A Different World

A Different World is an upcoming sequel series ordered by Netflix, reviving the beloved 1987-1993 NBC sitcom that followed students at the fictional historically Black Hillman College. The sequel brings back four original cast members: Kadeem Hardison as Dwayne Wayne, Jasmine Guy as Whitley Gilbert, Darryl M. Bell as Ron Johnson, and Cree Summer as Freddie Brooks. The new series follows Deborah Wayne (played by Maleah Joi Moon), the youngest daughter of Dwayne and Whitley, as she enrolls as a freshman at Hillman College. A free-spirited and well-intentioned young woman, Deborah finds it difficult to escape the shadow of her legendary parents while forging her own identity on campus. The new generation of students includes Alijah Kai, Chibuikem Uche, Cornell Young IV, Jordan Aaron Hall, and newcomer Kennedi Reece. A pilot was filmed at Clark Atlanta University and Spelman College, using the real HBCU campuses to authentically recreate the Hillman College environment. Full series production is scheduled to begin on February 5, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia, with filming expected to wrap by late April 2026. Atlanta's extensive production infrastructure and proximity to real HBCUs make it an ideal base for the show. The original A Different World, created as a spin-off of The Cosby Show by Bill Cosby and produced by Debbie Allen, ran for six seasons and was groundbreaking in its depiction of Black college life, tackling issues like racism, HIV/AIDS, and apartheid while maintaining its comedy format. The Netflix sequel aims to continue that tradition for a new generation, with a release expected in late 2026 or early 2027.