TV Review: ‘Bel-Air’ Season 3

Jabari Banks as Will in season 3 of ‘Bell-Air’. Photo: Greg Gayne/Peacock.

Returning to Peacock for its third season on Thursday, August 15th with three episodes, ‘Bel-Air’ continues to answer the question “can a show that began life as a goof on the idea of a dramatic re-interpretation of a classic sitcom work on its own terms” with a qualified “yes!”

This impressively staged series still somehow manages to turn the basic concept of comedy series ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’ (yes, the show that gave Will Smith his start; the movie star is among the current series’ producers) into a show laden with melodrama and family interaction. And while there are still issues balancing it all out, it’s a watchable fresh take on the idea.

Does ‘Bel-Air’ Season 3 have fresh appeal?

(L to R) Olly Sholotan as Carlton, Jabari Banks as Will in season 3 of ‘Bell-Air’. Photo: Greg Gayne/Peacock.

Originally created as a trailer by Morgan Cooper that gave ‘The Fresh Prince’ idea a moody, dramatic make-over, the show as it stands tweaked that –– though it certainly handles some tough subjects (addiction, estranged parents, difficult relationships among them), ‘Bel-Air’ doesn’t only lean into the darker sides of the story, there’s room for comedy too, with Jabari Banks as the main Will Smith character providing the charm and chuckles as he continues to try and make life work in the glitzy environs of Bel-Air as a street kid from West Philadelphia.

He might be born and raised elsewhere, but Will still finds a way to make his way among the rich and powerful, bringing his sports experience along for the ride.

‘Bel Air’ Season 3: Script and Direction

(L to R) Olly Sholotan as Carlton, Cassandra Freeman as Vivian, Adrian Holmes as Philip in season 3 of ‘Bell-Air’. Photo: Greg Gayne/Peacock.

Co-showrunners Carla Banks-Waddles, T.J. Brady and Rasheed Newson aren’t looking to change too much up in this third season, largely keeping the various stories cooking. Among them? Will’s attempt to become more successful off the basketball court, his cousin Carlton Banks’ (Olly Sholotan) experiences following rehab for narcotics addiction, Carlton’s sister Hillary (Coco Jones) balancing her love life with her career as an influencer and the Banks kids’ parents Philip (Adrian Holmes) and Vivian (Cassandra Freeman) dealing with their own issues, which in this third season, includes the freshly raised specter of infidelity.

The issues stem from the fact that they’re not the only characters the show must juggle –– there is also the likes of trusted advisor/fixer Geoffrey Thompson (played by Jimmy Akingbola) and his own plot about having his estranged son visit and how that ties into his British gangland past. Will’s friend Jazz and his financial troubles with his record store, and various significant others for the younger characters. All that means the likes of younger Banks sibling Ashley (Akira Akbar), at least in the early going, is mostly overlooked.

The directing team, including John Scott and Keesha Sharp, keep things looking good –– obviously the demands of a streaming service in the 2020s something quite different from those of a multi-cam 1990s sitcom. While there’s plenty of pressure in portraying the trappings of a wealthy family, the seams rarely show (one egregious example is in one episode of the new season set in “Downtown LA” that is so clearly a studio backlot).

‘Bel-Air’ Season 3: Performances

(L to R) Olly Sholotan as Carlton, Justin Cornwell as Lamarcus, Cassandra Freeman as Vivian, Adrian Holmes as Philip, Coco Jones as Hilary, Akira Akbar as Ashley, Simone Joy Jones as Lisa, Jabari Banks as Will in season 3 of ‘Bell-Air’. Photo: Travis Ellison/Peacock.

As we mentioned previously, ‘Bel-Air’ has a big cast, and they’re not all given big enough storylines to get their teeth into, but they’re still solid performers.

Jabari Banks as Will smith

Banks carries the lion’s share of the story and has proved to be a charismatic performer who channels Smith’s likeability in the role, even as he’s handed a more dramatic storyline. Certain more complicated emotions sometimes seem to be beyond his range, but he’s generally a watchable anchor for the show.

Olly Sholotan as Carlton Banks

Where Carlton on the original series was a figure of fun known for his silly dress sense and an awkward dance named after him, ‘Bel-Air’s take is much more serious, driven by ambition and haunted by personal demons. Sholotan is more than up to the task, bringing a believable sheen to his character.

(L to R) Adrian Holmes as Phil, Jimmy Akingbola as Geoffrey in season 3 of ‘Bell-Air’. Photo: Greg Gayne/Peacock.

Jimmy Akingbola as Geoffrey Thompson

Much as with the Carlton character, the Geoffrey of the original was mostly the delivery service for witty, sarcastic humor and commentary. For ‘Bel-Air’, he’s more likely to be found investigating criminal behavior or being handy with his fists (when called upon). Like the sitcom’s version, Geoffrey is more a supporting role, but Akingbola’s such a likeably charming performer that he makes the most of it.

Other notable characters

The rest of the Banks family all have their part to play –– parents Philip and Vivian are brought more into the dramatic side of things this season with worries over their careers and the stability of their marriage, and they’re both more than up to the task. The characters of Hilary and Ashley are largely siloed in their own stories, but they have some fun moments.

‘Bel-Air’ Season 3: Final Thoughts

Jabari Banks as Will in season 3 of ‘Bell-Air’. Photo: Travis Ellison/Peacock.

‘Bel-Air’ is that rare example of a high-concept idea that has turned into an impressive show that can stand on its own.

This third season certainly shows a few growing pains –– as the ensemble has expanded, the struggle to give everyone a spot in the valuable narrative real estate becomes more and more real. And certain storylines do suffer from relatively quick wrap ups; situations can seem tough and dramatic one moment, only to be swiftly solved a couple of episodes later. Still, ‘Bel-Air’ rules where it needs to.

‘Bel-Air’ Season 3 receives 7 out of 10 stars.

“Live by your own rules.”

TV-MA3 SeasonsFebruary 13th, 2022

What’s the story of ‘Bel-Air’ Season 3?

In the third season of ‘Bel-Air’, school’s out for the summer, and Will (Jabari Banks) is doing Bel-Air his way. Being a part of the Banks family has given him a new perspective –– it isn’t just about wealth; it means that Will now has options to lean into other things that excite him and has the privilege to dream bigger. As Will makes an exciting pivot, he finds a partner in Carlton (Olly Sholotan), who desperately wants to leave his life of addiction behind and rebuild his damaged reputation. And while the dynamic duo has a lot of exciting wins, working together also reveals fundamental differences in their backgrounds and worldviews. Can a partnership of such extremes work?

Pressure at work and home will also pose challenges for Viv (Cassandra Freeman) and Phil (Adrian Holmes). How does a couple hold strong when their lives are at sea? Hilary’s (Coco Jones) romantic journey with LaMarcus (Justin Cornwell) will face some shocking hurdles, and Ashley’s (Akira Akbar) views on romance will start to blossom as she comes of age the summer before she starts high school, and Geoffrey’s (Jimmy Akingbola) London past will come a little too close to home.

Who is in the cast of ‘Bel-Air’ Season 3?

‘Bel-Air’s cast includes Jabari Banks, Adrian Holmes, Cassandra Freeman, Olly Sholotan, Coco Jones, Akira Akbar, Jimmy Akingbola, Jordan L. Jones and Simone Joy Jones.