A Different World (2026) reboots Lisa Bonet’s sitcom, which spawned from The Cosby Show, back from when Bill Cosby was still popular and not… well, everyone knows that story.
I’d forgotten about any other characters in the intervening almost-40 years, but this turns out to be more of a sequel, since the original’s Dwayne and Whitley’s daughter, Deborah (Maleah Joi Moon), is entering Hillman College, and both Jasmine Guy and Kadeem Hardison show up early on in this, as they drop her off… and hang around for a while.
Deborah states her name is “De-BORE-ah”. Well, I hope she doesn’t bore us, but it would just make me want to call her ‘Deborah’ in the usual way, as in, “Your name is Deborah. It never suited yer.”
As we’re introduced to the students, Deb has to share with a roommate – when she expected to be living alone, there’s financial problems for the students which initially seems quickly glossed over, and in episode 2, they actually start to learn things.
I’m just not sure who’s the audience for this. It doesn’t offer any social commentary and is quite bland. Plus, they’re meant to be college age, and all look about 25+. Yet, it’s like they’re meant to be 18, and when Deborah has Shaquille (Cornell Young IV) back in her dorm, and her roommate returns, the latter flips out! Why?
And aren’t there any white people at this college?
I do hope that Bill Cosby doesn’t earn money from this, although he was the original creator. In 2026, it’s strange to think how massive a star he was.
Thanks to our friends at Netflix for the screener prior to release.
A Different World 2026 is on Netflix from today.
It’s not yet available to pre-order on Blu-ray or DVD, but when it is, it will be listed on the New DVD, Blu-ray, 3D and 4K releases UK page.
Check out the trailer below:
Detailed specs:
Cert: 
Running time: 30 minutes per episode (10 episodes)
Release date: September 24th 2026
Studio: Netflix
Format: 2.00:1
Series Directors: Tiffany Johnson, Angela Barnes, Nefertite Nguvu, Bille Woodruff, Debbie Allen
Producers: Terry Ham, James Williams, Aida Kattan
Writers: Joel Armstead, Tasha Armstead, Felicia Pride, Ashley Laverne Jackson, Des Moran, Howard Jordan Jr, Lisa McQuillan, Rashida Olayiwola
Creator: Felicia Pride
Showrunner: Felicia Pride
Music: Oak Felder
Cast:
Deborah Wayne: Maleah Joi Moon
Rashida Duvall: Alijah Kai
Shaquille Johnson: Cornell Young IV
Amir Rodale: Jordan Aaron Hall
Hazel Henry: Kennedi Reece
Kojo Achebe: Chibuikem Uche
Whitley Gilbert: Jasmine Guy
Dwayne Wayne: Kadeem Hardison
Ron Johnson: Darryl M Bell
Freddie Brooks: Cree Summer
Reviewer of movies, videogames and music since 1994. Aortic valve operation survivor from the same year. Running DVDfever.co.uk since 2000. Nobel Peace Prize winner 2021.