Banks comes as the fifth &34;Fresh Prince of BelAir&34; alum to join Peacock's reimagining. Tyra Banks to appear on BelAir, marking fullcircle moment 32 years a

Banks comes as the fifth "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" alum to join Peacock's re-imagining.

Tyra Banks to appear on Bel-Air, marking full-circle moment 32 years after her Fresh Prince role

Banks comes as the fifth "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" alum to join Peacock's re-imagining.

By Mekishana Pierre

Mekishana Pierre

Mekishana Pierre is a news writer at **. She has been working at EW since 2025. Her work has previously appeared on *Entertainment Tonight* and Popsugar.

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September 24, 2025 6:39 p.m. ET

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Tyra Banks in 2025 and on 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' in 1993. Credit:

James D. Morgan/Getty; NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

Tyra Banks is heading back to Bel-Air.

The supermodel, actress, and TV host is set to guest-star in the fourth and final season of *Bel-Air*, Peacock's modern-day re-imagining of *The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air*, the streamer announced Wednesday. The casting represents a full-circle moment for Banks, who had an arc on *The Fresh Prince* some 32 years ago.

On *Bel-Air*, Banks will play a former college classmate with a big personality with whom Viv (Cassandra Freeman) is reluctantly reunited. On the original series, Banks played Jackie Ames, an ex-girlfriend of Will's (Will Smith) from Philly who moves out to L.A.

*The Fresh Prince* marked a big break for Banks, who landed the role of Jackie early in her acting career. While the *America's Next Top Model* host is best known for her signature runway walk and controversial reality competition series, '90s sitcom fans will remember her bantering with Smith like a seasoned comedian, especially during the duo's frequent blow-ups.

Will Smith and Tyra Banks on 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air'.

Alice S. Hall/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

Banks is one of five *Fresh Prince of Bel-Air* alums to return for the re-imagining, with all of them playing new roles.

Daphne Maxwell Reid, who played Aunt Viv (No. 2, following Janet Hubert's exit after season 3) on *Fresh Prince*, portrayed Helen in *Bel Air* season 1; Vernee Watson-Johnson, who played OG Will's mom, Viola "Vy" Smith, portrayed Janice alongside Reid; Joseph Marcell, who played butler Geoffrey on *Fresh Prince*, portrayed someone from *Bel-Air* Geoffrey's past in season 3; and Tatyana Ali, who played the precocious Ashley Banks on the OG series, portrayed middle-school English teacher Mrs. Hughes in season 2.

In *Bel-Air* season 4, Will (Jabari Banks) tries to balance the fun and excitement of senior year with the expectations that have brought him to this moment. Carlton (Olly Sholotan) tests his own resolve as he deals with the fallout of some very big decisions that could threaten his future. Together, the boys will help each other through this pivotal time in their lives.

Meet Your Maker: 'Bel-Air' creator Morgan Cooper on the culture that's inspired him

'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' cast: Where are they now?

An unexpected power shift will threaten the brotherhood between Phil (Adrian Holmes) and Geoffrey (Jimmy Akingbola), whose loyalties to the Banks family will be tested. Viv (Cassandra Freeman) struggles with reinventing herself as she looks at motherhood from a different perspective. It's Ashley's (Akira Akbar) freshman year in high school, and she's working through a rebellious phase, but quickly learns that the status quo may no longer serve her. And Hilary (Coco Jones) goes on a journey of self-exploration.

*Bel-Air* famously sprang from a four-minute trailer by Kansas City filmmaker Morgan Cooper, which struck a much darker tone than the sitcom that launched Smith to superstardom.

The cast of 'Bel-Air'.

Kwaku Alston/Peacock

"They're two different takes on these characters," Cooper told ** in 2022. "You can't make *The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air* again. What they did is beyond words. It's so legendary [that] you would never try."

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Carla Banks Waddles serves as writer, showrunner, and executive producer on *Bel-Air*. Cooper is also an executive producer and director on the series, and will helm the final two episodes.

*Bel-Air* season 4 is set to premiere Nov. 24 on Peacock.**

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