ATLANTA — Production has officially wrapped on Netflix’s highly anticipated sequel to the beloved 1980s sitcom A Different World, with filming taking place in Atlanta.
The new series returns to the fictional historically Black college (HBCU) Hillman College, following the lives and adventures of a fresh generation of students navigating campus life in the 21st century.
Filming Ends for A Different World in Atlanta
Like the original show, it will explore themes of friendship, growth, and the unique experiences of college at an HBCU.
The story centers on Deborah, the rebellious daughter of original characters Whitley Gilbert and Dwayne Wayne.
She is portrayed by Hell’s Kitchen alum Maleah Joi Moon, while Jasmine Guy and Kadeem Hardison reprise their iconic roles as her parents. The 10-episode comedy series follows Deborah and her friends as they face new challenges on a modern college campus.
Debbie Allen, who directed 83 episodes of the original series and served as its primary director from 1989 to 1993, returns as both a director and executive producer.
Filming signs for “Hillman College” appeared around Clark Atlanta University last July, sparking excitement on the real HBCU campus. Clark Atlanta University President George T. French Jr. shared his enthusiasm at the time, noting how meaningful it was to see the iconic signs on campus.
“I was ecstatic because I was raised during that period, getting ready to go to college,” French said. “To now be on the campus of Clark Atlanta University and to see these Hillman signs, it’s beautiful.”
The original A Different World, which aired from 1987 to 1993, is credited with helping boost HBCU enrollment by 26% during its run. French expressed hope that the new series will continue to inspire young people to consider HBCUs.
“We are growing, busting at the seams, and it really all goes back to intentional efforts like ‘A Different World,’” he said.
Local fans and alumni echoed the sentiment. One Clark Atlanta University graduate described the original show as groundbreaking for showing Black students pursuing careers in engineering, medicine, and the arts.
“It’s still relevant, and it’s going to be relevant forever,” she said.
Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Film and Entertainment Director Cardellia Hunter also credited the series with influencing her own path: “I grew up on ‘A Different World,’ which prompted me to go to Grambling State University, a HBCU.”
Netflix has not yet announced a release date for the sequel series. Additional cast members, including Cliff “Method Man” Smith, have joined the project as production concluded.
This reboot arrives more than three decades after the original series ended, bringing nostalgia for longtime fans while introducing Hillman College to a new audience.
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