The 2022 Peacock original Bel-Air has clinched its place as the most popular reboot show airing currently. Based on the classic sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air which starred Will Smith and the late James Avery, Bel-Air infuses modern-day events and dramatics, transforming the show from its original comedy genre to a more gritty drama series.
One of the most-watched series of the 90s, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air follows the main character Will Smith who plays himself as he moves from his notorious Philadelphia neighborhood to Bel-Air, Los Angeles after falling in with the wrong crowd. His wealthy uncle, Uncle Phil takes him in and he lives together with his uncle’s wife, Aunt Vivian, and his three cousins Carlton, Hillary and Ashley.
Riding on the back of nostalgia, Bel-Air follows a similar storyline but unlike the former, the reboot keeps viewers on edge, taking a more suspenseful, emotional turn of events.
Nigeria’s emergence as a cultural powerhouse is no surprise to anyone familiar with its incredible creative dynamism. With unmistakable cultural confidence, Nigerian creatives continue to put their best foot forward, even on the international scene. Bel-Air is not left out, with Nigerian influences infused throughout the show.
If you’ve been keeping up with Bel-Air, here are a few Nigerian infusions you may have missed.
Olly Sholotan as Carlton Banks
23-year-old Olly Sholotan is an artist, producer, and actor born to Nigerian parents in Atlanta, Georgia. He was raised in Houston,Texas and graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles in 2019. He holds a degree in theatre, film and television and plays Carlton, originally played by Alfonso Riberio on Bel-Air. Sholotan debuted his acting career in 2017, where he featured in Main Street, a short film. In 2018, he played Jeremy in Partying With Communists and in 2020, Olly starred in Lloyd and Run Hide Fight.
Viewers have drawn parallels between Sholotan’s portrayal of Carlton and the original Carlton played by Riberio. In Bel-Air, Carlton is a lot more hostile towards his cousin with several confrontational scenes prompting viewers to ponder on the dynamics of their relationship as the series progresses.
As an artist, Olly is a pop singer signed to Lamintin Records music Label. His first album titled Jive was released in 2018 and in 2020, he followed with Soulful Gazing.
Jimmy Akingbola as Geoffrey
Born James Olatokunbo Akingbola, Jimmy was born in London, United Kingdom to Nigerian parents. When Jimmy was two years old, his mother who was his primary caregiver fell ill, and with no family to help look after her son, she was forced to place him in foster care. Akingbola was raised by his foster family in the London district of Plaistow and he went on to study at the Academy of Live and Recorded Arts, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in acting. Jimmy is no newbie to television, starring in British sitcoms The Crouches (2003-2005), Ballot Monkeys (2005), Stupid (2004-2006), as well as British drama series HolbyBlue (2007-2008), and American superhero action series Arrow.
The 44-year-old actor has won a good number of awards including the BEFFTA Award for Best TV actor in 2010 and the Nigerian Entertainment & Lifestyle Award for Best TV actor in 2012.
In the reboot, Jimmy stars as Geoffrey, the witty butler of the Banks household originally played by Joseph Marcell. Here, Geoffrey takes a different direction from the original character, being both street smart and book smart as opposed to the portrayal by Marcell who wouldn’t last a day on the wrong side of town.
The Role of Nigerian Art
One aspect of the Nigerian creative scene that is often, unfortunately, overlooked is visual arts. Despite the lack of proper acknowledgment, Nigerian artists continue to thrive with a reputation for their unique understanding of the rudiments of art.
In Bel-Air, Aunt Viv is a former artist who abandoned her craft as she settled into the role of mothering her children while her husband made his way up the ladder as a lawyer. However, this does not mean that her interest has completely diminished and one of the subplots of the show captures her experience trying to regain momentum with her art. Naturally, this makes the show a mecca of sorts for art. In the Bel Air mansion and the numerous events put on over the course of the first season, we observe several strategically placed art pieces.
Many of these art pieces are actually works of Nigerian artists. Sourced by Art Dey, an online marketplace focused on providing a global platform for contemporary African artists, the pieces in Bel Air stand out, reinstating Nigeria as a force to be reckoned with in the creative scene.
A breakdown of some of the pieces used in the show created by Nigerian artists and where they appear;
Episode 1 – Dreams and Nightmares
This episode features art from four different Nigerian artists with mediums ranging from oil on texturized canvas to acrylic on canvas.
Beautiful Family (2021) – Bright Osadolor
Heal (2021) – Bertha Onyekachi
Makoko Sailor (2021) – Abiola Daniel
Every Woman (2021) – Wilson
Episode 3 – Yamacraw
This refreshing episode features art from one Nigerian artist who works with acrylic on canvas.
Fela – Chukwuemeka Image
Episode 6 – The Strength to Smile
Here, we find the work of four Nigerian artists with art in acrylic and fabric on canvas, mixed media on canvas, and acrylic on canvas.
Intimacy II (2020) – Wilson
Pure Bliss (2021) – Omoniyi Gilbert
Igunnuko Masquerade (2021) – Omoniyi Gilbert
Makoko Rooftops (2021) – Omoniyi Gilbert
Melody (2020) – Luli
Queen of Sheba (2020) – Luli
Episode 8 – No One Wins When the Family Feuds
Famed for being one of the tensest episodes of the season, episode 8 carries art from one Nigerian artist, with mixed media as a medium.
Women in Gele 04 (2020) – Ogochukwu