Whitley Gilbert (Jasmine Guy) and Dwayne Wayne (Kadeem Hardison) survived breakups, makeups, one unforgettable wedding, and everything the fictional Hillman College threw at them. Now the real test is sending their daughter there. Netflix’s “A Different World” returns to Hillman, with Maleah Joi Moon as Deborah Wayne, the youngest child of Whitley and Dwayne. Guy, Hardison, Cree Summer, Darryl M. Bell, and other favorites are returning as a new group of students gets its chance to fall in love, make mistakes, speak out, and discover themselves.
The 10-episode sequel to the 1987–93 sitcom premieres Sept. 24. “There couldn’t be a better time than now to reboot ‘A Different World,’ ” said executive producer Debbie Allen. “Our show changed lives, [boosted] the enrollment of historically black colleges, and gave a strong voice and platform for young Black America. The incredible fresh young talent we have discovered, paired with the lovable audience favorite OGs, makes this much-anticipated return a must-see on Netflix.”
Here's what we know about “A Different World,” including its casting director, confirmed cast, and casting opportunities.
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Deborah Wayne (Moon) faces a challenge most freshmen don’t: Her parents are considered Hillman royalty. As the free-spirited, rebellious daughter of Whitley and Dwayne, Deborah arrives at their alma mater determined to create her own path. But it’s tough to step out of the Wayne-Gilbert shadow on a campus where her parents’ legacy is everywhere.
Deborah’s freshman year soon becomes even more complicated. There’s Shaquille Johnson (Cornell Young IV), a rising football star with whom Deborah already has romantic history, along with Rashida (Alijah Kai), Kojo (Chibuikem Uche), Amir (Jordan Aaron Hall), and Hazel (Kennedi Reece), who become part of the new circle forming around her.
Hillman is also facing challenges of its own, including a budget crisis and funding cuts, as students confront issues affecting their campus and their futures.
The original cast is never far from the action. Whitley, Dwayne, Freddie, Ron, Kimberly, Jaleesa, Col. Taylor, Lena, and other familiar faces return as Deborah and her classmates start to make Hillman their own.
The cast includes:
- Maleah Joi Moon as Deborah Wayne
- Alijah Kai as Rashida
- Cornell Young IV as Shaquille
- Jordan Aaron Hall as Amir
- Kennedi Reece as Hazel
- Chibuikem Uche as Kojo
- Cliff “Method Man” Smith as Coach Coles
- Norman Nixon Jr. as Professor Baptiste
- Vincent Jamal Hooper as Ellington
- Elijah J. Roberts as Jalen
- Renee Harrison as Candace
- Famecia Ward as Nellie Gaines
- Dasan Frazier as Xavier
- Tichina Arnold as Darlene Duvall
- Joshua Suiter as Andre
- Raven Goodwin as Dr. Brooklyn Boyer
The returning cast includes:
- Jasmine Guy as Whitley Gilbert
- Kadeem Hardison as Dwayne Wayne
- Darryl M. Bell as Ron Johnson
- Cree Summer as Freddie Brooks
- Ajai Sanders as Gina Deveaux
- Karen Malina White as Charmaine Brown
- Charnele Brown as Dr. Kimberly Reese Boyer
- Jenifer Lewis as Professor Davenport
- Dawnn Lewis as Jaleesa Vinson-Taylor
- Glynn Turman as Col. Bradford Taylor
- Jada Pinkett Smith as Lena James
Kim Coleman is the casting director. She received Emmy nominations for her casting work on “American Crime” and “Lovecraft Country.” Additional credits include “Dear White People,” “She’s Gotta Have It,” and “Greenleaf.”
Coleman encourages actors, especially newcomers, to be prepared before opportunities come up. “Audition for projects big or small and focus on performance and training. Become so good that your talent is undeniable. And when the opportunity presents itself for you to audition or be reviewed, give us no choice but to say, ‘This person has something special; let’s see where they fit.’ ”
Production on Season 1 has wrapped, and it’s still too early to tell if the series will get renewed for additional seasons. However, you can stay on top of the latest casting opportunities with our weekly casting guides:
Bookmark these directories for even more opportunities:
And keep your auditioning skills sharp with these guides:
