The last three episodes of final season of Bel-Air arrived on Monday, and not only did the series wrap up its chief storylines, but it also gave us one of its biggest alum cameos.
When the Peacock series first launched in 2022, fans of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air sitcom wanted to know if any of the original cast members would show up. We’ve seen appearances from Tatyana Ali (who played Ashley Banks), Joseph Marcell (the first Geoffrey), Vernee Watson-Johnson and Daphne Maxwell Reid, who played the second Aunt Viv. All were featured in new roles different from those they played in the 1990s series. It has been a treat and a homecoming moment for fans of both shows.
And season 4 of Bel-Air brought out none other than Janet Hubert, whom fans fondly refer to as “OG Aunt Viv.” Her involvement was announced in October, and her popping up in the trailer piqued curiosity about her role. Bel-Air showrunner and executive producer Carla Banks Waddles chatted with us last month about the final season, calling Hubert “a dream” and sharing the actor had been on their minds.
Janet Hubert as Vivian Banks in the 1990s on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
“We talked about her from day one in the writers’ room this season, knowing this was the end,” Banks Waddles said. “If we could bring back somebody, could we get her back?” Banks Waddles added they were hopeful things would work out schedule-wise and creatively. “What I really like about this reimagining is when we bring back OG cast, it doesn’t feel like we’re forcing them into a role, it feels like, ‘Of course, this is that role.'” When the character of Iris (Viv’s doula) came up, they thought if Hubert could play her, it’d be “perfection,” she said.
Episode 7 introduced Hubert as Iris, a holistic doula whom Hilary befriended in Costa Rica. As soon as she walked in the house and greeted Cassandra Freeman’s Vivian Banks, she said, “I feel like I’ve known you forever.” To viewers, it may feel like a cheeky full-circle moment, but for Freeman, who has filled Aunt Viv’s shoes in this dramatic reboot, Hubert’s appearance was “spiritual.”
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After the Banks initially met with Iris, they agreed she would help deliver their baby. While we don’t see the character again until Aunt Viv gave birth toward the end of the episode, Hubert’s presence on set had a huge impact on Freeman.
“Working with Janet Hubert was the greatest acting experience of my life,” Freeman told me during our interview last month. “I think it’s all very spiritual for her to even be on this show.” Freeman explained that it taught her what it means to act in a “visceral way,” whether it gets caught on camera with the first take or any subsequent takes. With Hubert on set — especially during the birth scenes — it was “a tremendous experience,” she said, and co-star Coco Jones agreed.
“The little girl in me just kept looking at her, and also off-camera. I think people would be surprised at how fun and silly she is,” Freeman said. “This woman has had some strong winds in her life, and she is the embodiment of grace, joy, all the things, and an excellent actor. I pray that when people see her in this, it propels her to unknown heights.”
The entire fourth and final season of Bel-Air is now available to stream on Peacock.
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