Netflix is bringing the familiar family sequel, A Different World, but with an unexpected creative twist in a 2025 new series, cast, and creative team.
A Different World, a spin-off of The Cosby Show, played for about four decades, setting a record and marking its place in TV history. Netflix is adopting this sitcom and bringing it to a new generation to enjoy in the US.
The series will return the original director and showrunners, Debbie Allen and EP Felicia Pride (from Grey’s Anatomy, Bel-Air). Reggie Rock Bythewood, Gina Prince-Bythewood, Mandy Summers and Tom Werner are coming back as the series and EP writers.
Synopsis
The new series will follow Dwayne and Whitley’s daughter, who is now a freshman. Deborah Wayne is getting into the real world, away from her parents’ comfort, and starting out her life. Can she cope with what life throws her way?
The refreshing cast of A Different World 2025 spin-off is Maleah Joi Moon as Deborah Wayne, Alijah Kai as Rashida, Chibuikem Uche as Kojo, Cornell Young IV as Shaquille, Jordan Aaron Hall as Amir, and Kennedi Reece as Hazel. Other cast members from the original include Dwayne Wayne (Kadeem Hardison) and Whitley Gilbert (Jasmine Guy).
Meet the cast of A Different World Reboot, Coming to Netflix
Maleah Joi Moon as Deborah Wayne
Maleah Joi Moon was cast as Deborah Wayne in the A Different World Netflix reboot in 2025. Last year, she featured as Ali in the Broadway musical Hell’s Kitchen alongside Alicia Keys at the Shubert Theatre. Her previous series was Disney Television Discovers: Talent Showcase, where she played Faye in 2021.
She was awarded a Tony as the best lead actress in a musical and another award for Best Musical Theater Album 2024 for her vocals in Hell’s Kitchen.
Alijah Kai Haggins as Rashida
Kai is the daughter of iconic actress Tichina Arnold and Grammy Award-winning producer Carvin Haggin. The 21-year-old will play Rashida in the Netflix reboot. She was in the TV drama The Sound of Christmas (2022) and Abducted at an HBCU: A Black Girl Missing Movie (2024). Her recent work was Can You Feel the Beat: The Lisa Lisa Story (2025). When not onscreen, she is in the studio cooking some sick music for her highly anticipated debut album.
Chibuikem Uche as Kojo
Apart from appearing on “One of Us is Lying,” he has also appeared in series like “East New York” in 2022, and his most recent, “Paradise.”
As Ashley, he appeared on two episodes of the 2024 “All America” series. Uche is a massive lover of hip-hop music, with Kid Cudi being his most-played artist in 2021. He also enjoys the outdoors, such as the beach, a lovely sunset, and aesthetic landscapes.
Cornell Young IV as Shaquille
Cornell Young is back on screen with his locks longer than ever. He has appeared in two series 2025 series, “Forever” and “Beyond the Gates”.
Jordan Aaron Hall as Amir
Hall has been active in short films, including Rustin (2023), The Idea of You (2024), and Graduation Day (2025). His last series casting was in The Equalizer. His interests in art go beyond being on screen, as he is a writer and director. He is the founder and Ceo of a production company, FivehundredWest.
Kennedi Reece as Hazel
She is famous for playing Gabriella Foster on Charged. She is a music theatre major and an alumnus of Howard University.
Is there any cast you are excited to see in A Different World 2025 spin-off? Share your thoughts in the comments
