A Different World Reboot Brings Hillman College Back to Life on Netflix This September
Reel Perspectives
May 29, 2026
This September, a new class is ready to make history. Hillman College is back.
The halls of Hillman College are buzzing once again. Netflix has unveiled exciting new details for the highly anticipated reboot of A Different World, premiering September 24, bringing audiences back to one of television's most beloved campuses while introducing a vibrant new generation of students ready to leave their mark.
Set against the rich traditions, humor, and challenges of life at an HBCU, A Different World returns with heart, purpose, and a renewed focus on the diverse experiences that shape Black life today. The series serves as both a continuation of the groundbreaking original and a bold new chapter designed for a new era.
At the center of the reboot is Deborah Wayne (Maleah Joi Moon), the youngest daughter of iconic Hillman couple Whitley Gilbert and Dwayne Wayne. Lovingly sheltered but fiercely independent, Deborah arrives on campus as a free spirit with big dreams, a passion for the spotlight, and plenty to discover about herself along the way.
Joining Deborah is an engaging ensemble of students who represent the many perspectives that define today's college experience. Among them are Rashida Duvall (Alijah Kai), a determined first-generation criminal justice major; Shaquille Johnson (Cornell Young IV), a highly sought-after athlete wrestling with expectations and legacy; Amir Rodale (Jordan Aaron Hall), a brilliant psychology major who finds it easier to solve everyone else's problems than his own; Hazel Henry (Kennedi Reece), a small-town church-raised student exploring her independence; and Kojo Achebe (Chibuikem Uche), a stylish Ghanaian-Nigerian entrepreneur chasing his fashion dreams while finding confidence in his vision.
Longtime fans will be thrilled to see the return of several beloved Hillman favorites. Jasmine Guy reprises her iconic role as Whitley Gilbert, while Kadeem Hardison returns as the legendary Dwayne Wayne. Also returning are Cree Summer as Freddie Brooks and Darryl M. Bell as Ron Johnson, bringing generations of Hillman alumni together in a celebration of legacy, friendship, and growth.
With its blend of humor, drama, romance, and social commentary, the new A Different World aims to capture the spirit that made the original series a cultural landmark while speaking directly to today's generation of students. The reboot promises to honor the past while embracing the future, centered on the richness and complexity of the Black experience.
The series comes from acclaimed showrunner, writer, and executive producer Felicia Pride, alongside executive producer and director Debbie Allen. Additional executive producers include Tom Werner, Reggie Rock Bythewood, Gina Prince-Bythewood, and Mandy Summers.
A Different World premieres September 24, exclusively on Netflix.
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