Get ready to go back to Hillman College as Netflix reveals the first look at “A Different World” sequel series.
The iconic ’90s sitcom is set to premiere on Netflix on Sept. 24. It was shot mostly in Atlanta and signs that read “Hillman College” were spotted around Clark Atlanta University.
The 10-episode series will center on Deborah Wayne, the youngest daughter of original characters Dwayne Wayne and Whitley Gilbert, with Maleah Joi Moon, as she navigates her freshman year at Hillman College while attempting to establish her own legacy.
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The series is being brought back by Felicia Pride, who serves as showrunner and executive producer. Debbie Allen, who was a producer for 122 episodes and directed 83 of the original run, is returning as an executive producer and will direct the premiere episode.
Pride, known for her work on “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Bel-Air,” expressed her deep connection to the original series.
“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,” Pride said.
Original series Allen also voiced her excitement for the revival.
“There couldn’t be a better time than now to reboot A Different World,” Allen told Tudum. “Our show changed lives, tripled the enrollment of historically black colleges and gave a strong voice and platform for Young Black America.”
She emphasized the blend of new and familiar faces in the upcoming series.
According to Tudum by Netflix, new cast mates are:
- Maleah Joi Moon (Hell’s Kitchen) as Deborah
- Alijah Kai (Everybody Hates Chris) as Rashida
- Cornell Young IV (Doing Life) as Shaquille
- Jordan Aaron Hall (The Idea of You) as Amir
- Kennedi Reece (Charged) as Hazel
- Chibuikem Uche (One of Us Is Lying) as Kojo
- Cliff “Method Man” Smith (PowerBook II, Godfather of Harlem, The Wire) as Coach Coles
- Norman Nixon Jr. (Grey’s Anatomy, Haus of Vicious, The Ms. Pat Show) as Professor Baptiste
- Vincent Jamal Hooper (Chicago Med, Shots Fired) as Ellington
- Elijah J. Roberts (Night Swim) as Jalen
- Renee Harrison (All American: Homecoming, The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat, Law and Order: SVU) as Candace
- Famecia Ward (Blue Bloods, Curse of War, Fear Lake Lanier) as Nellie Gaines
- Dasan Frazier (Straw, Law & Order, The Ms. Pat Show) as Xavier
- Tichina Arnold (The Neighborhood, Martin) as Darlene Duvall
- Joshua Suiter (All’s Fair) as Andre
- Raven Goodwin (Grotesquerie, Single Black Female) as Dr. Brooklyn Boyer
Returning cast mates:
- Jasmine Guy (A Different World, Harlem Nights) as Whitley Gilbert
- Kadeem Hardison (A Different World, White Men Can’t Jump) as Dwayne Wayne
- Darryl M. Bell (A Different World, School Daze) as Ron Johnson
- Cree Summer (A Different World, Atlantis: The Lost Empire) as Freddie Brooks
- Ajai Sanders (Phat Tuesdays, Two Degrees, Are We There Yet?) as Gina Deveaux
- Karen Malina White (Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder, Malcolm & Eddie) as Charmaine Brown
- Charnele Brown (Old Gray Mare, The Reading, A Different World) as Dr. Kimberly Reese Boyer
- Jenifer Lewis (Black-ish, What’s Love Got to Do with It, GOAT) as Professor Davenport
- Dawnn Lewis (A Different World, Star Trek: Lower Decks) as Jaleesa Vinson-Taylor
- Glynn Turman (A Different World, In Treatment) as Colonel Bradford Taylor
- Jada Pinkett Smith (Girls Trip) as Lena James
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