The A Different World spin-off series is officially underway—but people aren’t exactly sure how they feel about it.
The upcoming project will serve as a spin-off of a spin-off. The Cosby Show spin-off turned cult favorite sitcom—which, in the first season, followed Lisa Bonet‘s Denise Huxtable and her new classmates as she attended the historically Black Hillman college and navigated a whole new life away from her parents (Phylicia Rashad‘s Clair Huxtable and Bill Cosby‘s Cliff Huxtable) in young adulthood—premiered in 1987, becoming a hit among quintessential Black television as it continued through the early ’90s.
It later became centered around Whitley Gilbert (Jasmine Guy) and Dwayne Wayne (Kadeem Hardison), who eventually tied the knot.
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Now, a new era of the beloved show is set to bring fresh life to an old classic, hopefully transforming a younger generation of viewers into fans in the process. The sequel series will reportedly chronicle the on-screen couple’s daughter’s time at an HBCU.
In May, Deadline reported that the pilot had cast six season regulars: Chibuikem Uche as Kojo, Maleah Joi Moon as Deborah, Cornell Young IV as Shaquille, Jordan Aaron Hall as Amir, Alijah Kai as Rashida, and Kennedi McClure as Hazel.
In an Instagram post shared by HBCU GO last week, more details about what fans can expect were revealed. “Get ready!” the caption of the upload opened.
“Netflix is greenlighting a pilot for a sequel to ‘A Different World,’ bringing the iconic HBCU experience back to the screen! Production is already underway at Clark Atlanta University, featuring Deborah Wayne, daughter of the legendary Whitley and Dwayne, as she starts her own college journey,” it continued. “Tony Award winner Maleah Joi Moon will star, ensuring this new chapter carries on the original’s legacy of Black excellence and vibrant campus life. Keep an eye out for those familiar Clark Atlanta scenes when the pilot hits Netflix!”
Fans quickly sounded off in the comment section with their varying reactions.
Many were hyped about the upcoming release, writing things like, “This is so cool!” “I would love to be a part of this!! Hopefully it’s good and tell the real stories of the HBCU students,” “So geeked with each post I see about this!” and “❤️🙌🔥👏😍This is going to be great! I can’t wait to see it!”
Despite the excitement, others were hesitant on what a new spin on an already iconic show could mean for its enduring legacy. “Idk, the original was so good. Some things should be left alone,” one admitted.
“Please stop doing spinoffs,” an additional Instagram user pleaded, with yet another surmising, “Won’t be good as the original!”
Still, there was a resounding positive response among those promising to tune in before preemptively counting it out. “🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 I like this concept but the original was amazing I don’t think anything can top it but I’m gonna give it a chance,” someone added, with another person agreeing, “I’ll give it a chance because of the legacy. Hopefully it’s similar to the Bel Air (Fresh Prince) Revamp.”
Two more hoped, “I agree but the culture needs this. My generation was influenced to get an education but this generation is influenced to be an influencer,” and “Yes 🔥l🙌. Im here for it and love it. Hopefully it inspires a new generation of future HBCU students.”
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