Yahoo News Bel-Air season 2 brings back an important Fresh Prince character – but not the one you think
Bel-Air season 2 episode 1 spoilers follow.
The Prince of Bel-Air is back and he's straightening his crown and learning how to walk tall without being dependent on Aunt Viv (Cassandra Freeman) and Uncle Phil (Adrian Holmes).
All this new-found freedom has introduced Will (Jabari Banks) to a new crop of people and a very familiar face in the Bel-Air-verse.
Dedicated fans may have expected us to be referring to the actress behind Miss Hughes, Tatyana Ali. Ali played the core cast member Ashley Banks in the original sitcom Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
Yes she's back on the LA streets, but has put aside the dance moves of her childhood (you know the ones we mean *thrusts head forwards and backwards*). This time she has adopted the role of Bel-Air Academy middle school teacher.
The former Ashley officially hands over the baton to Akira Akbar's Ashley when she calls her to the front of the class and hands over a book before fist-bumping her. It's a pretty epic moment but while it is a pleasure to see Ali back in the universe in what appears to be a recurring role, we're actually talking about a different comeback.
The name Jackie may not ring much of a bell with the casual watcher, nor will it mean anything to those who are new to Bel-Air (Fresh Prince or otherwise) but the character definitely holds significance. At least she did in Fresh Prince so we're expecting the reimagining of the beloved Jackie to be a little more than just a cute nod to the original in its remake.
Who was Jackie in Fresh Prince of Bel-Air?
Bel-Air's introduction of Jackie unfolds quite differently to that of Fresh Prince.
In the original there is not a hint of romantic tension between Will and Jackie, whose first on-screen interaction sees them enthusiastically throw their arms around another in the most platonic hug ever.
While it is later revealed that they share a romantic history, OG Jackie is very much positioned first and foremost as his friend.
The character, played by Tyra Banks, gave the cast a bit of a shake-up in season four, injecting some new blood into the well-established dynamic of the Banks family and co. She is one of Will's childhood best friends from West Philadelphia, who moves out to California after taking a basketball scholarship at UCLA.
The two clearly have a deep connection having grown up together, and the level of intimacy is made clear from the jump by the fact that she resents Will having left West Philly and not contacted her in the three years he'd been gone.
Will later admitted that the reason he didn't get in touch was because he missed her too much. Nothing racier ever materialised between them beyond a few flirtations.
Bel-Air, however, takes their relationship in a different direction. Will meets Jackie (Jazlyn Martin) for the first time in season two and a steamier relationship seems to be in the making.
There is definitely a more sensual, flirtatious energy being tossed back and forth between Will and Jackie during their meet-cute.
From the moment her dog Fluffy growled at Will in the most intimidatingly aggressive way it was lust at first sight for the pair.
She's giving hard-to-get vibes to Will's obvious intrigue but she does take the time to give him pointers on how to impress the basketball scout and agent Doc (Brooklyn McLinn), which naturally goes a long way to gaining Will's favour.
Her budding romance with Will also seems to be stepping on the toes of his recently ended relationship with Lisa (Simone Joy Jones) who was also an important woman in Will's life in the original show.
While Lisa and Jackie never cross paths in the Fresh Prince (given that Lisa arrived in season five and Jackie only did a stint in season four) it's almost unavoidable in the remake.
We smell a love triangle of the most dramatic kind is on the cards.
Bel-Air season two is available to stream now on Sky in the UK and Peacock in the US with new episodes airing every Thursday.
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