Netflix is bringing fans back to a familiar sitcom world.
A sequel series to "A Different World," the classic 1980s and 1990s comedy that was itself a spinoff of "The Cosby Show," is in the works at Netflix. On Nov. 10, the streamer announced it has given a series order to the follow-up, which in its first season will consist of 10 half-hour episodes.
The new series centers on Tony-winning "Hell's Kitchen" star Maleah Joi Moon in the role of Deborah Wayne, the "free-spirited, well-intentioned, yet rebellious youngest child" of Dwayne Wayne (Kadeem Hardison) and Whitley Gilbert (Jasmine Guy) from the original "A Different World."
When Deborah "enters her freshman year at Hillman College, she finds the shadow of her parents difficult to escape as 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," Netflix said.
Lisa Bonetreprised her "Cosby Show" character, Denise Huxtable, in the first season of "A Different World," which premiered in 1987 and revolved around a fictional historically Black college. The show was created by Bill Cosby. Bonet left after Season 1, but the series continued for five additional seasons, airing on NBC until 1993.Marisa Tomei,SinbadandJada Pinkett Smithalso had roles on the show.
Alijah Kai, Cornell Young, Kennedi Reece, Jordan Aaron Hall and Chibuikem Uche will also star in the sequel series, for which original series director Debbie Allen is returning.Gina Prince-Bythewood, the award-winning director of "Love & Basketball" and "The Woman King," will executive produce.
Allen toldNetflix's Tudumthere "couldn't be a better time than now to reboot 'A Different World,'" adding that the original show "changed lives, tripled the enrollment of historically black colleges and gave a strong voice and platform for Young Black America."
Debbie Allensays Whoopi Goldberg's 'A Different World' episode saved lives during HIV/AIDS epidemic
News of the sequel series order comes daysafter Raven-Symoné, who played Olivia Kendall on "The Cosby Show" and "A Different World," made the case for still recognizing the impact of Cosby's television work despite the sexual assault allegations against the comedian that later came to light.
Spooky season is officially over, and the holidays are in sight. Stars are stepping out at events like the Los Angeles County Museum of Art's Art + Film Gala to kick off November, a month whose highlights will include the highly anticipated premiere of "Wicked: For Good."Scroll through for the best celebrity photos of November so far, starting with Jennifer Lawrence, left, and Robert Pattinson attending the New York premiere of "Die My Love" on Nov. 1, 2025." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
Suki Waterhouse, left, and Robert Pattinson " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Jennifer Lawrence " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Martin Scorsese, left, and Francesca Scorsese " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Steve Buscemi, left, and Karen Ho " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Kasmere Trice, left, and LaKeith Stanfield " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Zoey Deutch attends a Film Independent screening of "Nouvelle Vague" at Tudum Theater on Nov. 1 in Hollywood." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Dakota Fanning attends the 28th SCAD Savannah Film Festival on Nov. 1 in Georgia." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Rian Johnson " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Emilia Clarke attends the Global Gift Gala London at the Kimpton Fitzroy Hotel on Nov. 1." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Paris Hilton attends the Los Angeles County Museum of Art's Art + Film Gala in Los Angeles on Nov. 1." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Demi Lovato " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Angela Bassett " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Emma Roberts " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Tessa Thompson" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Quinta Brunson" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Queen Latifah " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Demi Moore " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Damson Idris " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Salma Hayek " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Elle Fanning" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Cynthia Erivo " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Charlie Hunnam" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Jennifer Lawrence, Cynthia Erivo, Paris Hilton in the best celebrity photos from November
Spooky season is officially over, and the holidays are in sight. Stars are stepping out at events like the Los Angeles County Museum of Art's Art + Film Gala to kick off November, a month whose highlights will include the highly anticipated premiere of "Wicked: For Good."Scroll through for the best celebrity photos of November so far, starting with Jennifer Lawrence, left, and Robert Pattinson attending the New York premiere of "Die My Love" on Nov. 1, 2025.
"Separate the creator from the creation," the "That's So Raven" star said on the "Hate to Break It to Ya" podcast. "And that's just where I live. The creation changed America. Changed television."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:'A Different World' is coming back as Netflix reveals sequel series
