An Exclusive Interview on Bringing a Fresh Uncle Phil to Life
Adrian Holmes has stepped into the iconic role of Uncle Phil on Bel-Air, and let me tell you, the man is making it his own. While many of us grew up watching the beloved character on the original Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Holmes’ version of Uncle Phil comes with a fresh perspective—one that is far less Yamacraw, North Carolina and much more LA. But when it comes to shaping the character, don’t expect to see too much of the past bleeding into the present. According to Holmes, the shift was all in the scriptwriting.
“Definitely the scriptwriters,” Holmes told me on Scoop B Radio when I asked about the evolution of Uncle Phil’s character.
“When you say he was ‘less Yamacraw’ and yeah, I think so, and you know obviously we have Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity [Inc.] in there and in Episode 3 Season 1, we showed a little bit more of him with his past with his brothers and being the ‘Yamacraw’ that he is, you know? The core of who he is, which is ‘Yamacraw,’ we got to expose that and express that more.”
Holmes continued, “But you know, it’s something that we touch on the show here and there but it’s not a gear that he stays in on the regular because he’s got things to do and he’s got to stay in that lane; the Bel-Air lane with the family, politics and all the stuff going on with the firm. But I think he does a good job balancing the two out.”
It’s clear that Bel-Air isn’t just a rehash of the original sitcom—it’s a deep dive into issues that were glossed over in the ’90s version. Holmes feels that the drama’s format allows for a deeper connection with the audience, one that resonates today in ways the old show never could.
“Oh yeah! I think that more people can relate to it a lot more because we are able to really touch on issues that they only were able to gloss over in the sitcom because it’s a half-hour sitcom; it’s a comedy, right?” Holmes said. “With our show, we’re able to peel back the layers of the onion more and you really get to the root and it just makes it more relatable and for people… it answers a lot of questions. I find it therapeutic, you know? It’s like food for the soul.”
Holmes is also quick to note that the show’s impact goes beyond just the characters—it’s about representation. “I’m very proud of the fact that ALL of the characters are very valuable and important to the culture and to the community. And again for me, it’s just been a blessing and it’s a dream to be given this assignment,” he said. “He [Uncle Phil] is such an iconic character and I’m happy that it’s been so well received and by God’s grace that we have many more seasons ahead of us.”
When it came to drawing inspiration for this version of Uncle Phil, Holmes’ choice might surprise you. Instead of turning to past performances, he looked at the modern-day embodiment of Black excellence: Barack Obama.
“That’s a great question! I really wished that Mr. Avery was still with us,” Holmes shared, referring to the late James Avery, who originally portrayed Uncle Phil. “For me, when I was working on a character, Barack Obama was an inspiration to me because he is like… our beloved Black Excellence—he and Michelle [Obama] and their family; they are like the modern-day Banks Family without Carlton. All we need is a dog, you know? [laughs] But I drew from him and just how inspiring he’s been to all of us as not only a great politician but a man, and a husband, and a father, and just a leader, you know?”
Holmes’ admiration for Obama helped shape his approach to Uncle Phil, blending leadership, wisdom, and family values to bring a fresh yet familiar vibe to the character.
As for the Fresh Prince he grew up with? No surprise here—Holmes connected with Will, and not just because of the fashion or music, but because of the drive and ambition that defined him.
“Oh man! I watched it in real time and then obviously Will was a character that I really—out of all the characters on the show with his fashion and the music and the dance moves?” Holmes said, laughing. “Definitely more Will than Carlton on the dance moves! And yeah, from then on I just followed Will and his career as a multi-mega movie star and I’ve always just been inspired by him.”
Holmes reflects on how he admired Will Smith’s transition from TV star to global movie icon, and it’s clear that Will’s hustle left a lasting impression on him. “A lot of times when I had auditions, I would think, ‘How would Will do this?’ I wanna put my Will Smith on this… you know?” Holmes admitted. “I just really admired his confidence, his poise, his coolness, his swag, you know? Which is very admirable in all that he’s done and he’s been a hero to me.”
Holmes also recalls the original show and wondered which characters from the sitcom might translate well into the more dramatic version of Bel-Air. “I think we’ve got other main casts in with Jackie, you know? And I can’t think of any others really,” he said, before jokingly adding, “Oh, that’s right! Richard Roundtree… but that probably wouldn’t work.”
Finally, Holmes shared his thoughts on code-switching, a theme that’s become more prevalent in today’s society. While the concept was discussed in the ’90s, Holmes believes that in today’s world, code-switching has become second nature.
“Oh yeah! I think now code-switching is something we do and you just do it and it’s just… involuntarily, you know what I mean?” he said. “You know when you have to navigate in that way depending on your environment or your surroundings. So, yeah. I think that’s just the norm now.”
Holmes’ take on Bel-Air proves that it’s not just a reboot—it’s a bold new vision for a new generation. And with this version of Uncle Phil, it’s clear that the show isn’t just about nostalgia—it’s about evolving and tackling relevant issues with heart, depth, and authenticity.
You Can WATCH the full interview over Adrian Holmes & Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson by CLICKING HERE.
