Cassandra Freeman brought poise to Bel-Air with her portrayal of family matriarch Aunt Vivian — a trait the actress said she saw in Janet Hubert, who originated the role on The Fresh Prince Bel-Air.
The last episodes of dramatic remake Bel-Air were released earlier today, and featured Hubert as a wise woman named “Iris,” who helped the Banks family navigate challenging times.
Hubert played Aunt Viv on the original Will Smith-led sitcom from 1990 to 1993.
Related: ‘Bel-Air’ Season 4 Trailer Shows Original Aunt Viv, Tyra Banks, and a Famous Rapper
In a recent Zoom interview with Urban Hollywood 411, Freeman said she felt inspired watching the actress and lobbied for her to have a role in the reimagined Peacock series.
“Every season, I was like, ‘Can we get Janet? Can we get Janet?’ And for Janet to come on, it’s like Christmas came early,” Freeman shared.
Hubert appeared on the first three seasons of The Fresh Prince Bel-Air before she was replaced by Daphne Reid.
Hubert and Will Smith, who is a co-executive producer on the reimagined series, settled their differences decades later. In 2020, the two sat down together and had a candid conversation as part of a reunion special for HBO Max.
Freeman said watching Hubert on TV in the ’90s brought a sense of pride as a Black girl with darker skin.
“Part of it was just the complexion of her skin and how she spoke, and how she held herself,” the actress said about Hubert. “No one like that existed in that specific way ever. So, it left such a strong imprint on my mind.”
Bel-Air debuted in February 2022 and streamed over four seasons. Inspired by Morgan Cooper’s viral trailer that reimagined the original comedy, the series took a dramatic approach to Will’s journey from the streets of West Philadelphia to the gated mansions of the Bel-Air neighborhood in Los Angeles.
Jabari Banks led the cast as Will, with Freeman and Adrian Holmes playing his aunt and uncle Vivian and Philip Banks. Olly Sholotan, Coco Jones, Akira Akbar, Jimmy Akingbola, Jordan L. Jones, and Simone Joy Jones also starred.
Peacock announced in December 2024, that Bel-Air would end after its fourth season. While Freeman was disappointed, she noted the series accomplished something rare.
“There’s no other show on Peacock that’s made it to four seasons. So, it feels really sweet to be at this position,” she explained.
As this chapter of her career ends, the actress plans to pursue future comedic roles.
“I’m so ready to do comedy. I used to be a stand-up comedian and doing this show for the last four years… It’s so dramatic, I’m like, ‘Y’all, can I go be funny,'” she quipped.
She also has a digital talk show in the works that she hopes to bring to YouTube called Vinyl Confessions.
“I’ve already shot four episodes,” she said. “I did a live version in California a few months ago with [TV host] Scott Evans, and we had Kenny Lattimore as a surprise guest.”
While new to the talk show genre, she tapped into her family legacy for guidance — her father Mack Freeman was a broadcasting pioneer in Jacksonville, Florida in the 1960s. Earlier this year, The Florida Times-Union paid tribute to Freeman and other local news legends.
“He was the first Black television news reporter in Jacksonville, Florida, the second in the state,” Cassandra Freeman said.
She described her dad as a “great orator,” and said she launched the talk show with him in mind.
“This show is basically a dedication to him,” she explained. “I’m really excited about it.”
You can watch Cassandra Freeman on Bel-Air. Season 4 is currently streaming on Peacock.
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