Peacock is developing a spinoff of its hit drama series Bel-Air, centered on the character Hilary Banks and starring Coco Jones in the title role.

The project, tentatively titled Hilary, marks a significant milestone for the NBCUniversal streaming service, as it would become the first scripted original series from Peacock to receive a spinoff if it advances to production.

The original series, a dramatic reimagining of the classic 1990s sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, premiered on February 13, 2022, and quickly established itself as Peacock’s first major breakout hit. Created by Morgan Cooper based on his earlier short fan film and developed with Malcolm Spellman, TJ Brady, and Rasheed Newson, Bel-Air followed Will Smith (played by Jabari Banks) as he navigated life after moving from West Philadelphia to the affluent community of Bel-Air to live with his wealthy relatives.

Coco Jones portrayed Hilary Banks, the fashion-forward eldest daughter of the Banks family, across all four seasons. In the reboot, the character evolved from a social media influencer into a talented chef with entrepreneurial ambitions.

Jones’s performance helped elevate the role beyond its original sitcom portrayal by Karyn Parsons, incorporating modern elements of digital influence and culinary passion while exploring deeper emotional arcs, including personal loss in the final season.

According to the project’s logline, Hilary picks up with the character accepting an unexpected job offer from celebrity chef Yvonne Durand. Motivated to prove herself independently of her Bel-Air family connections, Hilary impulsively relocates to New York City.

There, she confronts the realities of building a career, forging new friendships, and navigating romance in a competitive urban environment, discovering that success comes with unanticipated personal costs.

This storyline notably diverges from the Bel-Air series finale, in which Hilary, after a period of soul-searching in Costa Rica following personal tragedy, returned to Los Angeles to open her own café. The New York setting instead echoes the conclusion of the original Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, in which Hilary also headed east for new opportunities.

Writers and producers appear to be blending elements of both versions of the franchise while carving out fresh territory for the character.

Tracy Oliver is writing the series and serving as an executive producer. Oliver, known for her work on the hit comedy Girls Trip, as well as the series Harlem and First Wives Club, brings a track record of crafting stories centered on complex, ambitious women.

She is new to the Bel-Air universe, offering an outside perspective that could distinguish the spinoff from its parent series.

The project originates from the same production companies behind Bel-Air: Will Smith’s Westbrook Studios and Universal Television. Jones and Oliver executive produce alongside Will Smith, Terence Carter, David Boorstein, and Miguel Melendez of Westbrook Studios. Additional executive producers include Benny Medina, Andy Borowitz, Susan Borowitz, Morgan Cooper, the Jeff Pollack trust, and the Quincy Jones estate many of whom were involved with the original Fresh Prince or the reboot.

For Peacock, the development of Hilary represents more than an extension of a successful property. Launched in 2020, the streamer has built a library of original content, but Bel-Air stood out as its earliest and most prominent scripted hit. A successful spinoff would signal growing confidence in expanding established franchises rather than relying solely on new intellectual property.

Public Reaction

Industry observers note that spinoffs of popular series often help retain audiences and leverage existing brand recognition in an increasingly crowded streaming market.

Jones’s rising profile adds further momentum. Beyond her work on Bel-Air, the actress and singer has earned a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance for her song “ICU” and released her debut album. Her dual career in music and acting positions her as a multi-hyphenate talent capable of drawing both television viewers and music fans to the project.

In interviews during Bel-Air’s final season, Jones discussed the character’s search for purpose, a theme that appears central to the spinoff’s premise of self-reinvention in a new city.

While the series remains in development and has not yet received a formal series order or production timeline, the involvement of high-profile producers and a clear creative vision suggest strong interest from the streamer.

Details about additional casting, including the role of celebrity chef Yvonne Durand, or potential guest appearances by other Bel-Air alumni have not been announced.

Fans of both the reboot and the original Fresh Prince may find the project particularly appealing for its exploration of Hilary as a standalone figure. No longer defined primarily by her family dynamics or proximity to Will, the character would face the challenges of independence, ambition, and personal growth on her own terms.

The New York setting offers opportunities for stories involving the competitive culinary scene, evolving social circles, and the pressures of urban life that differ markedly from the gated community of Bel-Air.

As streaming platforms continue to seek ways to maximize the value of proven hits, Hilary illustrates one strategic path: deepening investment in beloved characters and expanding their worlds. For now, the announcement has generated excitement among viewers who followed the Banks family through four seasons and are eager to see where Hilary’s next chapter leads.

If greenlit, Hilary would continue the modern, dramatic take on the Fresh Prince universe that Bel-Air pioneered, while giving Coco Jones a starring vehicle to further showcase her range as both performer and producer.

The project stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of these characters more than three decades after the original sitcom first aired and several years after the reboot found its own audience.