March 30th 2025.
Netflix has officially given the green light for a pilot of a highly-anticipated sequel to the beloved 1987 sitcom, A Different World. The original show, which starred Jasmine Guy and Kadeem Hardison as the iconic couple Whitley Gilbert and Dwayne Wayne, captured the hearts of viewers with its portrayal of life at a historically black college or university (HBCU). And now, the new series will follow the experiences of their daughter as she navigates her own journey at an HBCU.
According to sources at Deadline, this is only the second time that Netflix has ordered a pilot for a new series. Unlike traditional network television, the majority of the streaming giant's shows are produced straight to series. However, the decision to have a pilot for the A Different World sequel speaks to the high anticipation and excitement surrounding the project.
The pilot comes with an impressive team behind it, with Felicia Pride serving as writer and executive producer, and industry veterans Debbie Allen, Mandy Summers, Tom Werner, Gina Prince-Bythewood, and Reggie Bythewood also on board as executive producers. Allen, who played the role of director throughout the original series, will reportedly reprise her role for the sequel. It's a reunion of sorts, as the Bythewoods, Allen, and Werner all have connections to the original show.
Speaking of the original series, it began as a spinoff of the wildly popular "The Cosby Show" and was meant to focus on the character of Lisa Huxtable and her classmates at Hillman College, a fictional HBCU. However, after actress Lisa Bonet left the show following her pregnancy, the focus shifted to an ensemble cast that included Hardison, Guy, Dawnn Lewis, Darryl M. Bell, Sinbad, Cree Summer, and Glynn Turman.
While the original series primarily took place at Hillman, it is currently unknown if the sequel will continue to follow the same setting or if it will shift to another HBCU. Fans have already begun to speculate and suggest potential cast members for the new show, with Marsai Martin being a popular choice.
However, despite the excitement surrounding the project, there is also some trepidation. As one fan pointed out, Netflix rarely orders pilot episodes, meaning that the show will have to be exceptional in order to secure a full season or even be released. Additionally, it is unclear how much involvement Bill Cosby will have in the sequel following his release from prison in 2021. But with plans to film the pilot in Atlanta in June, the show's creators will have to quickly fill any remaining roles.
This news comes after the successful run of the A Different World HBCU College Tour, which sold out and was extended due to high demand. It seems that the world is ready for more stories from the beloved HBCU community, and the A Different World sequel is sure to deliver.
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