A Different World (2026 TV series)
American sitcom
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A Different World is an upcoming 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.[1] It is set to premiere on Netflix on September 24, 2026, exactly 39 years from the original series premiere date.[2]
| A Different World | |
|---|---|
| |
| Genre | Sitcom |
| Created by | Bill Cosby |
| Showrunner | Felicia Pride |
| Starring | |
| Opening theme | Performed by: Brandy Norwood |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
|
| Camera setup | Single-camera |
| Production company | The Carsey-Werner Company |
| Original release | |
| Network | Netflix |
| Related | |
| The Cosby Show A Different World | |
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.[1]
Cast and characters
- 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
- Maleah Joi Moon as Deborah Wayne
- Alijah Kai Haggins as Rashida
- Cornell Young IV as Shaquille
- Jordan Aaron Hall as Amir
- Kennedi Reece as Hazel
- Chibuikem Uche as Kojo
- 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
Episodes
| No. | Title | Directed by [3] | Written by [4] | Original release date [2] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | TBA | Debbie Allen | Felicia Pride | September 24, 2026 |
| 2 | TBA | Tiffany Johnson | Des Moran | September 24, 2026 |
| 3 | TBA | Angela Barnes | Lisa McQuillan | September 24, 2026 |
| 4 | TBA | Angela Barnes | Howard Jordan, Jr. | September 24, 2026 |
| 5 | TBA | Tiffany Johnson | Rashida "Sheedz" Olayiwola | September 24, 2026 |
| 6 | TBA | Tiffany Johnson | Des Moran & Ashley Laverne Jackson | September 24, 2026 |
| 7 | TBA | Nefertite Nguvu | Howard Jordan, Jr. & Tasha Armstead & Joel Armstead | September 24, 2026 |
| 8 | TBA | Nefertite Nguvu | Felicia Pride & Des Moran | September 24, 2026 |
| 9 | TBA | Bille Woodruff | Lisa McQuillan | September 24, 2026 |
| 10 | TBA | Bille Woodruff | Felicia Pride | September 24, 2026 |
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.[5][6]
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.[7] On March 28, 2025, Netflix ordered a pilot of the sequel series.[8]
Brandy will perform the theme song.[9]
Production was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic.[10] Filming in Atlanta began in February 2026 and wrapped in May 2026.[11]
