Pack your bags: You’ve officially been accepted to Hillman College for the fall semester. A Different World — the upcoming sequel series to the beloved television classic — is celebrating its Sept. 24 debut with the Road to Hillman tour, a series of on-campus events at schools across the country this fall.
The new series follows Deborah Wayne (Maleah Joi Moon), the youngest daughter of Hillman legends Dwayne Wayne (Kadeem Hardison) and Whitley Gilbert (Jasmine Guy), as she begins her own journey at the fictional HBCU alongside a new generation of students, played by Alijah Kai, Chibuikem Uche, Cornell Young IV, Jordan Aaron Hall, and Kennedi Reece. “There couldn’t be a better time than now to reboot A Different World,” says Debbie Allen, original series director who is returning as executive producer and will direct the premiere episode of the sequel series.
“A lot of us are feeling — especially our young people — disconnected,” adds showrunner and EP Felicia Pride. “There’s a lack of hope. And our show really provides a lot of hope, a lot of joy, a lot of warmth, and a lot of community.”
Feel that community spirit for yourself with the Road to Hillman. The tour kicks off in Houston on Sept. 4 with a live Nightcap podcast taping featuring Shannon Sharpe and Chad Ochocinco during the Labor Day Classic hosted with HBCUs Prairie View A&M University and Texas Southern University, followed by a Sept. 10 stop at Chicago State University celebrating Black college culture and community. On Sept. 18, Hampton University and Norfolk State University will co-host a Virginia event centered on Hillman’s fictional roots, legacy, and the next generation of students, while in Washington, DC, Howard University will welcome Debbie Allen and Kennedi Reece for an intimate conversation with the fine arts department on Sept. 20.
Finally, A Different World will hit Atlanta, premiering at Spelman College on Sept. 21, followed by a Sept. 22 debut as part of Morehouse College’s Human Rights Film Festival.
Study up on the Road to Hillman tour dates, coming to a college near you. And, for an extra dose of Hillman pride, create your custom university badge using the official TikTok effect here.
Prairie View A&M University
Chicago State University
Hampton University
Howard University
Morehouse College Human Rights Film Festival
Deborah, the daughter of Hillman legends Dwayne Wayne and Whitley Gilbert, arrives on campus ready to experience college on her own terms. But growing up in the shadow of three iconic alumni comes with its own set of expectations. Determined to forge a path that’s uniquely hers, she dives headfirst into freshman year, making new friends, finding her voice, and creating memories with the next generation of Hillman students.
Back to school is right around the corner: A Different World will debut on Sept. 24, exclusively on Netflix. Stay tuned to Tudum for more updates on the road to Hillman, and stream the original series now.
