A legendary TV campus is coming back. Netflix is heading back to Hillman College with a new “A Different World” sequel series, bringing the world of the classic sitcom into a new era. This time the story follows a fresh class of students figuring out college life at the fictional HBCU that made the original show so beloved. There are also some real connections to the original series, including the daughter of Dwayne Wayne and Whitley Gilbert stepping into the spotlight. If you grew up watching the original or you’re just curious what a modern version of Hillman looks like, here’s everything to know about the sequel series before it hits Netflix.

How to watch ‘A Different World’

• When: Premieres Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, at 3:01 a.m. ET
• TV: Netflix
• Stream: Watch with a subscription to Netflix.
• From anywhere: Watch with a subscription to a VPN.

Everything you need to know about the ‘A Different World’ sequel series

When does the ‘A Different World’ sequel series come out?

Netflix has set a Thursday, Sept. 24 premiere date for the “A Different World” sequel series, just in time for back-to-school season. Season 1 will consist of 10 single-camera half-hour episodes, with all episodes dropping at the same time.

Can you watch the ‘A Different World’ sequel series for free once it starts streaming?

Probably not. Netflix doesn’t offer a free trial anymore, so you’ll need a subscription if you want to watch the sequel series when it premieres. Plans currently start at $8 per month with ads, $18 per month ad-free, or $25 per month for the Premium tier. Once the show lands, it’ll be available on whichever Netflix plan you’re already using.

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Watch the trailer for the ‘A Different World’ sequel series?

What is the ‘A Different World’ sequel series about?

The sequel heads back to the fictional HBCU Hillman College, the same campus that anchored the original “A Different World” during its run on NBC from 1987 to 1993. This time the story centers on Deborah Wayne, the daughter of original characters Dwayne Wayne and Whitley Gilbert. She shows up at Hillman as a freshman and quickly realizes that having two legendary Hillman alumni for parents comes with a lot of expectations. Their legacy is everywhere on campus, and she ends up trying to figure out who she is while navigating college life with a whole new group of Hillman students.

The new show appears to be following in the footsteps of the original, picking up on the vibe of the ’90s sitcom in a modern college setting. New friendships, new personalities, same idea that Hillman is where young people show up and slowly figure out who they’re going to become. And yes, there are even a few familiar faces coming back. Jada Pinkett Smith is set to reprise her role as Lena James, the outspoken Hillman student who joined the original series during its later seasons.

A Different World

September 24, 2026

Deborah Wayne enters her freshman year at her parents’ HBCU alma mater and finds their shadow difficult to escape. She sets out to build her own legacy – while having the time of her life – alongside a whole new generation of Hillman’s best and brightest.

Get a first look at ‘A Different World’ sequel series?

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Who stars in the ‘A Different World’ sequel series?

Tony Award winner Maleah Joi Moon leads the new cast as Deborah Wayne, the daughter of Dwayne Wayne and Whitley Gilbert, and the main character of the sequel series. The rest of the new class of Hillman students includes Alijah Kai as Rashida, Chibuikem Uche as Kojo, Cornell Young IV as Shaquille, Jordan Aaron Hall as Amir, and newcomer Kennedi Reece as Hazel.

There are also several returning connections to the original show. In addition to the aforementioned Jada Pinkett Smith, original cast members Jasmine Guy and Kadeem Hardison are also expected to appear, bringing Whitley Gilbert and Dwayne Wayne back into the Hillman world. Cree Summer and Darryl M. Bell, who played Freddie Brooks and Ron Johnson in the original series, have also been reported as returning in some capacity.

How does the ‘A Different World’ sequel series connect to the original show?

The new series picks up in the same world introduced in “A Different World.” The original show started as a spinoff of “The Cosby Show” and ran for six seasons on NBC, following students at Hillman College as they dealt with friendships, relationships, and all the chaos that comes with college life.

The sequel introduces a brand-new group of students, but the connection to the original story runs right through Deborah Wayne, the daughter of Dwayne Wayne and Whitley Gilbert. In other words, Hillman still feels like Hillman. A new class shows up, people try to figure themselves out, friendships form, mistakes get made, and life happens along the way.

A Different World

September 24, 1987

A Different World is a spin-off series from The Cosby Show and originally centered on Denise Huxtable and the life of students at Hillman College, a fictional mixed but historically black college in the state of Virginia. After Bonet’s departure in the first season, the remainder of the series primarily focused more on Southern belle Whitley Gilbert and mathematics whiz Dwayne Wayne. The series frequently depicted members of the major historically black fraternities and sororities.