Bel-Air star Jimmy Akingbola understands why some fans of The Fresh Prince are upset about the show's reboot.
Speaking exclusively to TechRadar ahead of the Peacock series premiere on Sunday, February 13, Akingbola said he supported the views of Fresh Prince fans, especially those unhappy with the remake.
Bel-Air, a dramatic 2020st century reboot of the beloved sitcom starring Will Smith, has divided the Fresh Prince fanbase since its announcement in August XNUMX. Fans had a lot to say about the first trailer for the series, which arrived in early January, when the show's critical reception was mixed.
In our review, we said that "fans will wonder why Bel-Air was created" and that it is "so inextricably linked to The Fresh Prince that comparisons are inevitable, so much so that it's simply impossible to criticize it otherwise." ".
Akingbola, who plays a reimagined version of the Banks family's wry butler Geoffrey in the reboot, is aware that Bel-Air won't be to everyone's taste. However, the Arrow star believes that fans shouldn't consider Bel-Air a meaningless remake without seeing it first.
"I understand the negative opinions because The Fresh Prince is very valuable to everyone," he admitted. "But I know that Bel-Air was created with love and respect, and with the blessing of Will Smith. I didn't mind being in it because the only way to make The Fresh Prince in 2022 is as a one-hour drama. Our series will be deeply nostalgic but completely new and fresh, but we will stay true to the original premise."
While the basic premise of The Fresh Prince has moved to Bel-Air, there are plenty of notable changes throughout. Geoffrey, who was played by Joseph Marcell in the original series, is no longer just the Banks family butler. In Bel-Air, Geoffrey is the head of the family and a close confidant of Uncle Phil (Adrian Holmes), but he is also a multifaceted character with his own intriguing backstory.
It's this kind of reinvention, especially one that speaks to the authentic black British experience, that sets Bel-Air apart from its iconic predecessor, according to Akingbola. Not only that, but he hopes Bel-Air's realistic black relationships will strike a chord with viewers and, in particular, change the way bonds between black men are viewed.
"Joseph and I have talked a lot about his place in the family and how important it is to me to represent the black British community in an authentic way," said Akingbola. "I always think about representing the black British experience and my community, even when I'm working in the UK, so I'm really excited to show American audiences a side of us that's rarely seen on TV.
"Geoffrey and Uncle Phil's relationship in Bel-Air makes them look more like brothers going back a long way, which is beautiful to see and very different from the original. It's important for black youth to see positive brotherly camaraderie and genuine and a masculinity between them. Black men on the screen. Sadly there still isn't enough of him on TV and film, but over the next couple of seasons I hope Geoffrey will be accessible to as many people in the UK and US as our series is a celebration of the spectrum. full of the black community.
Bel-Air will launch on Peacock on Sunday February 13 in the US and on Sky/Now TV in the UK on Monday February 14.