As a baby of the eighties, growing up in north eastern Montana, my world was not necessarily diverse. My family, my friends, our neighbors…. everyone looked like me. The only diversity I really saw was on television, and one of the few series I was allowed to watch as a child (that wasn’t specifically made for children) was A Different World.

Initially my parents began watching the series because it was (technically) a spin off of The Cosby Show – what is literally the only series I can remember not focused on a white family at the time (I know others existed, but again, I wasn’t allowed a lot of television). And while Denise started off as the main character, it was Whitley Gilbert, portrayed by the stunning and incomparable Jasmine Guy who stole the show.

And in the robot, she does it again. Any scene with Guy, most of which include Kadeem Hardison as Dwayne Wayne and their daughter Deborah (Deh・bore・ah) played by Maleah Joi Moon – who takes the crown of Hillman College with grace, dignity, and the perfect amount of sass.

Returning actors also include Darryl M. Bell as Ron Johnson, and Cree Summer as Freddie Brooks in major roles, along with several notable guest stars. But, just like the original, the heart of the series is really the students and all the messiness that comes with figuring out who you are. Deborah and her classmates deal with relationships, family, sexuality, faith, mental health, and the pressure of trying to decide what they actually want from their lives, all while Hillman is facing some pretty serious financial problems of its own.

Created by Felicia Pride, the new series also brings another familiar name into the Hillman family, with Debbie Allen, sister of Phylicia Rashad, serving as an executive producer. Hillman has changed because the world has changed, and these kids are dealing with things very differently than Whitley, Dwayne, Freddie, and Ron did. But somehow, it still feels like Hillman.

Amir Rodale (Jordan Aaron Hall) is out, proud, and completely comfortable being himself, sharing a wonderfully honest friendship with Hillman’s most popular student, Shaquille Johnson (Cornell Young IV), Ron’s son, and aspiring fashion designer Kojo Achebe (Chibuikem Uche). But not everyone is able to live as freely as Amir.

Elijah J. Roberts plays Jalen, a sexy junior from Houston, and the star point guard (and MVP) of the Hillman College basketball team. Trying to make sense of his sexuality and what it means for the life (and relationships) he’s trying to build for himself. It’s a beautiful storyline.

Ellington Kendal (Vincent Jamal Hooper) provides another surprising connection to the show’s past as the son of Denise Huxtable, and a potential love interest for Deborah. Even more intriguing, the season ends with Dwayne calling Denise and asking for her help, leaving the door wide open for Lisa Bonet to finally return to Hillman. And if one Huxtable can come back, why not a few more? Rudy, Vanessa, Clair… or maybe even Olivia? 

The series premiered on Netflix on September 24, 2026, exactly 39 years to the day after the original A Different World first aired and with any luck it will be renewed for another 6 to 8 seasons.

There will be more A Different World soon so…

Stay Tuned!