Geoffrey Thompson

"You keep going on about me being an employee, but because I love you and your family, I just can't keep my mouth shut, even if it is my job."

—Geoffrey to Philip^[src]

Geoffrey Thompson is a main character on Peacock's modern-day reinterpretation, Bel-Air. He is portrayed by Jimmy Akingbola.

Geoffrey was the Banks' house manager until he was fired by Phil for going against his wishes and contacting Lou.

Biography[]

Early life[]

When Geoffrey was a boy, he moved from Jamaica to London. At some point after that, he ended up in Los Angeles.^[1] However, in doing so, he had to leave his son.^[2]

Meeting Will[]

Geoffrey greets Will upon his arrival at the Banks family's Bel-Air mansion and pays Jazz's $200 transportation fee, before escorting Will inside, who is hesitant to hand over his bag but becomes more relaxed over their mutual love for basketball legends. Later that night, Geoffrey and Phillip catch Will trying to flee the mansion and guide him back inside after paying Jazz off once again.^[3]

Advising Phil[]

Geoffrey advises Phil to give Will some real time to adjust, as it was quite the culture shock for him when he left Jamaica for London, as a boy. Phillips fears the more time they give him, the more trouble he's going to get in, but Geoffrey has seen him in his unguarded moments and believes that Will is at least trying.^[1]

Geoffrey and Phil play a game of pool, during which they discuss how he and Vivian came through for Will after he was framed at school for having drugs. Unfortunately, one problem still remains, and that's campaign troubles. Geoffrey would join him on his mission to gain votes, but he'll be sailing off to Catalina with a woman from yoga. He does however return, where he has a brief exchange with Viv's old sorority sister, Joan.^[4]

Killing Rashad[]

SE1-E04-Screenshot-Canvass-03-Geoffrey-Will — Geoffrey tells Will he'll handle it

Geoffrey gets word from Will that Rashad Denton knows he's in Bel-Air, which Geoffrey promises to handle. He meets with the extra security detail to instructs the man to reach out to his associates in Philly, as Rashad Denton is making noise despite the fact that they gave him $10,000 to leave Will alone. However, now he wants more, which Geoffrey refuses to pay. Not long after, Rashad is killed inside a club. As for Geoffrey, he goes searching for Ashley, who gave Hilary the slip. He finds her in South LA at a friend's house and escorts her back and warn Ashley to be more mindful, as there are bad people who would love nothing more than to use her to extort money from her family. He then takes her to the rink for Phillip's fundraiser, where he has also invited her friends to attend.^[5]

Geoffrey and Viv go over set up and servers for the fundraiser after the caterers cancel on her. However, that's about all Geoffrey can assist with, as he is called off by Phil to investigate why "Times" pulled their endorsement. Geoffrey learns that Fred Wilkes is running against Phil and reports back. With that in mind, Phil instructs Geoffrey to keep an eye on Fred, as well as Reid Broderick.^[6]

Geoffrey returns with recon on Reid and informs Phil that he's also going to be at the San Diego Modern Art Fair. While Phil has full trust in Viv, Reid has a reputation, Geoffrey has discovered.^[7]

Looking into Lou[]

SE1-E08-Screenshot-No-One-Wins-When-the-Family-Feuds-04-Philip-Geoffrey — Phil tells Geoffrey to handle Lou

Geoffrey reports to Phil that Wilkes has agreed to meet with him in secret. On a separate note, Phil informs Geoffrey how Vy might tell Will about his dad, which he fears may derail all of Will's progress, which is why he needs Geoffrey to see to it that Lou doesn't come near Will. However, Geoffrey suggests that he try a different tactic with Will's dad, but as far as Phil is concerned, Lou isn't someone Will needs in his life, but Geoffrey believes that's a decision to be made by Lou and Will. Geoffrey is having difficulty going through with Phil's order, but Phil reminds him who he works for and instructs Geoffrey to do as he was told. The following evening, during Will's birthday party, Geoffrey heads into Phil's office. As he is about to place a letter on Phil's desk, Will enters and asks Geoffrey to look into his father. Geoffrey tells Will that while there aren't satisfactory answers to why people leave, he will at least search for him.^[8]

Geoffrey has gathered as much information as he could on Will's father and hands him a large white envelope. While he can't say if Will should read it or not, Geoffrey warns Will that further pursuit of this won't just change his life, it will impact the entire family. After assisting Will, he joins Phil and Steven, who are debating whether they should expose Wilkes for cheating on his dying wife. Geoffrey's not a fan of two black men up on stage tearing each other down and accuses Phil of simply pretending to be uncomfortable with airing out Wilkes' business, as he prefers to feel like he's been talked into doing things that crossed the line.

