Veteran actress Janet Hubert is set to make a guest-star appearance in the fourth and final season of Bel‑Air, the dramatic reboot of the beloved ’90s sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel‑Air. The announcement was confirmed this week by producers of the Peacock series.
Hubert, best known for originating the role of Vivian Banks on the original show, will join a season already billed as a tribute to the franchise’s legacy. In her new role, she will portray a “wise woman” who crosses paths with Hilary Banks (played by Coco Jones) and becomes “instrumental to the Banks family.”
A Legacy Revisited
Her arrival marks a significant moment: Hubert’s tenure as Aunt Viv ended after the third season of The Fresh Prince amid contract and creative-difference issues, and she was replaced by Daphne Maxwell Reid. Now, over three decades later, Hubert returns to the Bel-Air universe in a guest capacity — signaling both reconciliation and homage.
“It’s a full-circle moment for the actress who originated the role,” one report said. Indeed, Hubert had publicly settled her long-standing public feud with Will Smith during a 2020 reunion special and more recently described their relationship as “so good.” The casting underscores that renewal.
The season’s guest list already includes several alumni from the original series, re-imagined in new roles. Among them are names like Tyra Banks, who is also set to appear in the final run.
Peacock has scheduled season four of Bel-Air to premiere on Nov. 24, 2025. The storyline will follow Will (Jabari Banks) navigating his senior year of high school, while Carlton (Olly Sholotan) faces the fallout of major decisions and the siblings help each other through a pivotal time.
In addition, the season synopsis teases major shifts: an “unexpected power shift” affecting Phil and Geoffrey, Ashley entering a rebellious phase, and Hilary undertaking a journey of self-exploration. With Hubert’s character positioned as a catalyst in that family dynamic, viewers can expect emotional weight, legacy callbacks and new story arcs that reflect the show’s evolution.
For Hubert, this guest turn on Bel-Air opens a new chapter more than 30 years after her original departure. “My circle is complete!” she posted on Instagram upon the announcement. For fans of the franchise, her arrival is both nostalgic and forward-looking — a chance to bridge past and present in one of television’s most enduring cultural properties.