Friday morning (Nov. 13) began on an excited and emotional note as fans of “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” were treated to a trailer for the show’s upcoming reunion special. The two-minute clip finds sitcom star Will Smith and the rest of the cast together again in the series’ familiar living room for the reunion, which premieres Nov. 19 on HBO Max.
The “Fresh Prince” reunion was filmed back in September and celebrates the 30-year anniversary of the show. Fans were ecstatic when Smith’s original teaser for the reunion showed him reuniting with Janet Hubert — who originally played Aunt Viv, but departed from the show after the third season.
Hubert left the series due to her behind-the-scenes issues with Smith and was replaced by Daphne Maxwell Reid. In the clip, Hubert’s former co-stars can be heard gasping as she emerges on stage. As previously reported by REVOLT, Hubert agreed to return for a “candid conversation” with Smith — their first in 27 years.
James Avery will be sorely missed at the reunion, as the actor who played the beloved Uncle Phil sadly passed away in 2013. Avery’s co-stars will remember his legacy during the special, as the trailer sees Smith fondly recalling a note of encouragement that Avery gave him during the tear-jerking scene when Smith’s father leaves him for a second time.
“I just wanted him to think I was good,” Smith explained. “I fall into his arms at the end of the scene, and he’s holding me… The shot pans off and he whispers in my ear, ‘Now that’s acting.’”
Besides Smith and Hubert, the reunion will also feature the series’ Tatyana Ali, Karyn Parsons, Joseph Marcell, Daphne Maxwell Reid, Alfonso Ribeiro and DJ Jazzy Jeff. According to the trailer, the upcoming episode will be a mix of one-on-one interviews and cast discussion as they reminisce about the iconic TV show.
The “Fresh Prince” reunion also arrives on the heels of Peacock’s “Bel-Air” reboot, which received an immediate two-season launch. Smith serves as executive producer on the reimagined series.
Watch the reunion trailer below.