The sequel series promises to deliver the original series' feel while laughing, learning and tackling the issues facing HBCU students today
Credit: Netflix/X.com; Courtesy Everett Collection
NEED TO KNOW
- A Different World sequel series is officially in production, with Netflix sharing behind-the-scenes photos
- In December, it was revealed that Jasmine Guy (Whitley Gilbert Wayne), Kadeem Hardison (Dwayne Wayne), Cree Summer (Winifred ‘Freddie’ Brooks), and Darryl M. Bell (Ron Johnson) all plan to reprise their characters as recurring characters on the new series
- The series centers on Deborah Wayne (Maleah Joi Moon), the youngest daughter of Hillman College’s one-time it couple, Dwayne Wayne and Whitley Gilbert
Fans are excited to head back to Hillman.
On Thursday, Feb. 26, Netflix shared a new behind-the-scenes collage showing different moments from the set of the sequel series for A Different World.
"Freshman class loading!!! Production is officially underway on the A Different World sequel series!" they wrote, alongside the collection of images, filled with faces familiar and new.
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Freshman class loading!!!
Production is officially underway on the A Different World sequel series! pic.twitter.com/U9ST8Wo5Le
— Netflix (@netflix) February 26, 2026
In December, Deadline confirmed that Jasmine Guy (Whitley Gilbert Wayne), Kadeem Hardison (Dwayne Wayne), Cree Summer (Winifred 'Freddie' Brooks), and Darryl M. Bell (Ron Johnson) all plan to return, reprising their characters as recurring characters in the upcoming Netflix spinoff series.
The single-camera comedy is slated to start with ten half-hour episodes from showrunner and executive producer Felicia Pride. Debbie Allen, who produced, directed, and acted in the original series, is also returning to executive produce and direct three episodes, including the premiere.
The series centers on Deborah Wayne (Maleah Joi Moon), the youngest daughter of Hillman College’s one-time it couple, Dwayne Wayne and Whitley Gilbert. Deborah arrives for her freshman year at her parents' HBCU alma mater and figures out how to escape their shadow while also building her own legacy.
The newest class at Hillman also includes Alijah Kai as Rashida, Chibuikem Uche as Kojo, Cornell Young IV as Shaquille, Jordan Aaron Hall as Amir and Kennedi Reece as Hazel.
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Dawnn Lewis spent six years playing Vinson-Taylor — a divorcée student at Hillman College who doled out wisdom to her younger peers. Lewis herself also co-wrote the show's iconic theme song.
Speaking to PEOPLE on the red carpet of The Simpsons 800th episode party at The Fonda Theater, in Hollywood, CA on Friday, Feb. 6, 64-year-old Lewis said producers of the forthcoming A Different World sequel have been in touch.
"They have asked my availability date, so I'm sure at some point I'm going to be doing a guest star spot on the show," Lewis, who's voiced a number of different characters on The Simpsons in recent years, tells PEOPLE. "They also indicated last summer that they're going to be reusing the original theme song, which is especially special for me because I wrote it. So we'll see if that actually manifests. That would be beyond cool."
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