PRODUCTION FOR NETFLIX'S "A DIFFERENT WORLD" SEQUEL IS OFFICIALLY UNDERWAY IN ATLANTA

· Netflix announced today that production has begun on Netflix's sequel series of A Different World in Atlanta, Georgia. The show will explore the lives and loves of a new generation at the iconic fictional HBCU.

· The alumni cast Kadeem Hardison (A Different World, White Men Can't Jump), Jasmine Guy (A Different World, Harlem Nights), Darryl M. Bell (A Different World, School Daze), and Cree Summer (A Different World, Atlantis: The Lost Empire) will be joined by Charnele Brown (Old Gray Mare, The Reading, A Different World) and Jenifer Lewis (black-ish, What's Love Got to Do with It, and GOAT) of the original series.

· Additional guest stars to include Vincent Jamal Hooper as Ellington, Elijah J. Roberts as Jalen, Renee Harrison as Candace, Famecia Ward as Nellie Gaines, and Dasan Onyx Frazier as Xavier.

· Additional cast to be announced at a later date.

· New Cast Announcements:

o Charnele Brown (Old Gray Mare, The Reading, A Different World) as Dr Kimberly Reese Boyer

o Jenifer Lewis (black-ish, What's Love Got to Do with It, and GOAT) as Professor Davenport

o Vincent Jamal Hooper (Chicago Med, Shots Fired) as Ellington

o Elijah J. Roberts (NIGHT SWIM) as Jalen

o Renee Harrison as Candace (All American: Homecoming, The Supreme's At Earl's All You Can Eat, Law and Order: SVU)

o Famecia Ward as Nellie Gaines (Blue Bloods Season 6, Curse of War, Fear Lake Lanier)

o Dasan Frazier (STRAW, Law & Order, BET+ The Ms. Pat Show) as Xavier

More About A Different World

· Previously Announced Cast:

o Maleah Joi Moon (Hell's Kitchen) as Deborah

o Alijah Kai Haggins (Everybody Hates Chris) as Rashida

o Cornell Young (Doing Life) as Shaquille

o Kennedi Reece (TK) as Hazel

o Jordan Aaron Hall (The Idea of You) as Amir

o Chibuikem Uche (One Of Us Is Lying) as Kojo

o Kadeem Hardison (A Different World, White Men Can't Jump) as Dwayne Wayne

o Jasmine Guy (A Different World, Harlem Nights) as Whitley Gilbert

o Darryl M. Bell (A Different World, School Daze) as Ron Johnson

o Cree Summer (A Different World, Atlantis: The Lost Empire) as Freddie Brooks

· Showrunner/Executive Producer/Writer: Felicia Pride (Grey's Anatomy, Queen Sugar)

· Director/Executive Producer: Debbie Allen (Grey's Anatomy) - who directed 83 episodes of the original series and served as primary director from 1988-1993 - returns for the sequel. She will direct three episodes including the first episode.

· Executive Producers: Writers from the original series Reggie Rock Bythewood (Shots Fired, Swagger) and Gina Prince-Bythewood (The Woman King, Love & Basketball) return as Executive Producers alongside Mandy Summers (That 90's Show, The Pradeeps of Pittsburgh) and Tom Werner (The Connors, Roseanne).

· Logline: When Deborah, Dwayne Wayne, and Whitley Gilbert's free-spirited, well-intentioned, yet rebellious youngest child, enters her freshman year at Hillman College, she finds the shadow of her parents difficult to escape as she sets out to build her own legacy, while having the time of her life, alongside a whole new generation of Hillman's best and brightest.

· Format: 10 episodes, single camera, half-hour format

· The show will join a lineup of other Netflix productions filmed in Atlanta, Georgia, including Stranger Things, His & Hers, and the upcoming 'Tis So Sweet, All the Sinners Bleed, and Sweet Magnolias S5.