Legacy at Hillman: A Different World Continues with New Series
Netflix has officially greenlit the continuation of the beloved series A Different World, set at Hillman College. The show will consist of 10 half-hour episodes and will be a single-camera comedy. Felicia Pride, known for her work on Grey’s Anatomy and Bel-Air, will be the showrunner and executive producer. Debbie Allen, who was involved in the original series, will direct three episodes of the new series, including the premiere.
The story will focus on Deborah Wayne, the daughter of Dwayne Wayne and Whitney Gilbert, as she navigates her freshman year at Hillman College. She aims to create her own legacy while dealing with the expectations set by her parents. The cast includes Maleah Joi Moon as Deborah, along with Alijah Kai, Chibuikem Uche, Cornell Young IV, Jordan Aaron Hall, and Kennedi Reece in supporting roles.
The show's creators, Reggie Rock Bythewood and Gina Prince-Bythewood, who were writers on the original series, will return as executive producers. They expressed their excitement about revisiting the world of Hillman College and continuing the legacy of the show. A Different World originally followed Denise Huxtable and her friends at the historically Black college, with a focus on the relationship between Whitley Gilbert and Dwayne Wayne.
Production for the new series is set to begin on February 5 and will run until April 27. While no returning cast members have been confirmed, discussions have been ongoing with key members. The show is expected to resonate with both longtime fans and a new generation of viewers, offering a fresh take on the beloved series.