Bel-Air Star Jabari Banks Opens Up About Emotional Last Day on Set and Calls Will Smith His "Guiding Force"

Bel-Air has reached its last chapter and the protagonist Jabari Banks is reflecting on a memorable journey. The Peacock show which reimagined the classic '90s sitcom as a modern drama, wraps up with its fourth season premiering on November 24.

For three years, Banks has brought Will to life in a portrayal that Will Smith made iconic years ago. The experience has been transformative, both personally and professionally.

The last day on set was filled with strong sentiments. Jabari Banks shared:

"There were a lot of tears and reminiscing. It's like graduating high school. When it's time to say goodbye, it sucks."

The show successfully balanced fresh storytelling with a touch of nostalgia. It preserved the family dynamics and humor from the original while also incorporating themes of mental health, class disparity and identity. This approach set Bel-Air apart from other spin-offs that often fail to capture what made the original so popular.

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A guiding force behind the scenes of Bel-Air

Working alongside Will Smith has been very helpful for Jabari Banks. He explained:

"He's been a guiding force and light throughout this whole experience. "We rarely talk about the character, but we've talked about the industry and my career. That's been the most impactful conversation that I've had with him."

The series originated from creator Morgan Cooper's viral trailer. His quirky imagination gained several views and caught Smith's attention within 24 hours. Cooper's vision transformed the show into an hour-long drama that could examine complex issues with depth.

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Final season struggles of Bel-Air

Season 4 finds Will dealing with trauma after being kidnapped. He struggles to process what happened to him. Banks commented:

"Will is a very spontaneous, hot-headed guy, but also a protector of his family,"

Rather than looking for help, Will looks for his kidnappers and Geoffrey, the family butler whose past resulted in the abduction. One strong scene displays Carlton and Will destroying the kidnapper's car with a baseball bat. Banks explained:

"Smashing the car was a representation of him taking his power back and a release of pent-up emotions,".

The moment demonstrates Will's urge for control after feeling helpless.

Carlton's joining this act of rebellion surprised the audience. He genuinely follows rules and respects authority. But their relationship has evolved from enemies to brotherhood throughout the show. Banks shared:

"The biggest lesson of Will and Carlton is seeing someone else's perspective and taking the time to get to know someone even if you don't agree with their standpoint on certain things."

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Celebrity cameos and special moments in Bel-Air

The final season features guest appearances by seasoned actors. Tyar Banks, Janet Hubert, and Snoop Dogg all join Bel-Air for its farewell. Banks was impressed after working with Snoop Dogg and commented on the same:

"He was super cool, chill, friendly and personable. He had a two-page monologue and didn't skip a word. That was dope to see his level of professionalism."

Marlon Wayans comes back as Loy, Will's father. Their narrative reaches a touching milestone when Will calls him dad for the first time. Banks explained:

"He [Will] never had the opportunity to say that word. As he and Lou are getting closer, it slips out. It signifies comfort and an openness that Will is starting to have with his father, which is a beautiful thing."

Additionally, Wayans mentored Banks off-camera. Banks said:

"He plays my father, but he definitely feels like an older brother. Whether we talk about the show or life, he has taken me under his wing."

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A Lasting Impact on Bel-Air

As Jabari Banks bids farewell to Will, he feels grateful for the fan response. He noted:

"There are so many people of different ages and demographics that love it,".It's beautiful to see that we can bring communities together with a shared love for television and culture. I'm super happy that fans love the show."

Bel-Air proved that reboots can honor the original while creating something substantial and new for present-day viewers. Jabari Banks leaves Bel-Air with memories that will stay a lifetime and lessons that will shape his life ahead.

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