How to watch Bel-Air in the UK

Bel-Air has just started airing its final episodes in the United States, with UK viewers hoping to get caught up on the reimagined Fresh Prince series before too long.

The drama's rollout on our shores was regrettably interrupted by the closure of Peacock in the UK, but Jabari Banks's run as the new Will Smith has continued across the pond – with the finale looking set to be emotional.

These days, with so many streamers, websites and traditional broadcasters vying for our attention, it's rarely long before shows that have been cut adrift get scooped up by some other provider.

That's likely what awaits Bel-Air as it concludes its well-received run, but in the meantime, UK viewers can still revisit or discover the first two seasons of the show, which is executive produced by Fresh Prince star Smith.

Here's everything you need to know about Peacock's Bel-Air, including where to watch the hit series.

How to watch Bel-Air in the UK

At the time of writing, Bel-Air is available on both NOW and Amazon, although neither platform holds all of the episodes of the American drama.

On Amazon, seasons 1 and 2 can be purchased digitally for £11.99 each, while NOW is only streaming the second season. In other words, Bel-Air seasons 3 and 4 are yet to get a UK release.

The series airs on NBC-owned streamer Peacock in the United States, but the platform's UK equivalent was shut down at the start of 2024 amid tough competition from rival services.

It seems that Bel-Air has been a casualty of that demise, but the show could well be picked up by a new home in the coming months, especially now that it can be shopped around as a complete bundle. Watch this space.

In the US, Bel-Air season 4 premieres on Peacock on Monday 24th November with a triple-bill launch. All episodes will be streaming from 8th December.

How many episodes of Bel-Air are there?

Once concluded, Bel-Air will consist of 38 episodes in total.

The first three seasons are comprised of 10 episodes each, with the fourth and final entry to run for a slightly abbreviated eight chapters.

Bel-Air cast: Who stars in the reboot?

Newcomer Jabari Banks leads the cast of Bel-Air, playing a fictionalised version of Will Smith, who makes the long journey from West Philadelphia to Bel-Air at the orders of his concerned mother.

Adrian Holmes (The Boys) and Cassandra Freeman (Luke Cage) play his uncle Phil and aunt Viv respectively, who become his guardians upon his arrival in Los Angeles.

Disney Channel star Coco Jones joins Akira Akbar (Captain Marvel) and rising star Olly Sholotan as cousins Hilary, Ashley and Carlton, the last of whom became a firm fan favourite on the original series.

Jimmy Akingbola (Kate & Koji) will portray housekeeper to the Banks family Geoffrey, while Jordan L Jones (All Rise) and Simone Joy Jones (The Chair) round out the rest of the season 1 cast.

Later seasons have added Justin Cornwell (The Umbrella Academy), Joivan Wade (Doom Patrol) and Lenora Crichlow (Black Mirror) to the cast, among other screen talents.

Tyra Banks and Janet Hubert – both of whom appeared in the original Fresh Prince of Bel Air cast – have joined season 4 in special guest roles, following in the footsteps of past returnees Daphne Maxwell Reid, Vernee Watson-Johnson and Joseph Marcell.

Here's an overview of the Bel-Air cast heading into season 4:

• Jabari Banks as Will Smith
• Cassandra Freeman as Vivian Banks
• Jimmy Akingbola as Geoffrey Thompson
• Olly Sholotan as Carlton Banks
• Coco Jones as Hilary Banks
• Akira Akbar as Ashley Banks
• Simone Joy Jones as Lisa Wilkes
• Jordan L Jones as Jazz
• Adrian Holmes as Philip Banks
• April Parker Jones as Viola 'Vy' Smith
• SteVonté Hart as Tray Melbert
• Tyler Barnhardt as Connor Satterfield
• Joe Holt as Fred Wilkes
• Charlie Hall as Tyler Laramy
• Wendy Davis as Joan
• Jon Beavers as Kylo
• Michael Ealy as Reid Broderick
• Karrueche Tran as Ivy
• Brooklyn McLinn as Doc Hightower
• Jazlyn Martin as Jackie
• Nicholas Duvernay as Drew
• Justin Cornwell as Lamarcus Alton
• Diandra Lyle as Erika Baker
• Joivan Wade as Fredrick Thompson

What is Bel-Air about?

Bel-Air shares the same basic premise as the '90s sitcom that inspired it, following teenager Will Smith as he adapts to a new life in Los Angeles, after moving from the other side of the country in West Philadelphia.

Of course, the key difference is that while The Fresh Prince used this plot to create a classic fish-out-of-water comedy, Bel-Air will be exploring a more dramatic version of the story.

How is Bel-Air connected to The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air?

2022's Bel-Air does not share the same continuity as '90s series The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, hence why the principal roles have all been recast and the tone is much more serious.

However, there is a key link between the two shows in the form of Will Smith himself, who remains involved in this reboot as a developer and executive producer.

Bel-Air was inspired by a fan-made faux trailer by filmmaker Morgan Cooper, which went viral in 2019 and ended up catching the attention of Smith, ultimately acting as an unofficial pitch for this darker take on the sitcom's premise.

It remains available online – watch here.

Bel-Air season 4 trailer

Peacock has dropped the trailer for the fourth and final season of Bel-Air – watch here.

Bel-Air is available to stream on NOW and Amazon. Find out more about how to sign up for Sky TV here.

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