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Joining Moon as Hillman’s new class are Alijah Kai as Rashida, Cornell Young IV as Shaquille, Jordan Aaron Hall as Amir, Kennedi Reece as Hazel and Chibuikem Uche as Kojo. Hip-Hop veteran and actor Cliff “Method Man” Smith also joins the Hillman universe as Coach Coles.

And Hillman wouldn’t be Hillman without some of its alumni coming home.

Along with Guy and Hardison returning as Whitley and Dwayne, Darryl M. Bell returns as Ron Johnson and Cree Summer reprises her role as Freddie Brooks. Netflix has also confirmed additional appearances from familiar faces including Ajai Sanders and Karen Malina White, helping connect the new story directly to the world generations of viewers grew up watching.

Behind the camera, the sequel has another major connection to the original. Debbie Allen, whose creative influence helped define A Different World, returns as an executive producer and directs the premiere episode. Felicia Pride, whose credits include Bel-Air and Grey’s Anatomy, serves as creator, showrunner, writer and executive producer. Original series writers and longtime filmmaking partners Gina Prince-Bythewood and Reggie Rock Bythewood are also executive producers.

The music is getting a generational update as well. Brandy has recorded a new rendition of the iconic A Different World theme song, adding her voice to a theme previously associated with performers including Aretha Franklin and Boyz II Men.

For Netflix, the project is more than simply revisiting a recognizable television property. The original A Different World, which aired for six seasons from 1987 through 1993, became an important representation of Black college life on mainstream television, combining comedy, relationships and coming-of-age stories with conversations surrounding race, politics, class and social issues.

Allen has also credited the original series with having a tangible impact beyond television, including encouraging interest and enrollment in historically Black colleges and universities.

The new series will have 10 single-camera, half-hour episodes, giving Deborah and her classmates room to create their own friendships, relationships, mistakes and Hillman memories rather than simply recreating those of the original cast.

That balance between honoring the past and creating something for today’s audience appears to be central to the revival. Moon recently said she hopes longtime fans will feel cared for by the new series, while the younger cast gets the opportunity to establish a Hillman experience of its own.

For fans who grew up with Whitley, Dwayne, Freddie and Ron, the return offers a chance to see where some of Hillman’s most memorable alumni are today. For viewers discovering the campus for the first time, Deborah Wayne and her classmates are opening the door to an entirely new Different World.

Hillman College officially welcomes its new class when A Different World premieres September 24 exclusively on Netflix.

The post Back to Hillman: Netflix’s ‘A Different World’ Sequel Welcomes a New Generation September 24 appeared first on The Hype Magazine.