Exclusive: Will Smith Applauds ‘Bel-Air’ Star Jabari Banks for Reinventing The ‘Fresh Prince’ Character: “He Paid Homage And Added His Flare” [Video]

Usually, when a show hits its third season, all the stops are pulled out as the series is entering its peak – that’s exactly what the Peacock original, Bel-Air, is doing for its upcoming season. 

Unlike the original series, the reimagined version of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air takes place during the summertime, with antics even spicier than what we see during the school year. With so many twists and turns, Carlton and Will, played by series regulars Jabari Banks and Olly Sholotan, are giving viewers a run for their money as they embark on new chapters in their lives that could make or break them.

Baller Alert caught up with executive producer Will Smith, who praised Banks for reinventing the role of Will in this new take on the iconic series.

“With Jabari and the entire cast, that was a really tough shot to reimagine The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” he began.

“There were heavy shoes to fill for each member of this cast. Jabari was able to step in, pay homage, and add his own flair, confidently making the role his own. That was artistic miraculousness.”

You can watch the full interviews with the cast and crew below.

Bel-Air season 3 premieres Thursday, August 15.