Bel-Airhas reimagined a lot ofFresh Prince of Bel-Aircharacters, but a few important names from the original show have yet to return. Before he gave aliens a warm welcome to earthWill Smith began his careerin the hugely successfulThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. The comedy series took on the typical fish-out-of-water scenario and ran for six seasons from 1990 to 1996, making Smith a global star in the process but also including a lot of other great characters played by great actors.
The show was iconic for many reasons; Will Smith’s charismatic persona was infectious, and it featured laughs, dramatic storylines, plus a roster of very memorable characters. When a more dramatic spin-off, titledBel-Air, was released in 2022, fans of the original series were curious about which characters would be making a return.Bel-Airalways has two options regarding cameos and special appearances–either reimagine and recast a Fresh Prince character or bring an actor from the original show as an entirely different character. Plenty ofFresh Princecharacters and actors have returnedalready, but some are still missing.
10Coach Smiley
Originally Played By Dave Florek
One of the funniest, and most beloved side characters fromFresh Prince,was Bel-Air Academy’s history and basketball teacher, Coach Smiley. He first appeared in the season 1 episode “Courting Disaster” when he recruited Will for his flailing basketball team.Will’s relationship with Coach Smiley is a key element of the original series and could make for some compelling stories inBel-Air.
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WhileBel-Airfeatures Doc Hightower, a basketball recruiter and AAU coach, season 4 would no doubt benefit from the inclusion of a tenacious and funny character such as Coach Smiley. In the show, Hightower is found to have taken bribes from colleges and agents, so the inclusion of Coach Smiley would be a great Easter egg for fans, and would also add some dramatic conflict to the series.
9Dee Dee Williams
Originally Played By Queen Latifah
Sadly, some of the best characters fromThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Aironly appeared in a solitary episode, and that’s the case with Dee Dee Williams, played by Queen Latifah in the season 2 episode, “She Ain’t Heavy”. It wasn’t the first time Latifah was on the show, as she also played a small role as Marissa Redmond in season 1’s “Working it Out”. However,Dee Dee is arguably Will’s most unforgettable short-lived love interest.
The timing could be perfect then for her to make an appearance inBel-Air.
Dee Dee should have become a recurring character in the original series.The timing could be perfect then for her to make an appearance inBel-Air. Will has several love interests already, but the inclusion of a character with such a large personality as Dee Dee would add an extra spark to Will’s arc. That is if he escapes being kidnapped after the events ofBel-Airseason 3’s finale.
8Top Dog
Originally Played By Glenn Plummer
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Airwould often introduce narratives with a heavy dose of dramatic weight and conflict.One character who was at the center of such storylines was Top Dog. He only appeared in season 4’s “Blood is Thicker Than Mud,” but his introduction left a lasting impression on the series, playing the headstrong former president of the Phi Beta Gamma fraternity who recruits Will and Carlton.
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Carlton in Bel-Air is very different from and much more villainous than his counterpart in the hit ’90s sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
Top Dog’s appearance may have been short-lived, but the tension he brought to the episode is key, making Cartlon’s life a misery due to his jealousy over his Beverly Hills mansion, and wealthy upbringing.Racial tensions play a prominent role inBel-Air,and the inclusion of a character such as Top Dog would give Cartlon’s arc in the show extra impetus. It would also provide fans with a returning character who is memorable, but not necessarily liked.
7Janice Robertson
Originally Played By Pam Grier
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Airhad some cameos by a series of celebrities, across all of its six seasons. One of the very best was undoubtedly Janice Robertson, played by the legendary 70s movie star, Pam Grier. TheCoffyactress only appears in the Season 4 episode “M is for the Many Things She Gave Me”, as a manipulative old college flame of Phillip Banks who seduces Will in her hotel room.
Janice drives a wedge between several characters in the original series, acting like a femme fatale and using her sexuality to get what she wants.
This dynamic would add an extra layer toBel-Air, and although Will isn’t short of love interests in the show, introducing one as feisty as Janice would be intriguing.IfBel-Airdoes come calling, Pam Grier is still very active, having starred in the anthology horror seriesThem,as well as lending her voice toBob’s Burgersvery recently.
6Trevor Collins-Newsworthy
Originally Played By Brian Stokes Mitchell
One of the funniest, and most tragic, moments of the original series, was when Hilary witnessed her boyfriend, Trevor, fall to his death while bungee jumping on live television.The character first appeared in the season 3 episode “Hilary Gets a Job” and made further appearances before his untimely demise at the beginning of season 4.
Trevor’s death in the original show had a huge impact on Hilary and was the main reason why Will and Carlton wound up living in the pool house, as Hilary couldn’t bear to be in the same places where Trevor used to be. Hilary has a complicated love life inBel-Air, including a relationship with Jazz, much like in the original show.Trevor was such an iconic part of the 90s series that his appearance in season 4 would be great for fans of both shows.
