Class Is Back In Session At Hillman: Netflix Orders A Different World Sequel Series
Class is back in session at Hillman College: Netflix has ordered a next-gen A Different World that follows the children of Dwayne and Whitley.
We are heading back to Hillman. Netflix has officially ordered a sequel series to A Different World, the late '80s/'90s college-set spin-off of The Cosby Show. This one has been percolating since last year, got a soft announcement earlier this year, and now it is actually happening.
So what is it this time?
The new series centers on Deborah Wayne as she starts her freshman year at Hillman College — the same fictional HBCU her parents attended. The catch: her parents are Dwayne Wayne and Whitley Gilbert, so the shadow is not subtle. The thrust here is Deborah trying to build her own legacy while still, you know, having a good time at college. Classic setup, fun pressure cooker.
The next class at Hillman
Maleah Joi Moon (fresh off Hell's Kitchen) leads as Deborah Wayne, daughter of Dwayne (Kadeem Hardison) and Whitley (Jasmine Guy). Netflix is going ensemble with a new crew around her:
- 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
- Kennedi Reece, making her debut, as Hazel
Behind the scenes
Felicia Pride is running the show — she is writing, executive producing, and steering the revival. Debbie Allen, Mandy Summers, Tom Werner, Gina Prince-Bythewood, and Reggie Rock Bythewood are also executive producing. Allen, who directed episodes of the original series, is back behind the camera for three episodes this season, including the premiere. That is a smart swing; if you are going to revisit Hillman, bring in one of the people who helped define it.
Pride is keeping the aim pretty clear:
'It is such an honor to be a part of bringing back this iconic show... I am so proud of the work we are doing to reimagine A Different World for beloved fans and new generations alike.'
One neat bit of history: Gina Prince-Bythewood and Reggie Rock Bythewood got their start as writers on the original A Different World and met there, which makes their return here more than just a nostalgia gig — it is them coming full circle.
That is the setup: new generation, same Hillman, legacy pressure baked in. If they stick the landing, this could feel like an actual continuation instead of a cosplay reboot. We shall see.