie Hall)
Will’s classmate in Algebra II, alongside his teammate on the basketball team, who quickly becomes his best friend in Bel-Air.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 2 “Keep Ya Head Up”
Quotes & Gifs
Derrick (Ahmad Dugas)
One of Phil’s frat brothers who runs a program, Black Minds First Initiative that Carlton wants to get into.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 3 “Yamacraw”
Quotes & Gifs
Robert Lamonte (Ben Cain)
The reverend for the largest Black church in LA who is an Alpha like Phil, and unsure of supporting Phil, Mainly since Phil has focused more on monetary gain and status than supporting his brothers.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 3 “Yamacraw”
Quotes & Gifs
Joan (Wendy Davis)
Joan is Vivian’s biggest supporter regarding her art and is her sorority sister.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 3 “Yamacraw”
Quotes & Gifs
Fred Wilkes (Joe Holt)
The head of the Los Angeles police, Gayle’s husband, and Lisa’s father.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 4 “Canvass”
Quotes & Gifs
Reid (Michael Ealy)
Reid is a big name in the art gallery world who has a particular interest in Vivian and has for a long time.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 5 “PA to LA”
Quotes
Steven (Duane Martin)
Steven is Phil’s campaign manager.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 5 “PA to LA”
Quotes
Phanta (Aimee Li)
Phanta is a member of the influencer house Hillary joins whose expertise is luxury travel and a recently launched jewelry collection.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 5 “PA to LA”
Quotes
Monica (Andi René Christensen)
Monica is a member of the influencer house Hillary joins whose focus is being a sex-positive relationship counselor.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 5 “PA to LA”
- Terms (1.5): They go by them and they
Quotes
Jared (Christian Germany)
One half of the Blackass Brothers, he, alongside Nathan, are members of the influencer house Hillary joins, and their expertise is doing pranks and stunts.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 5 “PA to LA”
Quotes
Nathan (Tash Jordan)
One half of the Blackass Brothers, he, alongside Jared, are members of the influencer house Hillary joins, and their expertise is doing pranks and stunts.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 5 “PA to LA”
Quotes
Congressman Hannibal Turley (Michael Polak)
Congressman Turley is a local representative who is more of a moderate centrist politician who expects Phil to be just the same.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 5 “PA to LA”
Quotes
Kylo (Jon Beavers)
Kylo is part of the influencer house Hillary joins, and his specialty is men’s lifestyle brands, and within the last year, he has made over a million dollars in paid sponsorships and ad revenue.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 5 “PA to LA”
Quotes
Angela (Scottie Thompson)
Angela is an interior decorator, and Fred’s second wife, who he met at an LAPD golf tournament in 2018, a year before his wife, Gayle, died.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 6 “The Strength to Smile”
- Due Date? (1.6): Angela is two months from her due date
Quotes
Romario (Cristian Soto)
From South Los Angeles, Romario is a kid with a crush on Ashley, but he seemingly isn’t her type.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 6 “The Strength to Smile”
Quotes
Lucia (Rita Angel Taylor)
Lucia is one of Ashley’s friends that she met through a video game that lives in South Los Angeles. She also happens to be Ashley’s crush.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 6 “The Strength to Smile”
Quotes
Aisha (Nia Sondaya)
A member of the Bel-Air Academy’s Black Student Union, Aisha is pushed by Will to get to know Carlton when he co-hosts a party with him at his mansion.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 7 “Payback’s a B*tch”
Quotes
John (Daniel Kim)
John is a mutual friend of Carlton and Connor, who tries to have the two reconcile until he realizes Connor is a devout member of the church of racism and homo-aversion.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 7 “Payback’s a B*tch”
Quotes
Assemblyman Hernandez (Ricardo Molina)
Assemblyman Hernandez is a local democrat that Phil attempts to get an endorsement from, but because of how his endorsement could split the vote and him questioning Phil’s household, he doesn’t endorse him as a candidate.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 8 “No One Wins When The Family Feuds”
Quotes
Ivy (Karrueche Tran)
Ivy was Hillary’s older friend who she’d often see at church and is credited with teaching her how to do makeup.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 9 “Can’t Knock The Hustle”
- Following (1.9): Has 10.2 million followers
Quotes
Helen (Vernée Watson)
Is one half of the decision-making team at the Neeman Fellowship
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 9 “Can’t Knock The Hustle”
Quotes
Janice (Daphne Maxwell Reid)
Is one half of the decision-making team at the Neeman Fellowship
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 9 “Can’t Knock The Hustle”
Quotes
Judge Robertson (Dorian Harewood)
Judge Robertson is Phil’s former ally in his campaign for district attorney, who helped Will stay out of jail.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 9 “Can’t Knock The Hustle”
Quotes
Lou (Marlon Wayans)
Lou is Will’s father who had a tumultuous relationship with Vivian throughout their relationship and was told by Will that he abandoned them when he was barely 4 years old. The truth is, however, he was sentenced to jail for allegedly robbing an elderly man who owed him money, and being that Lou knows the feeling of seeing your father in prison, he didn’t want that for Will, so he instead stayed out of Will’s life – Including for the last 3 years he has been out of prison.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 1/ Episode 10 “Where To?”
