Peacock is developing a new series called “Hilary” that brings back Coco Jones to reprise her role as Hilary Banks from the “Bel-Air” reboot. The project marks a significant moment for the streaming platform, as it will be Peacock’s first original series to ever receive a spinoff. Coco Jones is stepping into a new chapter for her character, one that echoes the original “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” finale in the best way possible.
In this continuation, Hilary accepts a job from a celebrity chef and relocates to New York with a mission to establish herself beyond her privileged Bel-Air background. It’s a full-circle moment for a character who left for New York in the original series finale, and now gets to tell that story more fully. The project is being written by Tracy Oliver, known for her work on “Girls Trip,” with Will Smith’s Westbrook Studios producing the series. This spinoff comes at the peak of Jones’s momentum—she’s fresh off a Grammy win and new music release, making this the perfect time to see her lead her own prestige project.
The move signals something important for representation in streaming television. Having a Black actress lead a spinoff series from a culturally significant reboot feels like the industry finally getting it right, giving talented performers like Jones the space to grow and develop their craft in meaningful ways.
