Arsenio Hall plays four new and recurring characters in Coming 2 America, the sequel to 1988's classic rom-com Coming to America – here's an explanation for each one. Available now on Amazon Prime, Coming 2 America follows Akeem's ascension to the throne and his journey to Queens to find the son he wasn't aware he fathered. It's a pure nostalgia trip that brings back several of the original film's most memorable characters, including Semmi, played by Hall, Lisa McDowell (Shari Headley), King Jaffe Joffer (James Earl Jones), and Cleo McDowell (John Amos), among others.

Coming to America features Eddie Murphy, then at the height of his career, playing Prince Akeem from the fictional African nation of Zamunda who is in search of a wife. He wants someone to love him for who he is, rather than for his title. He decides that there is no better place to discover his future princess than in Queens, New York. Akeem and his royal aide Semmi travel to America under the guise of poor foreign exchange students to meet his perfect mate.

Related: Why Eddie Murphy Plays Multiple Characters In His Movies

Coming 2 America takes place thirty years later, but many beloved characters are still around. Though Arsenio Hall is best known for his stand-up comedy, he held crucial supporting roles in Coming to America alongside Eddie Murphy. He reprises three of these in the sequel and introduces one new character to the mix. Let's take a look at all the characters he plays in Coming 2 America.

Semmi

Semmi is Akeem's best friend, sparring partner, and personal aide. In the first film, he accompanies Akeem to Queens and reluctantly accepts posing as poor African students and living in a hovel to better assimilate into society. Semmi thinks more rationally than Akeem in certain respects and favors accommodations fit for royalty. While Akeem is searching for romance, Semmi is more interested in sowing his oats.

In Coming 2 America, Semmi still serves as Akeem's aide, though his role is diminished in favor of some newer characters. Neither King Jaffe nor spiritual advisor Baba like him, as they're constantly wishing death on him in one scene. He is forced by King Jaffe to tell Akeem that he unknowingly sired a son thirty years ago while they were in Queens. In a flashback to the first film, Semmi picks up two women at a bar, using Akeem's royal status to keep them interested. Akeem remembers it as an innocent night smoking "ceremonial herbs," but the woman he's paired with, Mary (Leslie Jones), sexually assaults him and conceives their son Lavelle. Upon this revelation, Akeem attacks Semmi. Later on, Semmi follows Akeem back to Queens to locate Lavelle and helps Akeem's daughters battle General Izzi's (Wesley Snipes) forces when they threaten to kidnap the eldest girl Meeka.

Morris

Arsenio Hall in the barbershop in Coming 2 America

Hall returns as Morris in Coming 2 America, one of the seemingly immortal elderly barber characters in the Queens barbershop My-T-Sharp. Morris, Clarence, Saul, and Sweets usually bicker about boxing and who is the greatest boxer of all time is. They also provide advice to Akeem in both movies, when he is looking for places to meet nice women and when he is searching for his son. Morris doesn't have many memorable lines – he serves as more of a soundboard to all the hilarious ranting and raving Clarence does.

Related: Coming 2 America: Why Eriq La Salle's Darryl Isn't Returning

Reverend Brown

Reverend in Coming 2 America

Hall also reprises his Coming to America character Reverend Brown, who first made an appearance during the Black Awareness Rally where Akeem sees Lisa. Mirembe (Nomzamo Mbatha), Lavelle's love interest and a royal groomer, refers to him as a "womanizing, sexist officiant" during their wedding ceremony. Reverend Brown does exhibit lecherous behavior while preaching, especially when he calls out the bathing suit models in the first film. It would appear he hasn't changed in 30 years, as he still gives Lavelle and Mirembe a once-over when they arrive to be married. His suggestive remarks make for an uncomfortable, albeit humorous watch.

Baba

Arsenio Hall as Baba looking on

Hall also plays Baba, the newest addition to Coming 2 America. He's a witch doctor or royal spiritual advisor who frequently reminds Akeem that Lavelle must pass a princely test to become a true part of the family. He also harbors some resentment towards Semmi for whatever reason. Baba claims to have seen a vision of Lavelle and encourages Akeem to find his Queens-born son to prevent General Izzi from assassinating Akeem. Lastly, he participates in Lavelle's final test of courage by fabricating a ceremonial circumcision.

Arsenio Hall delivers some versatile performances in Coming 2 America and is the perfect complement to Eddie Murphy's own multiple characters. Though there aren't as many shenanigans in their older age, they are still very enjoyable to watch. Part of these films' success stems from the wildly fun roles Arsenio Hall has played.

Next: Everything We Know About Coming To America 3