Bel-Airis confirmed to be coming to an end with a fourth and final season, but the series now has the opportunity to avoid a major issue that other modern reboots and remakes have faced. The Peacock series is a reimagining of the classic ‘1990s sitcom starring Will Smith that ran from 1990 to 1996, as Will is sent from West Philadelphia to live with his wealthy relative. The series reimagines the story as a drama, with Jabari Banks leading theBel-Aircast.
After series producer Morgan Cooper’s fan film gained traction online in 2019, the project caught the eye of Smith, who expressed a desire to make the pitch a reality. The production began in August 2020, andBel-Airwas acquired by Peacock with an initial two-season order, with the third season being ordered after the fourth episode of season 2 aired in March 2023. However, after season 3 concluded in September 2024,Bel-Airwas renewed for a fourth seasonin the following December, though it was also confirmed that the season would bring the reimagining to a close.
Bel-Air Being Renewed For A Final Season Means It Gets To Have A Proper Ending
Bel-Air’s Creators Can Plan A Proper Conclusion
WhileBel-Airmay be coming to a close, there is a positive aspect to the series’ length being clearly communicated ahead of the final season entering production. With confirmation that Bel-Air will be coming to a close alongside its season 4 renewal,Cooper, Malcolm Spellman, and current showrunner Carla Banks-Waddles can properly plan ahead to ensure that the season can resolve all lingering plot threadsand give the cast a fitting conclusion.
Though this may seem like a basic expectation for a final season, other recent remakes and reboots on television were not as lucky.Bel-Airhas the chance of properly wrapping things up and having as good of a series finale asThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Airhad in 1996.
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However, this practice has not always progressed as studios may have hoped. WhileThe Wonder Yearswas able to run for two seasons with a generally positive reception before being cancelled,Cruel Intentionsreceived middling reviews and was brought to a close after its initial season concluded, despite the creators hinting towards a multi-season storyline. In other words, even something more positively received, likeThe Wonder Years, does not always get the ending it deserves.
Bel-Air’s Finale Will Have To Be Very Different From The Fresh Prince’s Original Ending
The Series Will Not Meet Its Original Run’s Length
WhileBel-Airwill be able to construct a fitting ending, knowing that season 4 is the conclusion, that doesn’t mean that the series will be free of challenges. The originalFresh Prince of Bel-Airran for six seasons across 148 episodes, whereas, shouldBel-Airreceive another 10 episodes for its final season, it will have only run for 40 episodes,less than a third of the original series. As such,Bel-Airmay not be able to cover every original development of the Banks' lives.
Of course,Bel-Airhas never been beholden to how events unfolded in the originalFresh Prince of Bel-Airwhen it came to the stories it adapted. Season 1 covered Will’s struggles with his father, and season 3 covered Geoffrey’s (Jimmy Akimgbo) estranged family, far earlier than when either story occurred in the original series' latter half. Therefore,Bel-Airwill likely narrow down which stories are the most iconic out of what is left.
