If you recall, we spoke about a proposed ‘A Different World’ sequel that was in the works over at Netflix! Well it appears that CASTING has started and that they have a group of rising stars for the cast!

The streamer has cast six rising stars in lead roles for the pilot episode, with Maleah Joi Moon set to play Deborah Wayne, the daughter of Dwayne Wayne and Whitley Gilbert. Joining her are Chibuikem Uche (One of Us Is Lying) as Kojo, Cornell Young as Shaquille, Jordan Aaron Hall as Amir, Alijah Kai Higgins (Mixed-ish) as Haggins, and Kennedi McClure as Hazel.

The sequel, from writer/executive producer Felicia Pride (Bel-Air, Grey’s Anatomy), picks up years later and centers on Deborah as she begins her own journey at an HBCU. While it’s not confirmed whether Hillman College will return, that was the original vision for the series.

Netflix has declined to comment, but sources confirm the casting and that production is eyeing a June shoot in Atlanta.

As previously reported, this pilot is a continuation of the iconic 1987 sitcom A Different World, which followed Denise Huxtable (Lisa Bonet) as she enrolled at the fictional HBCU, Hillman College. After Bonet’s departure post-season one, the series shifted focus to a now-iconic ensemble—Jasmine Guy, Kadeem Hardison, Dawnn Lewis, Sinbad, Charnele Brown, Cree Summer, and Glynn Turman—and evolved into one of the most impactful portrayals of Black college life on television.

Also executive producing are Debbie Allen, Tom Werner, Gina Prince-Bythewood, Reggie Bythewood, and Mandy Summers—many of whom helped shape the original series and its legacy.

Though Netflix typically favors straight-to-series orders, this comedy pilot is a one-off—meant to serve as a tone check and chemistry test for the new ensemble. And with names like Allen and Pride at the helm, they’re clearly taking the legacy seriously.

No word yet on whether any original cast members will appear, but with the creative team from the original back in place, and a new class of talent stepping up, the spirit of Hillman might be walking across the screen once again. [BlexMedia]

We have to get behind this and actually WATCH the pilot! Otherwise it will go the way of so many other GREAT BLACK SHOWS that have come and gone way before their TIME! Debbie Allen who all but REINVIGORATED the original is on BOARD, so we KNOW it will be AWESOME and most of the original cast are still alive and thriving, so there is always ROOM for them to POP in here and there to add some more NOSTALGIA to this GEM!

NONETHELESS, let’s support this SHOW!!!