Bel-Air Season 4's Surprise Cast Exit Explained By Showrunner

Bel-Air Season 4's Surprise Cast Exit Explained By Showrunner Olly Sholotan and Jabari Banks from Bel-Air looking dressed up By  Nick Bythrow Published 11 minutes ago Nick Bythrow is a Lead Writer for ScreenRant. He has been writing for the site since September 2022. He graduated from Hampshire College in 2022, where he triple majored in Journalism, Communications, and Media Studies. When he's not writing about TV and movies for ScreenRant and his blog, Frayed Branches, Nick is penning speculative fiction and poetry on Amazon. He lives outside Boston, Massachusetts. Sign in to your ScreenRant account Summary Generate a summary of this story follow Follow followed Followed Like Like Thread Log in Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents: Try something different: Show me the facts Explain it like I’m 5 Give me a lighthearted recap

Warning: SPOILERS ahead for Bel-Air season 4, episodes 1-3!Bel-Air season 4's surprise cast exit has been explained by showrunner Carla Banks-Waddles, who confirms whether the important character is gone for good. During the premiere episode of Bel-Air season 4, social media influencer Hilary Banks (Coco Jones) left the titular location for Costa Rica, where the deceased Lamarcus was involved in humanitarian aid through his foundation.

Speaking with TVLine about Hilary's sudden exit in Bel-Air season 4, Banks-Waddles explained this was partially influenced by Jones' busy schedule. As an actor and singer-songwriter, her schedule didn't allot enough time to have a main role in the final season. However, the showrunner confirmed she would come back, having a heavier role in the show's very last episodes:

Hilary is a big part of the Banks family, and we will definitely see her throughout the season. Coco Jones is just busy. She's a Grammy-winning musical artist. So we had to work around her schedule, which we were happy to do, because we support her and all of her beautiful dreams. She was very much committed to being a part of the season. We just needed to fit her in where we could get her.

She'll definitely be a big part of the back half of the season. So don't say goodbye to Hilary completely!

In the story of the show, Hilary's exit from the cast of Bel-Air comes after her husband's death. Losing Lamarcus in a way that makes her feel responsible for his death is what leads to her decision to go to Costa Rica. It's a plot development that not only works around Jones' schedule, but makes sense for her character.

Luckily, it was previously confirmed Jones would have a recurring role in Bel-Air season 4, indicating her exit wouldn't keep her away for good. In season 4, episode 3, she even calls Viv over FaceTime, explaining how she won't be coming home for Thanksgiving. But that doesn't mean she'll be away from home forever.

There is tension building elsewhere in the series she may become involved with too. This includes Carlton and Will trying to rectify the past so they can get into college, Viv's pregnancy, and Uncle Phil potentially making a cautious deal with Geoffrey. These storylines are bound to weave into each other as the final episodes approach the series' conclusion.

However, when it comes to Hilary's story, the core focus will be on her healing from what happened to Lamarcus, trying to find some light in her darkness of loss. With Bel-Air's dramatic story starting to reach its apex, it seems like Jones' character has a chance to make something positive out of the bad situations she's found herself in.

With Bel-Air season 4 having only just begun, there's still five episodes left for Hilary to periodically be involved in the story. While her role is going to be reduced in comparison to previous seasons, her presence will be an important part of the show no matter what. Her final fate, however, will remain unclear until the series concludes.

New episodes of Bel-Air season 4 arrive Mondays on Peacock.

130 9.5/10 7/10

Bel-Air

10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Like Follow Followed TV-MA Drama Release Date February 13, 2022 Network Peacock Showrunner Carla Banks Waddles Directors Nick Copus, Keesha Sharp, Christine Swanson, John Scott, Mo McRae, Stacey Muhammad Writers Andy Borowitz

Cast

See All

• Jabari Banks Will Smith
• Adrian Holmes Phillip Banks

Main Genre Drama Genres Drama Creator(s) Andy Borowitz, Susan Borowitz Executive Producer(s) Andy Borowitz, Anthony Sparks, Benny Medina, Carla Banks Waddles, James Lassiter, Janeika James, Jasheika James, Malcolm Spellman, Miguel Melendez, Morgan Cooper, Quincy Jones, Rasheed Newson, Susan Borowitz, T.J. Brady, Terence Carter, Will Smith Producers Debra Lovatelli, Jeff Rafner, Douglas S. Ornstein, Jason Harkins, John E. Vohlers Seasons 4 Story By Andy Borowitz Streaming Service(s) Peacock, Prime Video Powered by Expand Collapse

• Bel-Air

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