A Different World is an American comedy television series and a revival of the 1987–1993 NBC sitcom of the same title. The series stars Jasmine Guy and Kadeem Hardison (all reprising their roles from the original series, with many other "alumni" returning), and Maleah Joi Moon. It is set to premiere on Netflix on September 24, 2026, exactly 39 years from the original series premiere date.
Contents
Premise
When Dwayne Wayne and Whitley Gilbert's free-spirited, kindhearted, yet rebellious youngest child, Deborah, enters her freshman year at Hillman College, she finds her parents' shadow difficult to escape as she aims to build her own legacy. She's doing that while also having the time of her life with the new generation of Hillman's finest and brightest.
Cast and characters
Maleah Joi Moon as Deborah Wayne
Alijah Kai as Rashida Duvall
Cornell Young IV as Shaquille
Jordan Aaron Hall as Amir
Kennedi Reece as Hazel
Chibuikem Uche as Kojo
Jasmine Guy as Whitley Gilbert-Wayne
Kadeem Hardison as Dwayne Wayne
Darryl M. Bell as Ron Johnson
Cree Summer as Freddie Brooks
Ajai Sanders as Gina Deveaux
Karen Malina White as Charmaine Brown
Charnele Brown as Dr. Kimberly Reese Boyer
Jenifer Lewis as Professor Davenport
Dawnn Lewis as Jaleesa Vinson-Taylor
Glynn Turman as Colonel Bradford Taylor
Jada Pinkett Smith as Lena James
Cliff “Method Man” Smith as Coach Coles
Norman Nixon Jr. as Professor Baptiste
Vincent Jamal Hooper as Ellington
Elijah J. Roberts as Jalen
Renee Harrison as Candace
Famecia Ward as Nellie Gaines
Dasan Frazier as Xavier
Tichina Arnold as Darlene Duvall
Joshua Suiter as Andre
Raven Goodwin as Dr. Brooklyn Boyer
Production
On August 23 and 24, 2012, Debbie Allen wrote on Twitter that she wanted to reboot the series. Over a million people on Facebook, Twitter and blogs reacted to the tweet and approved of the potential reboot.
On August 7, 2024, Deadline reported that a sequel to the series was in the works at Netflix: a single-camera half-hour comedy focusing on original cast characters Whitley & Dwayne's daughter, who also attends Hillman College. Deadline indicated that the series would be written and produced by Felicia Pride, who has worked on Bel-Air and Grey's Anatomy, and that Debbie Allen would be an executive producer, along with Mandy Summers, Tom Werner, Gina Prince-Bythewood and Reggie Bythewood. On March 28, 2025, Netflix ordered a pilot of the sequel series.
Brandy will perform the theme song.
Production was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Filming in Atlanta began in February 2026 and wrapped in May 2026.
Release
The series is set to premiere on Netflix on September 24, 2026.
