Peacock's Bel-Air returned for its fourth and final season on November 24, 2025, with the first three episodes now streaming. In the premiere, Hilary Banks, played by Coco Jones, leaves Bel-Air for a wellness center in Costa Rica amid grief over her husband's death. The showrunner assures fans that Hilary will return later in the season despite Jones' busy music schedule.
Premiere and Season Overview
Bel-Air, the dramatic reimagining of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, launched its final season on Peacock on November 24, 2025. The first three episodes are available immediately, followed by two more on December 1 and the final three on December 8, making this an eight-episode run compared to the 10-episode prior seasons. The series, which debuted in 2022 with Jabari Banks as Will, has been a critical hit, holding an 85% Rotten Tomatoes score that improved each season, including a perfect 100% for Season 3. It became Peacock's most-streamed original, reaching eight million accounts shortly after launch.
The final season finds the Banks family at key crossroads: Will and Carlton apply to college amid past troubles, Aunt Viv grapples with an unexpected pregnancy, Ashley seeks independence, and Uncle Phil faces a risky business deal. This sets the stage for deeper explorations of race, class, and identity.
Hilary's Departure Explained
Hilary's exit occurs in Episode 1, as she heads to Costa Rica to engage with her late husband Lamarcus' foundation for humanitarian aid, still reeling from his sudden death. Coco Jones, a series regular in prior seasons, is now recurring due to her commitments as a Grammy-winning artist.
Showrunner Carla Banks-Waddles told TVLine, 'Coco Jones is just busy. She's a Grammy-winning musical artist. So we had to work around her schedule... She'll definitely be a big part of the back half of the season.' Hilary stays connected via FaceTime, as seen in Episode 3 when she misses Thanksgiving.
Jones shared insights on Hilary's arc: 'Grief is something you never really know how to heal from... She's learning what she wants to contribute to society. Even though she lost someone of a great magnitude, she kind of finds her purpose.' Banks-Waddles noted the season feels like a 'graduation' after four years, amid reports of budget considerations leading to the shorter run.