‘Bel-Air’: 5 Shows to Watch If You Like the Series
The Bel-Air series is a glowing example of what a TV reboot or revival can look like when done correctly.
Created by Morgan Cooper, the TV show reimagines the hit ’90s sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air as a dramatic tale. Jabari Banks fills in for Will Smith as the swaggy teenager who leaves the streets of West Philadelphia and moves to an upscale community in Los Angeles for a chance at a better life.
The show launched on Peacock in February and impressed audiences with its incredible cast and ability to stay true to the original series while adding its own unique flavor. Now that it’s on break, here are some other shows you might like to keep you busy during the wait for Bel-Air Season 2.
‘Atlanta’
Atlanta is a dramedy starring Donald Glover (also known by his rap name, Childish Gambino), Brian Tyree Henry, LaKeith Stanfield, and Zazie Beetz. Glover leads the show as Earn Marks, a college dropout working as a music manager to his rapper cousin Paper Boi (Henry). The only thing is, Paper Boi hasn’t actually popped yet.
Atlanta debuted on FX in 2016 to positive reviews and has only received further acclaim in follow-up seasons. The show is now in its third season and will conclude after Atlanta Season 4. Watch it now on FXNOW and Hulu.
‘David Makes Man’
A drama series from Oscar-winning screenwriter Tarell Alvin McCraney (Moonlight), David Makes Man is about a kid named David. He’s a gifted student from the streets of Miami, Florida, who’s trying to use his skills and talent to create a better life for himself.
The show is executive produced by Michael B. Jordan and Oprah Winfrey and stars Akili McDowell, Nathaniel Logan McIntyre, Alana Arenas, Kwame Patterson, and Phylicia Rashad, among others.
Rotten Tomatoes gave the first season a 100% rating, an impressive feat that many have not been able to do. Check out the first two seasons now on fuboTV and HBO Max.
‘Queens’
Queens brings Brandy, Naturi Naughton, Eve, and Nadine Velazquez together in this story about a female rap group from the ’90s. Like many other bands, the group broke up right at the peak of the success of their song “Nasty Girl” due to infighting within the group. They still aren’t on speaking terms two decades later. But when the chance of a lifetime comes along, they can’t say no to a reunion.
As a musical drama, Queens has clear differences from the Bel-Air series. But it can be fun like that show and captures the magic of the ’90s through flashbacks, clothing, and music. Queens is available to watch on ABC and Hulu.
‘The Chi’
Created by Queen & Slim screenwriter Lena Waithe, The Chi is a Showtime series set on the Southside of Chicago. It revolves around different people from the city who become connected after a local tragedy. Kandi Burruss, Curtiss Cook, Alex R. Hibbert, Luke James, and Jacob Latimore are some of those in the cast of The Chi. Watch the series now on Showtime.
‘The Wonder Years’
The Wonder Years is a reboot of a show of the same name from the ’80s. It came out in 2021 and reimagines the show, which starred Fred Savage, with an all-Black cast. It takes place in 1960s Alabama and tells the story of a Black family through the eyes of descendant Dean. Despite changes from the original, IndieWire wrote that it “should appeal to fans of the original and new audiences alike.” Watch it now on ABC and Hulu.
