Netflix is dusting off the classic ’90s HBCU sitcom A Different World, giving it a full series order for a sequel that’s already gearing up to film next year.
Netflix revives the classic show A Different World with a new series focusing on Deborah Wayne's journey at Hillman College.
The streaming giant has greenlit 10 half-hour episodes for the first season, with production scheduled to roll in Atlanta from February through late April 2026. That timeline points to a premiere sometime in late 2026 or early 2027.
The new series centers on Deborah Wayne, the daughter of the original show’s beloved couple Whitley Gilbert and Dwayne Wayne. Maleah Joi Moon, a Tony Award winner fresh off Hell’s Kitchen, will play the lead as Deborah arrives at Hillman College as a freshman.
Felicia Pride, a veteran showrunner known for work on Grey’s Anatomy and Queen Sugar, is running the show. Behind the scenes, Debbie Allen—an original cast member—will direct three episodes including the pilot. Oscar-winning filmmaker Gina Prince-Bythewood and producer Tom Werner are also on board as executive producers.
While the original cast members haven’t been officially confirmed to return, insiders say talks are happening. The new series will maintain the single-camera comedy format of the original NBC show that aired from 1987 to 1993, keeping the focus on Black college life and culture.
The timing is noteworthy: nearly 40 years separate the original premiere from this sequel. It’s part of Netflix’s wider push to resurrect beloved ’80s and ’90s sitcoms with fresh angles for modern audiences. The platform has already licensed all six original seasons through early 2029.
