Bel-Air Finale: Creator On Will Smith’s Cameo & Fresh Prince Nostalgia

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This article contains spoilers from the Bel-Air series finale.

The final episode of the Bel-Air series has been released, and the show’s creator has spoken about the appearance of a character from the original Fresh Prince of Bel-Air – a moment fans were eagerly anticipating. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air originally ran for six seasons, from 1990 to 1996, and starred Will Smith, James Avery, Janet Hubert-Whitten, Daphne Maxwell Reid, Alfonso Ribeiro, Karyn Parsons, Tatyana M. Ali, Joseph Marcell, and Ross Bagley.

A dramatic remake called Bel-Air ran for four seasons on Peacock.

Following the final episode, series creator Morgan Cooper discussed the show’s ending and Will Smith’s surprise appearance with Entertainment Weekly. He described the day Smith filmed his cameo as “an unforgettable day on set.” According to Cooper, everyone working on the show was highly prepared and excited, as it promised to be a standout moment for the entire series.

That day on set was incredible. I arrived early and spent some time in the green room, feeling grateful for the opportunity to bring this series and this particular moment to life. I was really focused on preparation, making sure the scene conveyed exactly what we intended.

Cooper explained that seeing both versions of the Will Smith character together on screen was a special, long-awaited moment – the culmination of seven years of work. He first met Smith in 2019 while they were developing Bel-Air, making this a ‘full-circle’ experience for him.

Cooper described directing his hero in that scene as “a blessing,” and shared how proud he was of the final result. He was extremely pleased with the quality of work the team achieved.

Walking onto set, I was blown away by how prepared everyone was. Seeing Jabari and Will share the screen felt incredibly special – like things had come full circle after seven years of work. It actually reminded me of when I first met Will Smith back in 2019, down in Miami while we were developing the show. To be standing there, behind the camera, directing my personal hero… it was a real blessing, and I’m incredibly proud of the amazing work they both brought to the project.

Cooper directed four episodes of Bel-Air during the show’s four seasons, including the last two. This put him in charge when Will Smith filmed his guest appearance. Cooper described the day as an “amazing” experience, adding that Smith was fully prepared and delivered a fantastic performance.

I’d been hoping to work with Will for years, so getting to direct him in the show’s finale was an amazing opportunity. Everyone came prepared to do their best work, and they absolutely delivered.

The finale of Bel-Air featured appearances by Will Smith and other actors from the original Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, solidifying the show’s place within the franchise’s history.

Look, as Cooper explained it to me, those cameos weren’t just fan service—they were a genuine thank you. He and the whole team really wanted to show the audience, and more importantly, those actors, how much they appreciate the years of support that made this remake even possible. It was a way of saying ‘we love you’ and acknowledging that the film wouldn’t exist without them.

We include little nods and references throughout the show as a way of showing our appreciation for our audience. Everything we create comes from a place of genuine care and a focus on family – and we see our fans as part of that family. These moments aren’t just random; they’re heartfelt attempts to surprise and delight you, and to let you know we value your support.

Will Smith wasn’t the only star from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air to appear in the new Bel-Air series. Daphne Maxwell Reid, who took over the role of Vivian Banks in the original show, also had a part as a character named Janice during the first two seasons of the reboot.

Vivian’s former co-star, Hubert, also showed up and actually delivered the baby for the actress playing Aunt Viv on the Bel-Air reboot – a really special moment! Cooper said working with Hubert was a “dream come true.” Vernee Watson-Johnson, who played Vy on Fresh Prince, and Joseph Marcell, who played Geoffrey the butler, were also there.

The popular show The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air featured Will Smith as a teenager from Philadelphia who moved to live with his relatives in California. The recent reimagining of the series, Bel-Air, used a similar storyline, with Jabari Banks taking on the lead role. The cast also included Cassandra Freeman, Jimmy Akingbola, Olly Sholotan, Coco Jones, Akira Akbar, Simone Joy Jones, Jordan L. Jones, and Adrian Holmes.

Bel-Air started as a short, dramatic reimagining of The Fresh Prince, created by Cooper as a fan film. Years later, he’s incredibly proud and grateful that his original idea has now become a full series.

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2025-12-09 21:50