In celebration of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’s upcoming 30th anniversary this month, HBO Max has announced that they’re officially developing a brand new unscripted special which will see the long-awaited reunion of the iconic 90s sitcom’s original cast led by Oscar nominee Will Smith. The reunion special is scheduled to film on Thursday, September 10 and will be available for streaming around Thanksgiving.
Now this is a story all about how… the cast of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air reunites for a one-time special! Coming around Thanksgiving only on HBO Max! pic.twitter.com/ZSlktr731e
— HBO Max (@hbomax) August 31, 2020
RELATED: Will Smith Producing Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Drama Based on Fan Film
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air reunion special will feature titular lead Will Smith along with returning cast members Tatyana Ali, Karyn Parsons, Joseph Marcell, Daphne Maxwell Reid, Alfonso Ribeiro, and DJ Jazzy Jeff. It will be directed by Marcus Raboy with Rikki Hughes serving as a showrunner and executive producer. Westbrook Media’s Miguel Melendez, Lukas Kaiser and Brad Haugen are also executive producing.
According to Smith’s production company Westbrook Media (via The Wrap), the cast will reunite “for a funny and heartfelt night full of music, dancing, and special surprise guests, in honor of the series that ran for six seasons and 148 episodes,” which would also see them take a look back “at the series and the cultural impact the series has had since its debut.”
RELATED The West Wing Special Coming to HBO Max From Aaron Sorkin!
The series ran on-air for six seasons from 1990-1996 on NBC. It notably launched Smith’s acting career after debuting as a hip-hop artist in 1985. The iconic sitcom centered around a teenager from West Philadelphia, who after getting into a fight was sent to California to live with his rich uncle and aunt in their Bel Air mansion. It also starred Tatyana Ali, Karyn Parsons, Joseph Marcell, Daphne Maxwell Reid, Alfonso Ribeiro, Jane Hubert, and the late James Avery, who had passed away in 2013. Hubert is the only original cast member not included in the reunion after her controversial exit from the show due to conflicts with Smith.
