Peacock Bel Air makes several changes to the original 1990 sitcom starring Will Smith. With Jabari Banks as Will Smith leading Bel AirWith the cast, the series follows the adventures of the new prince after moving from Philadelphia to Bel-Air. The reinvented version of Fresh Prince characters maintains the same premise as the original show, but makes some significant changes to the beloved sitcom.
Both series focus on Will, but have their own identities. Bel Air takes everything the public loves Fresh Prince and puts a new spin on it. Although Bel-Air managed to include some Fresh prince most important stories, not everything that happened in the original series will make it into the reboot, as Bel Air Season 4 is the last season.
10
Bel-Air is darker than Fresh Prince
A Grittier Reboot
THE Fresh Prince of Bel Air It's a sitcom, which explains why it has several light and funny moments. Bel-Air, on the other hand, it is a drama, so some parts of the show include dark elements. THE Fresh Prince reboot doesn't shy away from delving into subjects like mental health, drug addiction, complicated family dynamics, and complex romantic relationships.
While Fresh Prince highlights important subjects such as issues affecting the African-American community, racial tension, or why Wil's father was not a part of his life, Bel Air takes a deeper look at these themes due to the nature of the program. Bel Air being a dramatic reimagining of Fresh Prince allows you to explore subjects that the original sitcom couldn't spend much time on. The dramatization of the reboot also means that it's easier to see the growth the characters are going through, because although it has funny moments, it's not just for laughs.
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Ashley is bisexual in Bel-Air
LGBTQ+ representation
One of the most important changes Bel Air made in the 1990 sitcom is Ashley's sexual orientation. THE Fresh Prince and Bel-Air Ashley has several things in common. In Fresh PrinceAshley is a teenager who is going through growing pains, which is also the case for Bel Airversion of the character. They both enjoy music and have a close relationship with Will. However, there is a fundamental difference between them. Bel-Air Ashley has to deal with being a teenager and also learn to navigate her sexuality, as she is bisexual in the series.
Ashley coming out to Hilary was one of the best scenes in the series.
The difference between Ashley's sexuality in Bel Air and Fresh Prince it was one of the most significant changes the show made to the original series. Fresh Prince was created at a time when there wasn't much LGBTQ+ representation on television, with Bel AirAshley is adding a more grounded and realistic take on the show. Plus, Ashley coming out to Hilary was one of the best scenes in the series.
8
Jazz has more depth in Bel-Air
Complex character development
Fresh prince Jazz spent most of her time on the show being silly and hitting on Hilary whenever she got the chance. The characters on both shows have a lot in common, like their love of music and their sense of humor. However, Bel-Air Jazz is portrayed as being more casual and laid back compared to the original character.
Given the dramatic nature Bel AirJazz isn't just in the show as a joke. Instead, there's more to him than the guy Hilary Banks constantly rejects. Since Bel Air changes Hilary's story and personality, it turns out that the same would be true for Jazz because he ends up being a significant person in her life. This gives Jazz a chance to show that he is a multi-layered character rather than just Will's goofy friend.
7
Hilary is not superficial in Bel-Air
Beyond Materialism
Hilary is almost completely reinvented in Bel Air. The 1990s version of Hilary and the Hilary of 2022 have just one thing in common: they both have impeccable taste in fashion. The original show initially portrays Hilary as a self-centered, shallow college dropout. Bel-Air Hilary is a culinary influencer determined to follow her own path. The fact that Hilary was less self-centered paved the way for her character's growth in Bel Air.
She's more relatable because of how multidimensional she is. Although Hilary comes from money, her identity is not defined by her wealth. She struggles with relationships, future plans, and love like any twenty-something. The fact that she is able to understand that people are more than their social status is what makes it easier for her and Jazz to bond despite their different backgrounds.
6
Hilary and Jazz's relationship is better in Bel-Air
A more mature romance
Bel-Air gives Jazz and Hilary's relationship has a real chance of actually working. Fresh Prince sees Hilary always rejecting Jazz's advances and looking at him. However, Hilary, in Bel-Air, She is interested in Jazz and maintains an on-and-off relationship with him until she gets married.