- Where Are The Parents? (1.10): Lou’s father died in prison, and his mom died when he was 15
- Diploma? (1.10): The only thing we know is Lou dropped out of school at 19
Quotes
Rich folk always say the rest of us are being prideful whenever us common folk insist on holding on to our dignity.
— Lou (1.10)
J.B. (To Be Determined)
J.B. is an associate of Will’s from when he was living with Jazz, who hooked him up with local basketball competitions, so Will could make money.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Bel-Air: Season 2/ Episode 1 “A Fresh Start”
Quotes
Ms. Hughes (Tatyana Ali)
Ms. Hughes is Ashley’s teacher who gets in trouble for repeatedly handing out reading material outside of her school’s approved list.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Bel-Air: Season 2/ Episode 1 “A Fresh Start”
Quotes
Doc (Brooklyn McLinn)
Doc is the head of Zenith Hype, a private basketball team part of a notable league with the attention of college recruiters. Unfortunately, the price to get on Zenith Hype isn’t cheap.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Bel-Air: Season 2/ Episode 1 “A Fresh Start”
Quotes
Jackie (Jazlyn Martin)
Jackie is a dancer, and Doc’s niece, who becomes Will’s second girlfriend on “Bel-Air” after Lisa.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Bel-Air: Season 2/ Episode 1 “A Fresh Start”
Quotes
Yazmin (Riele Downs)
Yazmin is the president of Bel-Air Academy’s Black Student Union.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Bel-Air: Season 2/ Episode 1 “A Fresh Start”
Quotes
Drew (Nicholas Duvernay)
Drew is one of Carlton’s rivals, if not an outright enemy, who appears to be against him mainly due to the feelings he harbors for Lisa.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Bel-Air: Season 2/ Episode 1 “A Fresh Start”
Quotes
Kirk (Maxwell Ross)
Kirk is a member of the basketball team and the coach keeps pushing to be a star player.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Bel-Air: Season 2/ Episode 2 “Speaking Truth”
Quotes
Ms. Bassin (Shelley Robertson)
Ms. Bassin is one of the instructors at Bel-Air Academy with aspirations to move up in the academy to an administrative role.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Bel-Air: Season 2/ Episode 2 “Speaking Truth”
Quotes
Mr. Hartwig (Thomas Crawford)
The principal of Bel-Air Academy.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Bel-Air: Season 2/ Episode 3 “Compromised”
Quotes
Bilal (Reggie Gaskins)
Jazz’s father.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Bel-Air: Season 2/ Episode 4 “Don’t Kill My Vibe”
Quotes
Mrs. Ahmad (Ptosha Storey)
Jazz’s mother.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Bel-Air: Season 2/ Episode 4 “Don’t Kill My Vibe”
Quotes
James (Reno Wilson)
James is Phil’s partner at their shared law firm.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Bel-Air: Season 2/ Episode 4 “Don’t Kill My Vibe”
Quotes
LaMarcus (Justin Cornwell)
LaMarcus is Hillary’s ex-boyfriend, who is a famous football player.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Bel-Air: Season 2/ Episode 5 “Excellence Is Everywhere”
Quotes
Erika (Diandra Lyle)
Erika is a successful lawyer, Phil’s ex, and one of Vivian’s line sisters. But, they have beef due to Erika dating Phil while she and Phil were on a break.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Bel-Air: Season 2/ Episode 5 “Excellence Is Everywhere”
Quotes
Grandma Neta (Anna Maria Horsford)
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 2/ Episode 6 “Let The Best Man Win”
- The Actor Is Also Known For: in “”
Quotes
Julius (Bill Bellamy)
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 2/ Episode 6 “Let The Best Man Win”
- The Actor Is Also Known For: in “”
Quotes
- […] application is more important than theory. — Julius (2.6)
Uncle Earl (Cal Gibson)
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 2/ Episode 6 “Let The Best Man Win”
- The Actor Is Also Known For: in “”
Kyle (Amarr)
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 2/ Episode 6 “Let The Best Man Win”
- The Actor Is Also Known For: in “”
Frederick (Jovian Wade)
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 2/ Episode 7 “Under Pressure”
- The Actor Is Also Known For: in “”
Quotes
Olivia (Reagan Marum)
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 2/ Episode 8 “Pursuit of Happiness”
- The Actor Is Also Known For: in “”
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