5Janet Townes
Originally Played By Vivaca. A. Fox
Another great performer who had one of her early breakout roles inThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,wasKill Billstar Vivica.A. Fox, playing the no-nonsense Janet. Although she only appeared in season 1’s “It Had to Be You”, her role opposite Will Smith is great, and watching her run rings around the poor love-struck guy is hilarious.
After Will attempts to win her over, he pushes the feisty lady towards Cartlon, who surprisingly wins her over.
Janet’s character would fit intoBel-Airmuch the same way as she did in the original show.After Will attempts to win her over, he pushes the feisty lady towards Cartlon, who surprisingly wins her over. There’s already a complicated love triangle involving Will, Carlton, and Lisa, and the introduction of another equally headstrong female character would add a superb extra dynamic to the series. Plus, Vivica A. Fox is active and involved in multiple projects.
4Tyriq Johnson
Originally Played By Perry Moore
The friendships that Will makes during bothThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Airand its spin-off,Bel-Air, are key to the longevity of both shows.He forms a close bond with Carlton, despite their obvious differences, and his best friend Jazz also gets a lot of air time in the original, mostly by being thrown out of the front door by Uncle Phil. Another character of who Will is a close friend is Tyriq Johnson.
The somewhat dim-witted Tyriq is the third leg in the relationship between Will, Carlton, and himself, so adding this comedic dynamic to the more seriousBel-Airwould work well.
Unfortunately,Tyriq did not get afitting end to his appearance inThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, so the introduction of the character inBel-Airwould not only add another cool Easter egg for fans, it also give him some closure overall.The somewhat dim-witted Tyriq is the third leg in the relationship between Will, Carlton, and himself, so adding this comedic dynamic to the more seriousBel-Airwould work well.
3Michelle Michaels
Originally Played By Stacey Dash
Another character who makes a lasting impression is the singer and musician Michelle Michaels, who appears in the Season 4 episode, “When You Hit Upon a Star”.Although her appearance is fleeting, Will’s infatuation with Michelle is an important learning curve for the character in the fourth season. It also further cements his bond with Uncle Phil, whose fatherly advice is a recurring, emotional anchor for Will.
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Actor Stacy Dash will be recognizable to fans of the original series, and she has also appeared in many other memorable roles in her career, including a great role inCluelessin 1995.WhatBel-Airmanages to have done so well in its first three seasons, is to establish its female stars with good character arcs.While it may not need more to add to its already full roster, if Dash was persuaded to return, it would be interesting to see her as a different character in addition to the inclusion of Michelle Michaels.
2Cindy
Originally Played By Lark Voorhies
When Cindy is introduced in season 3’s “Mama’s Baby, Carlton’s Maybe” her appearance causes tension around the Banks' Beverly Hills mansion. Lark Voorhies plays Carlton’s former girlfriend, and her arrival with a baby called Carlton Jr is one of the show’s more important episodes. It brings some emotional turmoil for Carlton, alongside the usual humorous teasing from Will.
At the end of Season 3 ofBel-Air,it’s revealed that Aunt Viv is pregnant, which, along with Will’s kidnapping, leaves somemajor season 3 cliffhangers onBel-Airleft open for what fans will hopefully see if season 4 happens.If Cindy makes a return to the show, it would offer another intriguing addition to the cast, especially if the showrunners introduce her pregnancy plot-line to go alongside Aunt Viv and her own impending motherhood.
1Nicky Banks
Originally Played By Ross Bagley
One of the most touching, humorous, and memorable additions to the original series in the 90s was the introduction of Will’s cousin Nicky.Or, to give him his full name; Nicholas Andrew Michael Shawn Nathan Wanya “Nicky” Banks. His relationship with Will became the beating heart of the series after he was introduced towards the end of the third season.
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Some of the bestFresh Prince of Bel-Aircharacters have already made a return inBel-Air’sremake, and one of the most notable omissions, aside from Will Smith himself, is undoubtedly Nicky. Actor Ross Bagley is now 35 years old, and it could be interesting to have him return on the show too in addition to the inclusion ofBel-Air’s version of Nicky.
Bel-Air
Cast
A gritty and more grounded reimagining of the ’90s sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Bel-Air stars Jabari Banks as Will Smith. After falling afoul of a drug lord and his gang in his native West Philadelphia, Will Smith moves to a gated community in Bel-Air with his wealthy Aunt Vivian (Cassandra Freeman) and Uncle Phil (Adrian Holmes). Not only must Will adjust to his new environment, but he’s also forced to deal with his past in order to embrace his future.
