Jada Pinkett Smith will reprise her role as Lena James in Netflix’s upcoming ‘A Different World’ sequel series.
Pinkett Smith teased her comeback in an Instagram post Wednesday afternoon, sharing a photo of the trailer with the name of the “A Different World” character plastered on the door. The post was captioned, “She’s back in #ADifferentWorld.” Netflix-related Instagram account Strong Black Lead also posted the photo, and Netflix’s main Instagram account later posted the photo to its story, confirming the news.
The “A Different World” sequel series was first reported to be in development at Netflix in 2024 and officially went to series in November 2025.
Similar to the 1987 version, the new interpretation is set at the fictional HBCU Hillman University. Marea Joy Moon leads the cast as Deborah Wayne, the daughter of original characters Dwayne Wayne (Kadeem Hardison) and Whitney Gilbert (Jasmine Guy). The show’s official logline states that the show “follows Deborah, a freshman at her parents’ alma mater, an HBCU, who finds it difficult to escape her parents’ shadow. She sets out to build her own legacy alongside a whole new generation of Hillman’s brightest, while having the time of her life.”
Other cast members include Raija Kai (“Everybody Hates Chris”) as Rashida, Chibuikem Uche (“One Of Us Is Lying”) as Kodjo, Cornel Young IV (“Doing Life”) as Shakir, Jordan Aaron Hall (“The Idea of You”) as Amir, and newcomer Kennedy Reese as Hazel.
The original “A Different World” began as a spin-off of “The Cosby Show,” and followed Lisa Bonet’s character Dennis Huxtable as he adjusted to life at Hillman College. Bonet only starred in the first season, then ceded his spot to series regulars Guy, Hardison, Dawn Lewis, Glynn Turman, Corey Tyler, Lou Meyers, Darryl M. Bell, Cree Summer, and Charnelle Brown. Pinkett Smith joined the show just before season 5 as Lena James. The show ran for six seasons on NBC.
Felicia Pride is the series’ writer, executive producer, and showrunner. Debbie Allen, Mandy Summers, Tom Warner, Gina Prince-Bythewood and Reggie Rock-Bythewood will also serve as executive producers, with Allen set to direct three episodes, including the first.
