“Fresh Prince” Legacy Continues With “Hilary” Spinoff

Coco Jones is taking the Banks family legacy to New York in a brand new way that’ll have you rethinking everything you thought you knew about Hilary.

Peacock just greenlit “Hilary,” a spinoff centered entirely on the character who spent four seasons stealing scenes in the dramatic reimagining of the original sitcom, and this time she’s leaving Bel-Air behind to prove herself on her own terms.

The project comes from writer-producer Tracy Oliver, who made history as the first Black woman to write a film that crossed the $100 million mark globally with “Girls Trip,” and she’s bringing that same energy to this new venture.

The original “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” ran from 1990 to 1996 and became a cultural phenomenon, launching Will Smith into superstardom and introducing audiences to one of television’s most quotable shows.

That series followed a street-smart teenager from West Philadelphia who gets sent to live with his wealthy relatives in the gated mansions of Bel-Air, and the contrast between his world and theirs created comedy gold for six seasons.

Beyond the original run, the franchise has spawned a 2020 reunion special that brought the surviving cast back together on HBO Max, and the 2022 dramatic reboot “Bel-Air” on Peacock took the premise in a completely different direction, treating the story as serious drama rather than comedy.

Hilary Banks became iconic in the original series as the glamorous, materialistic cousin who seemed shallow on the surface but revealed surprising depth as the show progressed.

Portrayed by Karyn Kusama, Hilary evolved from a one-dimensional valley-girl stereotype into a character audiences genuinely cared about, especially when she pursued her dream of becoming a talk show host.

Her comedic timing and memorable one-liners made her unforgettable, and fans still celebrate her character decades later for the way she balanced humor with unexpected vulnerability.

The new “Hilary” spinoff takes a completely different approach by following her as she accepts a job offer from celebrity chef Yvonne Durand and impulsively relocates to New York, determined to establish herself beyond her family’s wealth and connections, according to Variety.

The logline promises that success, friendship, and love in the city come at costs she never anticipated, suggesting a more grounded, character-driven narrative than the original’s comedic tone.

Jones, who’s also a Grammy-winning R&B artist behind the hit “ICU,” brings both acting credibility and musical talent to the role, having already proven her range across Disney projects, indie films, and the dramatic “Bel-Air” series.

If “Hilary” moves forward to series, it’ll mark Peacock’s first scripted original to receive a spinoff, cementing the platform’s commitment to expanding the Fresh Prince universe beyond the reboot that concluded its run.

The project reunites Jones with executive producers including Will Smith, Benny Medina, and the estates of both Jeff Pollack and Quincy Jones, ensuring the legacy remains in trusted hands.