Pictures provided by Netflix
Netflix is heading back to Hillman College. The streamer has officially ordered a sequel series to A Different World, the beloved sitcom that ran on NBC from 1987 to 1993. The new series follows Deborah Wayne, the youngest daughter of Dwayne Wayne and Whitley Gilbert, as she begins her freshman year at her parents’ HBCU alma mater and works to step out from their shadow to build her own identity.
Original series director Debbie Allen, who produced 122 episodes and directed 83 during the show’s original run, will return as executive producer and will direct three episodes, including the premiere.
The news of the series pickup comes after the series was first announced to be in the works back in the Summer of 2024, with it then being given a pilot order, which filmed in June of this year in Atlanta. Pilot orders are rare for Netflix, which usually gives straight-to-series orders to comedies. It did trial it with a comedy series, Little Sky, which was quietly canceled behind the scenes. Thankfully, A Different World’s sequel spin-off series won’t be following suit.
Original series director Debbie Allen, who produced 122 episodes and directed 83 during the show’s original run, will return as executive producer and will direct three episodes, including the premiere.
Pictured: Debbie Allen, Felicia Pride and Mandy Summers
The series also sees the return of original writers Reggie Rock Bythewood (Swagger, Get On The Bus) and Gina Prince-Bythewood (The Woman King, Love & Basketball) as executive producers, alongside Mandy Summers (That ‘90s Show, The Pradeeps of Pittsburgh) and Tom Werner (The Conners, Roseanne, A Different World).
“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.”
“A Different World changed everything for us,” said the Bythewoods, who have been married since 1998. “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.”
Reggie Rock Blythewood and Gina Prince-Blythwood – Photo by Michael Buckner/Deadline via Getty Images
Who’s in the cast for A Different World at Netflix?
- Maleah Joi Moon (Hell’s Kitchen) as Deborah Wayne, described as free-spirited, well-intentioned, and a bit rebellious.
- Alijah Kai (Everybody Hates Chris) as Rashida
- Chibuikem Uche (One Of Us Is Lying, The Tomorrow War) as Kojo
- Cornell Young IV (Doing Life) as Shaquille
- Jordan Aaron Hall (The Idea of You) as Amir
- Kennedi Reece as Hazel
On Thursday, December 18, 2025, Netflix confirmed that four cast members from the original A Different World series would be returning to reprise their roles:
- Kadeem Hardison (White Men Can’t Jump) as Dwayne Wayne.
- Jasmine Guy (Harlem Nights) as Whitley Gilbert.
- Darryl M. Bell (School Daze) as Ron Johnson.
- Cree Summer (The Lost Empire) as Freddie Brooks.
Picture: Kadeem Hardison, Jasmine Guy, Darryl M. Bell, and Cree Summer –
The cast was excited to share with TUDUM how eager they all are to reprise their roles:
Jasmine Guy:
“I realized I’ve missed Whitley, and I can’t wait to see what she’s like now. The minute the cast got together, we picked up right where we left off. It was like we had never left.”
Darryl M. Bell:
“We’ve wanted to revisit these characters for a very long time. We want to know what happened next. We’ve had more than enough time to think of all the really exciting things that could happen, not only with our characters, but now with all the new students.”
Kadeem Hardison:
“It’s been fun to be like, ‘This is where we are now. This is what we look like now. This is what we sound like now. It’s like it’s 1991 again — we just play off each other and it’s easy.”
Those in the United States can currently watch all six seasons of the original series on Netflix, which was re-added this past February and is licensed through early 2029.
What is the production status of A Different World?
In issue 1479 of Production Weekly, filming is reported to start on February 5, 2026. Shooting will last for almost three months, ending by April 27, 2025.
Filming is scheduled to take place in Atlanta, Georgia, in the US
When will A Different World be released on Netflix?
With filming due to wrap up by late April 2026, it’s possible we will see the series on Netflix before the end of 2026.
A late 2026 or early 2027 release date sounds the most realistic. For now, we await further updates from Netflix.
Are you excited for the sequel series to A Different World on Netflix? Let us know in the comments down below.
