From KC to Bel-Air

By LONITA COOK

In West Philadelphia, “The Fresh Prince of BelAir” was born and raised, but it’s in Kansas City where an idea inspired the resurrection of the iconic 1990s sitcom. Morgan Cooper, a KC native, renewed interest in the coming-of-age tale with his dramatic reimagining of the series.

NBCUniversal’s streaming platform, Peacock, leverages Morgan’s vision into drama series, “BelAir” — an unflinching cultural digest to launch the emerging platform into the stratosphere.

Wanting to retell the original story with a more serious tone, Morgan proved his concept with a trailer that had fans from around the globe clamoring for a full series.

“I think one of the reasons the trailer did so well was by-and-large because of the craftsmanship,” says Cooper. “It just had a larger-than-life feel that allowed people to immerse themselves in what this could be like as a feature film, as a one-hour drama. That was a part of what was compelling for Will [Smith] — my dedication to artistry and creativity.”

Before writing, directing and producing “BelAir,” Morgan honed his craft as a professional cinematographer in Kansas City. He credits his ability to execute the series to the “10,000 hours” he’d dedicated to filmmaking in the years prior.

An idea, craftsmanship and rising to occasion are the components of the show’s success, but Morgan says it’s something closer to home that makes the new series special. “So much of what has defined my work is Kansas City artistry. I think you feel it in the [‘Bel-Air’] material. It has some soul in it. It has a handmade quality to it and I really do feel like that comes from that Kansas City touch.”

And it’s not just KC influence — it’s KC presence. Morgan commissioned the works of Kansas City artisans who, like him, have years of preparation and the confidence to answer a higher call. Their work is featured prominently in the show and its social media accounts.

Local painter Harold Smith was one such artist. “Morgan Cooper’s show addresses complex narratives of Black masculinity in America. The characters in the series are complex, sophisticated, successful but also with some street qualities. This is what I address in my work.”

Local fashion and textile designer, Whitney Manney, was also called upon for her creative talents, tasked with creating a wardrobe for the character of Ashley.

“I think it’s incredibly awesome of [Morgan] that he made the effort to include as many Kansas City artists as possible because he could have easily used L.A. fashion designers, artists and musicians,” applauds Whitney. “Seeing my work on screen, well, this is global at the end of the day and it’s going further than I ever dreamed.”

The Morgan Cooper concoction for success is simple: passion, vision, persistence and creativity.

“Imperfect action is better than perfect inaction,” Morgan says. “Some of the best artists in the world come from Kansas City and it’s possible to create something that’s game-changing. If you have a story within you and you’re passionate, don’t let anything stop you from bringing it to life.” n