The difference in the relationship between Jazz and Hilary in Bel Air and Fresh Prince talks about the changes in who they are on the shows. Jazz isn't just a goofy man chasing Hilary. And Hilary isn't just a self-centered socialite. The fact that Jazz is so different on the show is what makes Hilary see him in a romantic light. Since Hilary and Lamarcus' marriage could have a tragic ending, having Jazz as a serious love interest paves the way for them to be endgame given how well they adapt.
5
Bel-Air's Geoffrey is different from the Fresh Prince character
A more complex role
Fresh prince Geoffrey is famous for his one-liners, rudeness and hilarious encounters with the Banks. A fundamental change Bel Air What this does to Geoffrey's character is that he is a residential manager with mob ties and not a butler. He is portrayed as a dangerous character who will do anything to protect the people he cares about. However, his Britishness and love for the family he works for are the same in the 2022 show.
Geoffrey and Phil have a much closer relationship in the reboot than they did in the original. He acts more as Phil's confidant, with whom he strategizes, and less as an employee, and this makes his work dynamic.. The home manager's story creates an interesting subplot in the show that wasn't fully utilized in Bel Air. Geoffrey's ties to the mob are something that becomes an integral part of the premise of Bel-Air in the series' third season.
4
Will's story is further developed in Bel-Air
Exploring Trauma
Bel Air and Fresh Prince have the same premise, that Will moves to Bel-Air after getting into trouble in his neighborhood. Bel Air not only glosses over this part of the story, but investigates it. After his fight with a gang member ended up putting Will's life at risk, his mother sent him to live with his aunt and uncle.
The fact that Will's story is more detailed in Bel Air it helps the audience get to know the main character and what motivates him better. From the first episode of Bel Air focuses on why Will left Philadelphia, shows up close how he and Vy are doing, something the original series didn't have. It also explains why Bel-Air Will is more mature than his Fresh Prince counterpart, as he almost lost everything he had worked for because of one mistake.
3
Bel-Air has a love triangle
Complicated love
Interestingly, Bel Air includes a love triangle between Will, Lisa and Carlton. In the original series, Will and Lisa have a less complicated relationship than in Bel Air. In fact, Lisa doesn't appear Fresh Prince until the fifth season, while she is introduced very early Bel Air. Instead of Will and Lisa's relationship being portrayed in a way that doesn't make it as easy to see that they are endgame.
The love triangle also shows that the two cousins ​​are able to put their differences aside, as Carlton has moved on from Will and Lisa's relationship.
While the inclusion of a confusing love triangle may initially seem complicated Bel-Air story actually works well for the series, given how antagonistic Will and Carlton are towards each other. The fact that Will ends up with Carlton's ex-girlfriend gives him more reason to hate his cousin, since Will seemed to get everything Carlton wanted easily.. The love triangle also shows that the two cousins ​​are able to put their differences aside, as Carlton has moved on from Will and Lisa's relationship.
2
Carlton is more complex in Bel-Air
Beyond stereotypes
Bel Air makes several changes to Carlton that make him an unlikeable character. The Fresh Prince's Carlton is not popular at school and is unlucky in love. On the other hand, Bel-Air Carlton is popular, gets good grades, and is captain of the lacrosse team. Although Carlton and Will initially didn't get along on Fresh Prince, he didn't actively go out of his way to make his cousin's life miserable.
Bel-Air Carlton also struggles with Xanax addiction which causes him to harm his relationship with his family and his future college prospects. The changes Bel Air makes Carlton in the series make him a more complex character. While Alfonso Ribeiro's Carlton was fun to watch, it often lacked substance. Given what Carlton goes through in Bel-Air, makes it even easier to root for him as he figures out his life and he and Will learn to get along.
1
Will is more mature in Bel-Air
Growth and Maturity
Given that Fresh Prince is a sitcom, it makes sense that the main character of the series would be goofy. The Fresh Prince is just as charismatic and good with women as he was on the original show, but shows more respect to women in the reboot. However, Bel-Air Will has a level of maturity that his counterpart lacked. This may be because her story in the Peacock series is darker than in Fresh Prince.
Although Will struggles with many things after moving to Bel AirIt's his positive attitude and never-give-up spirit that makes him the best and most likable character in the series. Although he has moments when his anger overwhelms him, he still manages to show a level of maturity that goes beyond his years.