1 9 9 0 – 1 9 9 6 (USA)
Will, the ‘Fresh Prince’ (Will Smith), a teenager growing up on the wrong side of the tracks, was given a second chance when he was sent by his mother (Viola) from the ghetto of West Philadelphia to live with their well-to-do relatives in Bel Air, Los Angeles, California: Uncle Philip Banks (a conservative lawyer), Aunt Vivian Banks, and cousins Carlton, Hilary, and Ashley.
The Banks family had a butler called Geoffrey who, in spite of his imperious demeanour, was surprisingly sympathetic to Will, who he called “Master William”.
Storylines revolved around the family and Will and Carlton’s time as students in college.
Aunt Vivian subsequently gave birth to a fourth child, Nicky, who suddenly appeared in the next season as a five-year-old (Ross Bagley).
Then Will’s ex-girlfriend from Philadelphia, Jackie (Tyra Banks) showed up to make things uncomfortable for Will.
In the final episode, the Banks had put their Bel Air mansion up for sale.
The potential buyers, Mr Drummond and Arnold (Conrad Bain and Gary Coleman) from Diff’rent Strokes considered buying the house, but it was ultimately bought by George and Louise Jefferson (Sherman Hemsley and Isabel Sanford), who had formerly been seen on The Jeffersons.
The Jeffersons’ former maid, Florence (Marla Gibbs) also made an appearance on the final show.
Will, the Fresh Prince
Will Smith
Philip Zeke Banks
James Avery
Vivian Banks
Janet Hubert (1)
Daphne Maxwell Reid (2)
Carlton Banks
Alfonso Ribeiro
Hilary Banks
Karyn Parsons
Ashley Banks
Tatyana M Ali
Geoffrey the Butler
Joseph Marcell
Nicky Banks
Ross Bagley
Jackie
Tyra Banks
