Will Smith’s New Role Ends A Major Drought 28 Years After Career-Changing Project

Summary

Will Smith returns to TV after 28 years with a high-concept sci-fi series, a departure from comedy.
Smith’s new project will explore themes of artificial intelligence in collaboration with Westworld creators.
Known for blockbusters, Smith’s TV return promises a sophisticated and thrilling take on A.I. themes.

Will Smith is expected to make a big return to television in his first leading role on the small screen since The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Smith recently starred in the 2024 summer box office hit Bad Boys: Ride or Die alongside franchise partner Martin Lawrence, which has been celebrated by audiences and critics alike. Smith has become one of the most recognizable movie stars on the planet after starring in major blockbusters over the past three decades, such as Independence Day (1996), Men in Black (1997), and I Am Legend (2007).

Smith rose to stardom as the lead in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, which became one of the most popular and beloved sitcoms of the 1990s, running for 147 episodes across six seasons from 1990 to 1996. The Fresh Prince of Beil-Air aired its final episode on May 20, 1996 even while the show continued to receive great ratings for the sole reason that Smith was ready to become a movie star. Remarkably, Smith never returned to star in a television series over the course of 28 years, until now.

Will-Smith-as-Mike-Lowrey-from-Bad-Boys-Ride-or-Die-and-Chris-Tucker-as-Carter-from-Rush-Hour-and-Danny-Glover-as-Roger-Murtaugh-from-Lethal-Weapon-

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Will Smith’s New Show Will Be His First Lead TV Role Since Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air

Smith hasn’t starred in a TV series since 1996

Will Smith as Will stands alone in a scene from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

It sounds unbelievable that Smith never returned to the small screen since leaving The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air in 1996. He has had some small roles and guest appearances in other TV shows since then and has acted as an executive producer on television titles such as Cobra Kai, Women of the Movement, and the Fresh Prince-inspired Bel-Air. Although Smith will make a big return to television for the first time in nearly three decades, the series he’s in talks to star in will be very different from Fresh Prince.

Recent reports claim that Smith’s highly anticipated return to television will not be a comedy but instead a high-concept sci-fi series from the creative minds behind Westworld and Fallout, two of the most celebrated modern sci-fi series. Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy are expected to team up once again for a new sci-fi series that will feature Smith in the leading role. Smith reportedly came up with the concept that involves themes of artificial intelligence and pitched it to Nolan and Joy as a limited series.

A promotional shot of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air cast.

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Will Smith’s TV Return Will Be Completely Different From Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air

Smith looks to tackle the concept of artificial intelligence

Based on the limited information available about Will Smith’s anticipated sci-fi project, the A.I. story will likely feature elements of both drama and thriller genres. It’s clear that whatever the title of the show ends up being, it will definitely not be a laugh-track comedy like The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Considering Nolan and Joy’s track record, the series should take a sophisticated approach to the subject of artificial intelligence, which Smith has somewhat done already in films such as I, Robot. Considering that Westworld is one of the best A.I. series ever made, the collaboration between Smith, Nolan, and Joy would likely inspire a new celebrated series.

Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air follows Will Smith (Will Smith) after he gets himself sent away from the mean streets of his native West Philadelphia to the affluent Bel Air neighborhood. Living with his wealthy Uncle Phil and Aunt Vivian, Will befriends his cousins and adjusts to a life that’s the polar opposite of everything he’s accustomed to. Even with a butler and an expensive education, Will finds that growing up isn’t easy, regardless of circumstance.

Cast: James Avery , Ross Bagley , Will Smith , Karyn Parsons , Janet Hubert , Tatyana Ali , Daphne Reid , alfonso ribeiro , DJ Jazzy Jeff , Joseph Marcell
Release Date: September 10, 1990
Seasons: 6
Writers: Andy Borowitz
Directors: alfonso ribeiro
Showrunner: Andy Borowitz