OG Aunt Viv in ‘Bel-Air’ ‘Was the Greatest Acting Experience of My Life,’ Says Star Cassandra Freeman

The last three episodes of The final season of Bel-Air arrived Monday, and not only did the show wrap up its major storylines, but it also treated us to one of its biggest alumni cameos.

When the Peacock Series first launched, fans of the sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air wanted to know if any of the original cast members would show up. We saw appearances from Tatyana Ali (who played Ashley Banks), Joseph Marcell (the first Geoffrey), Vernee Watson-Johnson and Daphne Maxwell Reid, who played the second Aunt Viv. All have taken on new roles different from the ones they played on the ’90s series. It’s been a treat and a homecoming moment for fans of both shows, and Bel-Air season 4 has brought out none other than Janet Hubert, who fans affectionately call “OG Aunt Viv.”

Hubert’s involvement was announced in October and his appearance in the trailer piqued fans’ curiosity about his role. Bel-Air showrunner and executive producer Carla Banks Waddles chatted with us last month about the final season, calling Hubert a “dream” and sharing that the actor was on their minds.

“We talked about her from day one in the writers’ room this season, knowing that this was the end,” she said. “If we could bring someone back, could we get her back?” Banks Waddles added that they hope things work out creatively and in terms of timing. “What I really like about this reinvention is that when we bring back the OG actors, we don’t feel like we’re forcing them to play a role, we feel like, ‘Sure, it’s that role.'” When the character of Iris (Viv’s doula) came up, they thought if Hubert could play her, it would be “perfection,” Banks Waddles said.

Episode 7 introduced Hubert as Iris, a holistic doula who Hilary befriended in Costa Rica. As soon as she walked into the house and greeted Cassandra Freeman’s Vivian Banks, she said, “I feel like I’ve known you forever.” To viewers, it may seem like a cheeky coming-full-circle moment, but to Freeman, who replaced Aunt Viv in this dramatic reboot, Hubert’s appearance was “witty.”

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After the Banks’ first meeting with Iris, they agreed that she would help them give birth. Although we didn’t see the character again until Aunt Viv gave birth near the end of the episode, Hubert’s presence on set had a huge impact on Freeman.

“Working with Janet Hubert was the greatest acting experience of my life,” Freeman told me when we interviewed last month. “I think it’s very spiritual for her to be on this show.” Freeman said it taught him what it means to act in a “visceral way,” whether filmed in the first take or in subsequent takes. With Hubert on set — especially during the birth scenes — it was “a great experience,” she said (and co-star Coco Jones agreed).

“The little girl in me couldn’t stop looking at her, and also off camera, I think people would be surprised at how fun and silly she is,” Freeman explained. “This woman has had some tough times in her life, and she is the epitome of grace, of joy, of all things – and she is a great actress. I pray that when people see her in this role, it will propel her to new heights.”

The entire fourth and final season of Bel-Air is now available to stream on Peacock.