Now streaming, Netflix’s 10-episode “A Different World” follows Deborah Wayne to her parents’ historically Black Hillman College after NYU Tisch rescinds her acceptance. Variety’s review says it captures Gen Z campus life but races through its stories.
Felicia Pride created the series, and Debbie Allen, who helmed the original sitcom, is an executive producer. Deborah shares a room with Rashida Duvall, a scholarship student from Compton, and Hazel, who grew up sheltered by a conservative family; the new male students include Shaquile, Kojo and Amir.
Variety says the series includes financial-aid struggles, sexual-health issues and friendship breakups alongside romance. It also depicts students and faculty grappling with what the review describes as near-nonexistent federal funding under the Trump administration; the soundtrack includes songs by Summer Walker, Mariah the Scientist and Alex Isley.
