Netflix has officially greenlit a pilot for A Different World, a sequel to the beloved 1987 sitcom starring Jasmine Guy and Kadeem Hardison as Whitley Gilbert and Dwayne Wayne.
The new series will follow their daughter’s journey at an HBCU.
According to Deadline, this marks Netflix’s second known pilot pickup following their 2023 comedy pilot “Little Sky” which was impacted by the Writers Guild of America Strike.
Sources reveal that the Little Sky and A Different World pilots are one-offs and not part of a broader strategy shift. A pilot is often used as a proof of concept to test tone, cast chemistry, and comedic timing.
As Variety reported, “the plan is [to] shoot the pilot at the beginning of the summer to get a better sense of the show’s tone and of the chemistry among the ensemble cast….an individual with knowledge of the situation says that Netflix does not plan to engage in a traditional pilot season like the broadcast networks, in which shows are competing for a limited number of slots.”
The A Different World sequel is led by writer/executive producer Felicia Pride.
Other executive producers for the series include, Debbie Allen, who directed and produced the original series, Mandy Summers, Gina Prince-Bythewood and Reggie Bythewood, both of whom wrote for the original series, and Tom Werner of The Carsey-Werner Company, who executive produced the original series.
Filming is set to begin in June in Atlanta, Georgia. Casting for Deborah and other college students, aged 18-20, is underway. It’s unclear whether the beloved fictional Hillman College will make a return.
A sequel series for A Different World has been in many stages of early development over the years, but it was plagued by Bill Cosby’s sexual assault allegations and legal issues.
