The emotional trailer for the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air reunion show features the entire cast and teases the return of the original Aunt Viv, actress Janet Hubert. The classic 1990s sitcom, which launched Will Smith’s acting career, will air a reunion show on HBO Max November 19, featuring the surviving original cast. The reunion roster includes Smith, Alfonso Ribeiro (Carlton), Tatyana Ali (Ashley), Karyn Parsons (Hilary), Joseph Marcell (Geoffrey), Daphne Reid (Aunt Viv), and Will’s music partner and constant uninvited guest DJ Jazzy Jeff.
James Avery, who played Uncle Phil, sadly passed away in 2013 at the age of 68 and is the only leading cast member absent from the reunion show. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, which followed Will’s attempts to fit into the wealthy Banks family after being sent there by his mom, ran from 1990 until 1996. It was canceled after six seasons and 148 episodes but remained a favorite in syndication and on streaming. A more serious reboot, executive produced by Smith and based on a short film called Bel-Air uploaded to YouTube in 2019 by filmmaker Morgan Cooper, is currently in pre-production after being given a two-season order at Peacock. The rebooted show was announced around the same time as Smith confirmed the reunion with the original cast.
Now, Smith has released the first trailer for the reunion show on his YouTube channel. In addition to showing the original cast gathering on the original Banks family mansion set, there’s also an emotional sequence showing them remembering Avery. The trailer also teases Hubert’s return; she was ousted from playing Aunt Viv on the show after season 3 due to frequent clashes with Smith. You can watch the trailer below:
Hubert’s reveal is saved for last, with the actor only seen briefly walking on the studio lot. Otherwise, her appearance is referred to by Smith, and the rest of the cast are seen reacting to her walking on set. The revelation backs up early promo images from the reunion, which showed Smith and Hubert chatting in the audience seats above the set. Given the acrimonious circumstances that led to Hubert getting fired, it’s a little surprising that she appears in the reunion. Hopefully, it’s a sign she and Smith have buried the hatchet and can discuss their three seasons, acting together with fondness rather than anger.
Other standout moments in the trailer include discussing Smith’s inability to act when he was hired for the show, a fact he and Ribeiro acknowledge and joke about. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air reunion show will take fans on a trip down memory lane, appearing as it does over 30 years since it first debuted. It should also serve as an early promo for the upcoming Peacock reboot, even if it isn’t explicitly discussed, as fans will likely seek out information about the new show after watching this reunion.
