Bel-Air showrunner addresses the abrupt exit of one of the show's main cast ahead of the Season 4 release

Bel-Air season 4 has brought with it a dash of drama on-screen and off.

Hilary Banks, played by Coco Jones, left Bel-Air in the 4th season, puzzling many fans. Now, showrunner Carla Banks-Waddles has recently opened up on why Hilary steps away so abruptly, and whether viewers should expect her return.

Hilary’s departure happens early in the season when the social media star takes a trip to Costa Rica, where her late husband, Lamarcus, had been involved in humanitarian work. The exit move comes off as sudden and unexpected, as the character was still dealing with grief. It also adds a heavy emotional note to a season already full of tension, change, and family pressure.

Bel-Air showrunner addresses the abrupt exit of one of the show's main cast

Speaking to TVLine, Banks-Waddles expressed his view on the exit. She said that the decision was not entirely based on the story. Coco Jones’ schedule played a major role. Drawing attention to the Grammy-winning singer-songwriter’s availability as one of the reasons behind the sudden exit.

During the final season’s filming, this made it difficult to keep her as a full-time cast member. Still, the showrunner stressed that Jones remained committed to returning whenever she could.

Banks Waddles added,

"Hilary is a big part of the Banks family, and we will definitely see her throughout the season. Coco Jones is just busy. She's a Grammy-winning musical artist. So we had to work around her schedule, which we were happy to do, because we support her and all of her beautiful dreams. She was very much committed to being a part of the season. We just needed to fit her in where we could get her."

"She'll definitely be a big part of the back half of the season. So don't say goodbye to Hilary completely!"

Within the story, Hilary’s exit aligns with her emotional arc in the show. She is still mourning Lamarcus, and she carries guilt about his death. Leaving for Costa Rica becomes her therapeutic escape for some time away. The exit gives Jones the space she needed in real life and lets the reel-life character also reach a conclusion.

Where did Season 4 Episode 3 leave Hilary off in Bel-Air

Although Hilary spends the first few episodes away from Bel-Air, she is not removed from the family. In episode 3, she checks in with Aunt Viv through FaceTime and explains that she won’t make it home for Thanksgiving. Even though the appearance is brief, the show makes sure her presence impacts the story in a meaningful way.

Hilary's arc forms one of the major emotional pillars in the show. Now, after three seasons, Bel-Air finally reaches its end with Season 4. With five episodes left until the season finale, the Banks family's story continues the drama.

However, the major cast exit of Coco Jones who has previously featured in works like Disney's Let It Shine as Roxxie, and in Netflix's horror comedy Vampires vs. the Bronx (2020), may now have a lesser screen presence and her final fate is yet to be known.

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Bel-Air season 4 drops new episodes every Monday on Peacock.

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