Netflix Sequel to ‘A Different World’ Films Pilot in Atlanta This Summer

Exciting news for fans of the classic show “A Different World”! Netflix is gearing up to film a pilot for a sequel right here in Atlanta this summer. The cast hasn’t been revealed yet, but Productionlist.com and the local union IATSE 479 have confirmed that the pilot will be shot in our city.

For those who may not know, the original “A Different World” aired from 1987 to 1993 and was the first TV series set at a historically Black college. It was a spinoff of the beloved 80s sitcom “The Cosby Show” and recently started streaming on Netflix.

The upcoming sequel will take us back to the fictional Hillman College and will follow the daughter of original characters Whitley and Dwayne, played by Jasmine Guy and Kadeem Hardison. Excitingly, Felicia Pride, known for her work on “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Queen Sugar,” has been brought on board as the executive producer and showrunner. Plus, Debbie Allen, who worked on the original series, will return as a producer and is expected to direct the pilot.

Typically, Netflix gives entire seasons to new shows, but it seems they want to test the waters first with this sequel. Instead of committing to a full season right away, they’ll see how the pilot turns out and gauge the chemistry among the cast before making a decision.

It’s interesting to note that back in the day, broadcast networks used to rely heavily on pilot episodes before the era of streaming began. They’d film multiple pilots and then choose which ones to turn into full seasons. But now, with platforms like Netflix releasing new shows regularly, the process has evolved.

So, mark your calendars for the “A Different World” sequel pilot coming to Atlanta this summer. Stay tuned for more updates on this highly anticipated project!