The untitled sequel is a single-camera comedy featuring 10 half-hour episodes. It comes from showrunner and executive producer Felicia Pride. Legendary actress, director, and producer Debbie Allen—who played a major role behind and in front of the camera on the original series—will executive produce and direct three episodes, including the premiere.
Pride and Allen shared their excitement in a joint statement, calling the return of A Different World a long-awaited moment for fans. They said the sequel will honor the legacy of the original characters while telling fresh stories that reflect today’s issues. Viewers can expect to see how these beloved characters’ lives have evolved, along with surprise appearances from other familiar faces as the season unfolds.
The new series centers on Deborah Wayne, played by Maleah Joi Moon. Deborah is the youngest daughter of Hillman College legends Dwayne Wayne (Hardison) and Whitley Gilbert (Guy). As she begins her freshman year at her parents’ HBCU alma mater, Deborah struggles to step out of their shadow and build her own identity—while still enjoying the full college experience alongside a new group of students.
Cree Summer returns as the free-spirited Freddie Brooks, while Darryl M. Bell reprises his role as Ron “Ronaldus” Johnson. The new cast also includes Alijah Kai as Rashida, Chibuikem Uche as Kojo, Cornell Young IV as Shaquille, Jordan Aaron Hall as Amir, and Kennedi Reece as Hazel.
Netflix first ordered a pilot for the project in March, followed by a full series order last month. Reports of a sequel being in development first surfaced last August, and anticipation has been building ever since.
The original A Different World, a spinoff of The Cosby Show, premiered in 1987 and followed students at the fictional Hillman College, a historically Black college. While Lisa Bonet exited after the first season, the show went on to thrive with a strong ensemble cast that included Guy, Hardison, Bell, Summer, Dawnn Lewis, Sinbad, and others. The love story between Whitley Gilbert and Dwayne Wayne became one of the most memorable arcs in TV history.
The sequel is executive produced by Felicia Pride, Debbie Allen, Mandy Summers, Tom Werner, Gina Prince-Bythewood, and Reggie Bythewood—many of whom also worked on the original NBC series, which ran for six seasons.
With its mix of nostalgia and new storytelling, A Different World is ready to return to Hillman College—and fans old and new are invited along for the journey.
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