A Different World 2
New series coming to Netflix in 2026.
Free-spirited freshman Deborah Wayne, daughter of Dwayne and Whitley, is setting out to build her own legacy alongside a whole new generation of Hillman’s best and brightest.
The series will consist of 10 half-hour episodes and will follow Deborah as she enters her freshman year at the fictional Hillman College in Virginia, creating her own legacy while navigating the shadow of her parents. This reboot of A Different World will feature a new generation of Hillman’s best and brightest students.
The series stars Maleah Joi Moon (Hell’s Kitchen) as Deborah, Alijah Kai (Everybody Hates Chris) as Rashida, Chibuikem Uche (One Of Us Is Lying) as Kojo, Cornell Young IV (Doing Life) as Shaquille, Jordan Aaron Hall (The Idea of You) as Amir, and Kennedi Reece as Hazel.
The creative team includes Felicia Pride as showrunner and executive producer, with Debbie Allen returning as executive producer and director. The series is a reboot of the original show, which aired on NBC from 1987 to 1993, and aims to bring back the show’s impact on fans and new generations.
The original series contributed to an uptick in HBCU enrollment during its run. Data from the National Center for Education Statistics shows that admissions into HBCUs increased by 25% between 1976 and 1994, with the biggest bump occurring when the show aired.
