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. The comedy has begun filming in Atlanta.
The return of A Different World will explore the lives and loves of a new generation at Hillman College over 10 episodes. Tony winner Maleah Joi Moon (Hell’s Kitchen) stars as Deborah, the youngest child of OG Hillman students Dwayne Wayne (Kadeem Hardison) and Whitley Gilbert (Jasmine Guy).
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.”
Debbie Allen
Felicia Pride
Original series director Debbie Allen (Fame, Grey’s Anatomy) — 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.”
Keep reading for your syllabus on all things A Different World sequel, including the new faces arriving at Hillman College— and quite a few familiar ones too.
When Deborah, Dwayne Wayne, and Whitley Gilbert's free-spirited, well-intentioned, yet rebellious youngest child, enters her freshman year at Hillman College, she finds the shadow of her parents difficult to escape as 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.
Maleah Joi Moon
Alijah Kai
Chibuikem Uche
Cornell Young IV
Jordan Aaron Hall
Kennedi Reece
To hear more from the alumni cast of A Different World, click here.
Gina Prince-Bythewood & Reggie Rock Bythewood
Mandy Summers
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.
Season 1, which will explore the lives and loves of a new generation at Hillman College over 10 episodes, doesn’t have a premiere date just yet. So stay tuned to Tudum for more updates on A Different World, and stream the original series now.
