Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff are developing a new scripted television series titled 215, named after their hometown Philadelphia area code.

Announced by Smith’s Westbrook Studios and The Malar Group, the show serves as an “untold origin story” that chronicles the early life, friendship, and music careers of the legendary hip-hop duo in late-1980s West Philadelphia before they hit Hollywood stardom.

 

Key Details of the Show

• The Plot: It follows a quick-witted teenage rapper, his musical other-half DJ, and the group of friends who fuel their dream. The narrative explores their rise as one of hip-hop’s first crossover acts, navigating label meetings, hometown loyalty, sudden fame, and the personal pressures that test their friendship.

• Production: The project is the first to come out of a newly formed co-development partnership between Westbrook Studios and the private equity firm The Malar Group.

• Current Status: The series is in early development. As a result, network placement, casting decisions, and an official premiere date have not yet been announced.

“Westbrook has always been focused on developing stories with strong characters, distinctive worlds and a clear point of view,” said Terence Carter, President of Television, Westbrook Studios. “215 is especially meaningful to us because it draws from the rise of DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince and celebrates Philadelphia during such a defining era in the city’s late-’80s/early-’90s hip-hop scene. The Malar Group shares our approach to storytelling, and this partnership gives us the opportunity to build a slate together with intention, beginning with a project rooted in friendship, ambition and the integrity of this specific time and place.”

“We’re excited to partner with Westbrook Studios on a slate of film and television projects driven by distinctive creative vision and exceptional storytelling,” added Navaratnam, CEO of Malar Group. “215 caught our attention immediately. It’s the untold origin story of a show that audiences around the world have connected with for decades, but at its heart, it’s about two people who believed in each other, overcame extraordinary odds and built something that endured. 215 marks the start of a broader collaboration with Westbrook Studios, and we look forward to this project and the stories still to come.”