For three powerful seasons, and now a fourth and final one, Jimmy Akingbola has brought quiet thunder to Bel-Air as Geoffrey, the sharp, enigmatic house manager whose loyalty runs deeper than words.
In Peacock’s reimagined version of the iconic Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Akingbola’s portrayal of Geoffrey became a standout: not just a butler, but a fixer, a father figure, and a man grappling with past shadows.
Now, as the series enters its final chapter, the British-Nigerian is taking a moment to reflect on the journey—and look forward to what’s ahead.
For Akingbola, stepping into the role of Geoffrey, the enigmatic, street-smart fixer and confidante to Uncle Phil (Adrian Holmes), has been nothing short of transformative. “If I’m honest with you, being a Brit that had dreams of working out here in LA… I couldn’t ask for a better job than Bel-Air,” he said. “I’m feeling so grateful and I’m feeling a strong amount of pride… no ego, just pride.”
Over four seasons, Bel-Air managed to take the nostalgic energy of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and elevate it into something more dramatic, more layered.
“Playing Geoffrey has been a gift. It’s been an honor. He’s more than just a butler and a fixer; he’s a man, a father, an uncle… He’s flawed,” Akingbola reflected. “In the final season, it gave us an opportunity to have true closure… These characters will remain with us long after the final credits roll.”
When it came to shaping this new version of Geoffrey, Akingbola credits Bel-Air creator Morgan Cooper with having a clear vision from the jump. “We talked a lot about this Geoffrey. We’re not gonna do the ‘help.’ We’re gonna have him as an equal, as a brother,” he explained.
Akingbola then took that vision and ran with it. “I could see a version of Geoffrey or a Black British character that’s never been on US TV before,” he said. “This Geoffrey was definitely much more grounded, street smart, but also smart in the boardrooms.”
The authenticity he brought to the role came from real-life inspiration. “I studied a lot of people—bodyguards, security. I get a lot of love from security guys. They’re like, ‘Yo, you play that role so well.’”
The actor shared a deeply personal moment when comparing his first and last day on set with co-star Jabari Banks, who plays Will. “The first time we met, we’d both been through different things in life…And by the final season, I looked across and was like, this boy is not a boy anymore. He’s a man,” Akingbola said. “There was just a sense of growth… and healing.”
Though Bel-Air is ending, Akingbola is only getting started. He’s diving deeper into storytelling with multiple projects on the horizon.
One of the most personal is Motherland, a docuseries about his return to Nigeria. “My name is Jimmy Bamidele Olatokumbo Akingbola. My middle names mean ‘return home with me’ and ‘bring wealth from abroad,’” he shared. “It’s about reconnecting with family, identity, and where we come from.”
He’s also turning his documentary Handle With Care into a scripted series, described as “Ozark meets Shameless,” to explore themes of family, identity, and the foster care system from a unique lens. Another upcoming series, Maurice, will spotlight a quiet, lonely man who finds himself in the underground boxing world. “It’s Fight Club meets Barry,” he teased.
And in a refreshing change of pace, Akingbola is working on a rom-com titled September. “It’s grown… they’ve both got kids and it’s like, what does it look like now to fall in love when you’re in a later stage in your life,” he said. “I feel like there’s not enough sort of Love Jones vibe things or love life type of projects out there.”
Through it all, Akingbola remains passionate about uplifting the diaspora and telling stories that reflect the full spectrum of Black life, across borders and backgrounds. “I’m a big believer in all of us as a diaspora working together,” he emphasized. “It’s not about replacing anyone… It’s about adding to the conversation.”
He continued, “You can open up Geoffrey’s story, and whether you’re from Brooklyn or Botswana, we connect. All our stories are connected, but they’re not identical.”
As Bel-Air closes its final chapter, Jimmy Akingbola is already writing new ones with depth, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to telling our stories with care, truth, and heart.
Photo Credit: Salvatore Demaio
