A Different World Sequel Series Heads Back to Hillman College
The iconic ’90s sitcom is returning with Felicia Pride as showrunner and Debbie Allen as director.
Get ready to step into A Different World: the iconic ’90s sitcom is returning with a new sequel series centering on Deborah Wayne, the youngest daughter of Hillman College’s finest, Dwayne Wayne and Whitley Gilbert.
Tony winner Maleah Joi Moon (Hell’s Kitchen) will star as Deborah, the free-spirited, well-intentioned yet rebellious youngest child of Kadeem Hardison and Jasmine Guy’s characters. The series follows Deborah as she enters her freshman year at their HBCU alma mater and finds the shadow of her parents difficult to escape. She sets out to build her own legacy — while having the time of her life — alongside a whole new generation of Hillman’s best and brightest.
Joining Moon are Alijah Kai (Everybody Hates Chris) as Rashida, Chibuikem Uche (One Of Us Is Lying) as Kojo, Cornell Young IV (Doing Life) as Shaquille, Jordan Aaron Hall (The Idea of You) as Amir, and newcomer Kennedi Reece as Hazel.
“It is such an honor to be a part of bringing back this iconic show, one that I grew up on and which had a profound impact on my life,” says Felicia Pride (Grey’s Anatomy, Bel-Air), who serves as showrunner and executive producer. “I am so proud of the work we’re doing to reimagine A Different World for beloved fans and new generations alike.”
Original series director Debbie Allen — who served as producer for 122 episodes and directed 83 of the original run — is returning as executive producer and will direct three episodes, including the first.
“There couldn’t be a better time than now to reboot A Different World,” Allen tells Tudum. “Our show changed lives, tripled the enrollment of historically black colleges and gave a strong voice and platform for Young Black America. The incredible fresh young talent we have discovered paired with the lovable audience favorite OGs makes this much-anticipated return a must-see on Netflix.”
Writers from the original series Reggie Rock Bythewood (Get on the Bus, Swagger) and Gina Prince-Bythewood (The Woman King, Love & Basketball) return as executive producers alongside Mandy Summers (That ’90s Show, The Pradeeps of Pittsburgh) and Tom Werner (The Connors, Rosanne, A Different World).
“A Different World changed everything for us,” the Bythewoods, who have been married since 1998, tell Tudum. “It was where we got our start as writers and where we found each other. This show has always been a part of our love story. To return to Hillman now and help reimagine this world for a new generation feels like a continuation of that legacy — one rooted in love, purpose, and possibility.”
A Different World ran for six seasons on NBC from 1987 to 1993. Season 1 of the sequel series will consist of 10 single-camera half-hour episodes, and joins Netflix’s strong comedy slate, including series favorites Nobody Wants This, The Vince Staples Show, A Man on the Inside, Emily in Paris, and Survival of the Thickest.
CONTINUED: more cast pics
