Netflix’s new sequel to A Different World, titled A Different World: The New Class, has arrived with high expectations. The original series, which first aired in 1987, was a groundbreaking show that followed a group of African American students at a fictional historically Black college. It resonated deeply with many viewers, influencing their college choices, career paths, and personal development. Kadeem Hardison, who played the charismatic Dwayne Wayne in the original series, has noted that people still approach him about the show’s impact, even nearly 40 years later. The sequel follows Deborah Wayne, the youngest daughter of Dwayne and Whitley, as she begins her freshman year at Hillman College, a fictional HBCU (historically Black college or university). The new cast includes Cornell Young IV, who plays Shaquille Johnson, the son of original character Ron Johnson. Young shared that being immersed in an HBCU environment during filming—locations included real schools like Clark Atlanta, Spelman College, and Morehouse—made him reconsider his own college decision. The show explores modern themes such as social media, isolation, immigration, campus safety, sexual orientation, and sexual health, alongside more traditional coming-of-age topics like grief, heartbreak, friendship, and the challenge of figuring out one’s identity away from home. Felicia Pride, the show’s creator and showrunner, grew up watching the original series and aims to create a similar impact for a new generation. She and the new cast are focused on creating a version of Hillman College that resonates with today’s viewers, rather than simply recreating the original. The new series has 10 episodes, a shorter format compared to the original, which typically had more than 20 episodes per season. This change reflects the evolving nature of television and the desire to tell a more condensed, focused story. Hardison, who plays a role in the sequel, emphasized that the new cast should be given time and grace. He compared the comparisons between the original and new casts to comparing Michael Jordan and LeBron James—two great athletes from different eras who both left their mark on the game. He believes that each generation brings its own strengths and that the new A Different World should be judged on its own merits.