‘Bel-Air’: Omari Hardwick Was Considered to Portray Will’s Dad
Bel-Air is one of the most stunning reimaginings of a classic TV show that we’ve seen in television history. Based on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, this dramatic series, follows Will Smith (Jabari Banks), a 17-year-old who moves from West Philadelphia to Bel-Air to live with his affluent Aunt Viv (Cassandra Freeman) and Uncle Phil (Adrian Holmes). Though he immediately bonds with his older cousin Hilary (Coco Jones), an influencer and aspiring chef, and his young cousin Ashley (Akira Akbar), he has an immediate tension with his cousin Carlton (Olly Sholotan).
The first season watched Will navigate his new life with past and present troubles. It also unearths his issues with his absent father, Lou. It turns out that Power actor Omari Hardwick was considered for the role of Lou.
Will met his father in the ‘Bel-Air’ Season 1 Finale
In the season 1 finale of Bel-Air, Will finally came face-to-face with his father Lou, portrayed by Marlon Wayans. The audience and Will learned that Uncle Phil, Aunt Viv, and his mother, Vy (April Parker Jones) had hidden the truth from Will. It turns out that Lou had been in jail for the majority of Will’s life and he never chose to be in contact with his son.
Moreover, Lou chose to blame Vy, saying she was the worst thing that had ever happened to him. Showrunners T.J. Brady and Rasheed Newson talked about their choice to cast Wayans in the role.
“The thing was trying to find somebody who would be both notable and a surprise to the audience,” Newson told TV Line. “That was the tough thread. Marlon is known mostly for his comedic work. He’s great with the drama but is not necessarily who the audience expects to come to the door, so that gave it added power.”
Omari Hardwick was considered to portray Will’s dad
Wayans was not the only actor that was considered for the role. Newson explained that he also thought about Power actor Omari Hardwick for the role of Lou. “There are the usual suspects,” he explained to TV Line. “You go, ‘Well, should we get Terrance Howard? Should we get Omari Hardwick?’ But the question becomes would they be carrying the other characters they’ve played so successfully into our show? That’s what genuinely makes it tough. Would the audience just think, ‘Oh, somebody from Empire has stepped into Bel-Air?’”
Brady made it clear that though Hardwick and Howard were considered they were never actually approached. Hardwick specifically has a full slate. He’s slated to be in two Netflix titles. The Mothership for Netflix where he co-stars with Halle Berry and The Mother starring opposite Jennifer Lopez.
What will ‘Bel-Air’ Season 2 be about?
Still, meeting Lou was absolutely devastating for Will. Going forward in Bel-Air Season 2 he is going to be grappling with that and what to do next. “He’s going to try and define himself in Los Angeles outside of Bel-Air, ” Brady explained to TV Line. “We can look forward to him seeing what else that city has to offer in terms of making him feel like he belongs, places and people where he can thrive, and just figuring out a future for himself. The incident with Lou coupled with Jazz’s words and Will’s journey are going to take him on that coming-of-age self-discovery that everyone can relate to.”
Aside from Will, we’re going to see Hilary step into a new phase of her career, what happens with Aunt Viv’s art fellowship, and how Uncle Phil will deal next following his dropping out of the race for the district attorney. Hopefully, this means Geoffrey (Jimmy Akingbola) will be returning as well.
It was also nice to see Will and Carlton heal their fractured relationship. Bel-Air Season 1 is streaming on Peacock.
