Looks like we’re heading back to Hillman—sort of.
Netflix has officially ordered a pilot episode for a sequel to A Different World, the beloved sitcom that first aired in 1987 and helped shape how a generation viewed HBCU life. But this time, it’s the next generation leading the charge. The new series will follow Deborah Wayne, the daughter of iconic couple Dwayne Wayne and Whitley Gilbert, as she finds her footing on her own HBCU journey.
Casting is currently underway for Deborah and her classmates, who are said to be in the 18-20 age range. While it hasn’t been confirmed if the fictional Hillman College is returning as the show’s central campus, that was reportedly the initial plan.
Netflix hasn’t made an official comment, but sources say production is eyeing a June shoot in Atlanta, with A Different World legend Debbie Allen directing the pilot. The script comes from writer and executive producer Felicia Pride, whose pen game has already made noise on projects like Bel-Air and Grey’s Anatomy.
The sequel is executive produced by Allen, Pride, Tom Werner, Mandy Summers, Gina Prince-Bythewood, and Reggie Bythewood—many of whom were behind the original series. Talk about a full-circle moment.
Now let’s talk shop: Netflix usually skips the whole pilot process and jumps straight to series orders. But this is one of the rare exceptions, with A Different World joining Little Sky as one of the streamer’s few comedy pilots in recent years. According to insiders, this isn’t a new trend but more of a “let’s see what we’re working with” moment—especially when it comes to capturing the right tone, cast chemistry, and comedic rhythm.
That extra care makes sense. You don’t touch a classic without making sure it still sings.
A Different World, a spin-off of The Cosby Show, originally followed Denise Huxtable (Lisa Bonet) as she settled into college life at Hillman. But after Bonet’s departure after Season 1, the show hit its stride by centering on characters like Whitley (Jasmine Guy) and Dwayne (Kadeem Hardison), whose on-screen love story gave us everything—from sass and glasses to that unforgettable “baby, please” wedding interruption.
The original series also starred Dawnn Lewis, Darryl M. Bell, Sinbad, Charnele Brown, Cree Summer, and Glynn Turman—and let’s just say, it helped pave the way for generations of Black students and creatives who saw themselves in Hillman’s halls.
Earlier this year, the original cast reunited for a 10-city HBCU tour and appearances on Today and The View, reminding folks just how deep the show’s legacy runs. Now, with Pride at the helm and a new generation in the spotlight, the sequel is poised to bring that legacy into 2025 and beyond.
And if this all sounds familiar, you’re not wrong. Netflix has already tested this kind of generational handoff with That ’90s Show, the follow-up to That ’70s Show, with Tom Werner also serving as an executive producer on both.
So far, there’s no word on whether any original cast members will make an appearance, but early chatter suggests they’re open to it—and let’s be real, what’s a trip back to Hillman without a few familiar faces?
Until then, we’ll be keeping a close eye on casting, filming, and everything in between. This revival isn’t just TV nostalgia—it’s legacy work.