Did Coco Jones leave ‘Bel-Air’? Showrunner explains singer’s surprise exit: ‘She'll definitely be…’
It's been a rough run for Coco Jones' character, Hilary Banks, on 'Bel-Air'. The series of events in her life and Jones's temporary exit from the show have been major talking points throughout the season. Earlier, the loss of Lamarcus' sudden death rocked Hilary, and the drama sees the beloved character shattered. With a way to cope, Hilary announces that she's leaving Bel-Air to visit a wellness center in Costa Rica, where Lamarcus' foundation is involved in humanitarian aid.
According to TVLine, showrunner Carla Banks-Waddles addressed the exit, while also leaving the door open for a potential return. "She'll definitely be a big part of the back half of the season. So don't say goodbye to Hilary completely!"
"Coco Jones is just busy. She's a Grammy-winning musical artist. So we had to work around her schedule, which we were happy to do, because we support her and all of her beautiful dreams. She was very much committed to being a part of the season. We just needed to fit her in where we could get her."
On her part, Jones spoke of her character's experience. "She's dealing with a lot on her plate. Grief is something you never really know how to heal from, and it's never fully gone. She's trying not to worry about what other people think, and she'll stay close to the people she loves, including the new family member. While she's also hurting, her family heals her in a way. She's just trying to figure out the balance of it all."
"In these dark times, you learn so much," Jones explains. "I'm excited for people to see this wiser side of Hilary, and her new aesthetic. She's learning what she wants to contribute to society. Even though she lost someone of great magnitude, she kind of finds her purpose." The final season starts with each major character at a crossroads. On one side are Carlton and Will applying to college, even as their mistakes in past mistakes may hamper their plans. Viv has her own thoughts about the feeling of being pregnant. Ashley looks at making earnest attempts to come out of her siblings' shadows, and Geoffrey's business proposal to Uncle Phil has enough in it to get panic stations moving.
'Bel-Air' season 4 has a total of eight episodes and will be released through December 8.
