Netflix has officially begun production on a highly anticipated revival of A Different World, with the pilot now filming on the campus of Clark Atlanta University. More than 30 years after the original series ended, the show returns with a sequel focused on Deborah Wayne, daughter of fan-favorite characters Whitley and Dwayne Wayne, as she starts college.
The revival isn’t just about nostalgia—it’s a reflection of today’s HBCU experience. By filming at a real HBCU, Netflix places Clark Atlanta and its students at the center of a story meant to speak directly to Black Gen Z audiences.
“A Different World is back—and this time, it’s deeply rooted in the present and future of our culture,” said a statement shared through HBCU Gameday.
Felicia Pride, a writer and producer known for Queen Sugar and Grey’s Anatomy, is helming the series as creator and showrunner. Debbie Allen, who directed and produced the original, is returning to direct the pilot. Broadway star and Tony Award winner Maleah Joi Moon will star as Deborah Wayne.
The original series, which aired from 1987 to 1993, was a groundbreaking spin-off of The Cosby Show that captured the spirit of HBCU life at the fictional Hillman College. It tackled themes like racism, colorism, class, activism, and sexuality—boosting HBCU enrollment and reshaping pop culture narratives.
The new series situates that legacy in real time. Clark Atlanta University, part of the Atlanta University Center, is one of the nation’s most prominent HBCUs. The decision to film there reflects how the show aims to merge fiction with real Black academic life.
Netflix opted for a traditional pilot rather than committing straight to series, a sign the platform is taking care with tone and audience response. That careful rollout mirrors the heightened visibility of HBCUs in recent years, fueled by funding boosts, brand collaborations, and increased media attention.
Industry sources say the series will explore themes relevant to Black student life today—mental health, identity, social media, and activism—while honoring the spirit of the original.
“This isn’t just a trip down memory lane. It’s about relevance,” reads a feature from HBCU Gameday. “It’s a recognition that HBCUs are not relics of the past, but engines of innovation and identity.”
If picked up for a full season, the sequel could influence a new generation just as the original did—reminding audiences that HBCUs continue to shape culture, leadership, and education in America.
No release date has been announced.
