The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air's Tatyana Ali will be returning as a recurring character in Bel-Air, though she won't be reprising her former role. Ali played Ashley Banks for the entirety of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, growing from a precocious little girl into a teenager with a rebellious spirit. Though she will not be returning in Bel-Air as Ashley, Ali has found a new way to shape Ashley's character.
Tatyana Ali is not the only original cast member to make an appearance on the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air spin-off. Daphne Maxwell Reid, who was the second actress to portray Vivian Banks in the original Fresh Prince, appears in Bel-Air as Helen, a board member of the Art Council. Vernee Watson-Johnson, who portrayed Will's mother, Viola Smith, in Fresh Prince, makes an appearance as another board member in Bel-Air named Janice. Unlike Reid and Watson-Johnson, who only starred in one episode of Bel-Air, Ali will be joining Bel-Air season 2 as a recurring character.
Tatyana Ali Will Play Ashley’s Teacher On Bel-Air
Tatyana Ali is set to play Mrs. Hughes, one of Ashley's teachers at Bel-Air Middle School. According to the official description provided by Peacock for Bel-Air season 2, Mrs. Hughes is described as an "English Literature teacher at Bel-Air Middle School who sees something special in Ashley, often giving her books from her personal collection" (via TVLine). While little else has been revealed about the character so far, it is clear that Mrs. Hughes is poised to be the perfect mentor for the youngest Banks child.
The Former Ashley Will Guide Bel-Air’s Ashley
Though her time as Ashley has come to an end, Tatyana Ali has found a new way to shape the character. As Bel-Air's Ashley navigates the effects of her father's political career on their family while also exploring her own sexuality, Mrs. Hughes can serve as a formative mentor for the preteen. In her brief appearance in the Bel-Air season 2 trailer, Ali's character can be heard delivering words of wisdom to Ashley in the school hallway, as she says, "Never ever let anyone try to change you." In being someone who truly believes in Ashley and stands by her side, Mrs. Hughes can guide Ashley through difficult times.
Much of Bel-Air season 2's plot has been kept under wraps so far, though Ali's addition to the cast is one of the few plot points teased in the trailer. Carla Banks Waddles, Bel-Air's new showrunner, has promised that season 2 "will continue to find ways to push the envelope and feel refreshing... while also honoring the heart of the legacy series" (via Entertainment Weekly). When it comes to honoring The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, bringing Tatyana Ali back to serve as a guide to the newest iteration of Ashley Banks is a great move for Bel-Air season 2.