AceShowbiz - Class is set to resume this fall at Hillman College with the highly anticipated sequel to the classic sitcom A Different World. Netflix revealed on Wednesday that the new series, continuing the legacy of the original 1987-1993 NBC show, will debut later this year.

The original series, which focused on students attending a historically Black college, returns with a mix of familiar faces and fresh talent. Several actors from the original cast will reprise their iconic roles, joining a new ensemble portraying the next generation of Hillman students. Additionally, the creative team behind the revival includes alumni who worked on the initial series, keeping the spirit and tone consistent.

The plot centers on Maleah Joi Moon as Deborah, the youngest child of Whitley (played by Jasmine Guy) and Dwayne Wayne (played by Kadeem Hardison). Deborah embarks on her first year at Hillman, following in her parents’ footsteps, but struggles to forge her own identity while navigating college life. According to the show’s official logline, 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.”

The new cast also features Alijah Kai, Cornell Young IV, Jordan Aaron Hall, Kennedi Reece, and Chibuikem Uche. Returning original cast members include Jasmine Guy, Kadeem Hardison, Darryl M. Bell, and Cree Summer. Additional new additions to the cast are Vincent Jamal Hooper, Elijah J. Roberts, Renee Harrison, Famecia Ward, Dasan Frazier, and Tichina Arnold, among others. Several other alumni such as Karen Malina White, Ajai Sanders, Dawnn Lewis, Glynn Turman, Charnele Brown, Jenifer Lewis, and Jada Pinkett Smith will also reprise their previous roles.

Netflix secured the series in 2025, wrapping up filming of the 10-episode season in April. The revival is helmed by showrunner and executive producer Felicia Pride, known for her work on Bel-Air and Grey’s Anatomy. Executive producers also include several original series veterans such as Debbie Allen, who directed much of the original run and returned to direct three episodes of the new season. Other executive producers are Reggie Rock Bythewood, Gina Prince-Bythewood, Tom Werner, and Mandy Summers.

Alongside the announcement for A Different World, Netflix revealed several new series coming to its platform following its upfront presentation. These include The Retrievals from creator Molly Smith Metzler, Barbaric based on the comic by Michael Moreci and Nathan Gooden, Myron Bolitar from David E. Kelley and author Harlan Coben, and the teen drama Calabasas from Bridgerton creator Chris Van Dusen and celebrity Kim Kardashian.

Fans of the original show can look forward to revisiting Hillman College and experiencing the challenges and triumphs of a new generation, all while staying true to the legacy that made A Different World a beloved cultural touchstone.