SE1-E09-Screenshot-Cant-Knock-the-Hustle-04-Philip-Geoffrey — Geoffrey tells Phil to be there for his family

Geoffrey is confronted by Phil after learning that he looked into Lou for Will. While Will may have given the folder over, Geoffrey suspects he was simply too scared to open it alone and says that Phil should've helped him confront the truth. He reminds Phil that he already told him he wasn't comfortable with his ask to keep Will from his father. Geoffrey's real job is to protect Phil and his family, but sometimes those two things don't align. Because once his ambitions start stirring up, everything and everyone gets steamrolled. Phil warns Geoffrey that he's treading on dangerous territory when he begins to recite the different ways in which Phil neglects each of his own family's members. Moving on to Wilkes, while he may be flawed, he's a good man who doesn't deserve to be destroyed, as Phil intends to do at the debate. Phil doesn't deny this, simply saying that he can't trust Geoffrey anymore and fires him. They'll tell the family that he went on immediate leave of absence due to a family emergency. Geoffrey embraces Phil as tears fill his eyes and urges Phil to prove him wrong, unless he wants to watch his family split under the pressure.^[2]

SE2-E01-Promo-A-Fresh-Start-04-Geoffrey-Will — Geoffrey meets with Will

Geoffrey meets with Will to discuss his leaving the mansion. After the confrontation with Lou, it made Will want to take control of his life, but Geoffrey reminds him it's not that simple, as he still needs money and a place to live. Though, Will has been staying with Jazz and hooping for money when he needs it, which Geoffrey remarks sounds a lot like Philly. He informs Will that a real man doesn't hide from what scares him, he faces them. And Geoffrey does just that by reaching out to Phil to warn him that Will is headed down a dangerous path, though Phil doesn't appear too receptive.^[9]

Returning home[]

SE2-E02-Promo-Speaking-Truth-01-Philip-Geoffrey — Geoffrey accepts Phil's apology

Geoffrey is approached by Phil, who has come to make amends. Phil was angry when Geoffrey told Will about his father, but he knows Geoffrey had a good reason. Phil also knows that Geoffrey's been thinking about his son recently. Geoffrey isn't feeling great about the decision he's made. In his head, the arrangement makes sense, but in his heart, it still troubles him, as that's the only family he has, though Phil argues otherwise and is apologetic for firing Geoffrey, assuring him that would never happen again and that he wants him to come home. Geoffrey seemingly accepts his apology and hands Phil a cigar.^[10]

Geoffrey sneaks into Phil's office and attempts to access his files, which are password protected. When he hears Phil approaching from down the hall, Geoffrey claims that he's simply catching up on work that fell behind in his absence. Since he's there, Phil decides to gift him cigars to signify a fresh start, as he's happy to have Geoffrey back, especially now since he needs Geoffrey to look into his firm partner James Lewis.^[11]

Searching for his son[]

Geoffrey offers an ear to Viv, who is stressing over her upcoming gallery. She then asks how things have been going, particularly between him and Phil. Geoffrey remarks that they're finding their way, which is good, as Phil needs him more now than ever with everything that happening at the firm. On the evening on Viv's gallery, Geoffrey sneaks off and breaks into Phil's office to search for information of his son.^[12]

SE2-E06-Promo-Let-the-Best-Man-Win-02-Geoffrey — Geoffrey is looking for his son

Geoffrey confesses to Phil and Viv that he's been looking for Frederick. Keeping him safe has been their first priority, and now they simply want to help him weigh out all the options, but this has to be his decision to make. Until then, they give him a folder containing information pertaining to his son. Geoffrey also confides in Will about his past life and how he had to leave London and his family behind in order to protect them. He came to the states and started a new life. Frederick's mom couldn't handle it alone and gave him up. Disrupting his life now would be selfish and unfair. Not to mention, Geoffrey isn't even sure if he's ready to face how his son feels about him.^[13]

SE2-E07-Promo-Under-Pressure-03-Frederick-Geoffrey — Geoffrey tries to convince Frederick to stay

With help from Phil and Viv, Geoffrey meets Frederick for the first time. After lunch, during which they discussed Frederick's upbringing, Geoffrey brings him back to the mansion, where Frederick announces his plan to head back home to London. Geoffrey is important to the Banks, who can't seem to get on without him, whereas Frederick did just that for years. Despite knowing Geoffrey's reasons for leaving, it doesn't hurt any less. Geoffrey pleads for him to reconsider. While Frederick doesn't hate Geoffrey, he doesn't know him either, and proposes that they leave it that way. However, the following day, Frederick has reconsidered and decides to stay.^[14]

SE2-E10-Promo-Dont-Look-Back-27-Philip-Geoffrey-Erika — Phil, Geoffrey, and Erika celebrate

While celebrating Phil's new law firm, Geoffrey gets a call from an unknown number, but when he answers, no one responds. Erika joins them with a bottle to celebrate and says that the partners agree that it's a smart business move. After Geoffrey leaves, she kisses Phil, but he pulls away and tells her that they must ensure their relationship remain professional. Geoffrey returns and tells Phil that there's time to rethink this and warns him about being in close proximity to Erika, who clearly desires him, but Phil claims that he knows how to handle Erika and play her game. Later, Geoffrey reveals to Phil that he traced the calls coming from an unknown number. They're from a phone in east London. The following day, Geoffrey receives an envelope in the mail. Inside is a photo of him and Frederick at the diner.^[15]