Peacock gives Morgan Cooper’s Bel-Air a two-season commitment

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

Peacock announced on Tuesday that they're granting a two-season order to the planned drama series reboot of the classic sitcom Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Will Smith made the announcement himself via YouTube, confirming that Morgan Cooper's reimagined take on the NBC comedy series is about to become much more than just another viral video on the internet.

"We have just officially closed the deal with Peacock with an unprecedented two-season order, from a pitch. I've been in the business for thirty years and that does not happen," Smith revealed to Bel Air writer/director Morgan Cooper and Bel Air writer/executive producer Chris Collins in the video. "They ordered two full seasons of Bel-Air based on the quality of the pitch and the work that you guys have done. I want to say congratulations! I am hyped!"

You can watch Will Smith's reveal video in full below:

As the video plays on, Smith continues to share his excitement for Cooper's Bel-Air, saying that he can't wait to see how certain characters are portrayed for today's current socio-political climate. "The Carlton character a black, young Republican? The heat that would be stirred up between these characters. What's the Hilary character in a world of Instagram and social media? What does that become?"

Morgan Cooper will be returning to direct and co-executive produce the Bel-Air series, which he will be co-writing and co-executive producing with Chris Collins (The Man in the High Castle). Collins will also serve as showrunner on Bel-Air, which will be set in modern-day America and explore the drama behind the "complicated journey from the streets of West Philadelphia to the gated mansions of Bel-Air." The reimagining will "dive deeper into the inherent conflicts, emotions and biases that were impossible to fully explore in a 30-minute sitcom format, while still delivering swagger and fun nods to the original show." Meanwhile, Smith will executive produce through his Westbrook Studios with Quincy Jones, Benny Medina, and original series creators Andy and Susan Borowitz. Miguel Melendez and Westbrook Studios’ Terence Carter will also executive produce.