One of the key characters in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air lands a recurring role in Season 2 of the classic sitcom’s Peacock remake, Bel-Air.

A familiar Banks family member for viewers of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air will feature in Season 2 of its award-winning remake, Bel-Air, which premieres next month.

Peacock released Bel-Air‘s latest trailer on Jan. 19 ahead of Season 2’s release, confirming that Tatyana Ali, who played Ashley Banks on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, will play a recurring role on the show. Ali makes an appearance midway through the trailer, having a heart-to-heart conversation with Akira Akbar’s Ashley Banks in the hallway at Bel-Air Academy, saying, “never, ever let anyone try to change you.” The actor/singer plays Mrs. Hughes in Season 2, an English Literature teacher who often supports the 12-year-old Ashley and provides her with books from her special collection.

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Ali is the third member of the original The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air cast to feature on the spinoff series after Daphne Maxwell Reid and Vernee Watson-Johnson made guest appearances in Season 1. Reid, who played Vivian Banks during the 90s sitcom, played an Art Council board member named Janet. Meanwhile, Watson-Johnson, who was Will Smith’s mother Viola ‘Vy’ Smith in the original show, featured as a fellow Art Council board member named Helen. Watson-Johnson is also known for her role as Gloria in the CBS comedy Bob Hearts Abishola.

Will and the Banks Family Face New Challenges

As revealed by the trailer, Bel-Air Season 2 mainly focuses on Will’s struggle to move on from the issues that landed him in Bel-Air initially, including getting into physical altercations and interacting with some questionable company. The Season 1 finale saw Will’s distrust of his aunt and uncle reach peak levels after their dishonesty about his father, leading Will to try and make it on his own as he distances himself from his family. While making money playing street basketball, he encounters a professional basketball scout who promises to improve his game if they work together privately, though Will has doubts about their relationship.

Bel-Air Season 2 also explores Carlton’s struggle with social anxiety and identity, eventually ending up in fights as he wonders why people don’t look past his mistakes. Furthermore, the upcoming season examines the tension between Phil and Vivian as their professional lives cause issues with their marriage while Hillary Banks’ influencer career reaches new heights. Meanwhile, the Banks family tries to deal with their mounting problems as they struggle to cope with Will’s absence from home.

RELATED: Bel-Air Reveals Season 2 Premiere Date With a Dramatic Teaser Trailer

Bel-Air, which was created after a viral trailer by Morgan Cooper caught the eye of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air star Will Smith, has been a critical success. The series received three nominations at the 2022 BET Awards and won the Outstanding Drama Series honor at the Black Reel Awards. Jabari Banks reprises his role as Will Smith in Season 2, while Olly Sholotan (Carlton Banks), Adrian Holmes (Philip Banks), Cassandra Freeman (Vivian Banks) and Coco Jones (Hilary Banks) also star in the show. Bel-Air Season 2 was confirmed last November with a teaser trailer.

Viewers can stream the upcoming season of Bel-Air via Peacock when it premieres on Feb. 23.

Source: YouTube