Netflix’s A Different World is a new sequel series to the classic college sitcom of the same name. The series follows Deborah Wayne (Maleah Joi Moon), the daughter of original characters Dwayne Wayne (Kadeem Hardison) and Whitley Gilbert (Jasmine Guy). Deborah begins her freshman year at the fictional Hillman College and tries to build her own identity while living under her parents’ famous legacy.
The new series was filmed in Atlanta, Georgia. Production used real HBCU campuses to bring Hillman College to life. The main filming locations include Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, and Spelman College. Production on the full season wrapped in Atlanta in April 2026.
A Different World follows Deborah Wayne as she starts college at Hillman College, the same fictional HBCU attended by her parents. She joins a new group of friends while dealing with school, romance, family expectations, and the pressure of making her own name.
A Different World is set to be released on September 24, 2026, by Netflix.
Table of Contents
When and Where Was A Different World Filmed?
| Film Name | A Different World |
|---|---|
| Genres | Drama, Comedy, Romantic TV Drama, Romantic TV Comedy, Dramedy |
| Filming Locations | Atlanta, Georgia, USA |
| Main Locations | Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Spelman College |
| Filming Dates | Pilot: June 2025; Season 1: February–April 2026 |
| Creator/Showrunner | Felicia Pride |
| Location Managed by | Robert Lewis Milner Jr. |
| Production Company | Netflix Studios |
| Release Date | September 24, 2026 |
| Streaming Service | Netflix |
The pilot for A Different World was filmed in Atlanta in June 2025. Full production on Season 1 began in February 2026 and continued through April. Netflix later confirmed that production had wrapped in Atlanta. IMDb also lists Atlanta, Georgia, as the series’ filming location.
The production made strong use of Atlanta’s real HBCU campuses. Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, and Spelman College were used to create the world of Hillman College.
📍Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta, Georgia
Clark Atlanta University is one of the most important filming locations for A Different World. The Atlanta HBCU became closely linked with the new Hillman College setting during production. Signs reading “Hillman College” were seen on the Clark Atlanta University campus in 2025, giving fans an early look at how the fictional school would appear on screen.
The campus helped the series create a real college atmosphere instead of relying only on studio sets. Its HBCU setting also fits the story, which focuses on the lives of students at the fictional Hillman College.
📍Morehouse College
Morehouse College in Atlanta was also used during production. The school is part of the Atlanta University Center and helped the series build its larger HBCU campus world. The use of Morehouse gives the show a real college setting and adds to the authentic Atlanta feel of the series.
The available sources do not identify a specific scene filmed at Morehouse College, so it is best described as one of the confirmed campus locations rather than assigning a particular scene to the school.
📍Spelman College
Spelman College was another confirmed Atlanta filming location for the Netflix sequel. Like Clark Atlanta University and Morehouse College, Spelman is a historic HBCU and part of the Atlanta University Center. Its campus helped the production create the wider world of Hillman College.
The available information does not give a scene-by-scene breakdown for Spelman College. However, its use in the production is confirmed by UNCF, which states that the series was filmed at Morehouse College, Spelman College, and Clark Atlanta University.
📍Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta served as the main production base for the entire series. Netflix confirmed that production wrapped in Atlanta in April 2026, while IMDb lists Atlanta, Georgia, USA, as the filming location.
The choice of Atlanta was especially fitting for a show centered on HBCU life. The city is home to several major historically Black colleges and universities, allowing the production to use real campuses instead of creating every part of Hillman College from scratch.
A Different World Behind the Scenes
The return to Hillman College brought together the new cast and several stars from the original series. Maleah Joi Moon leads the new generation as Deborah Wayne, while Kadeem Hardison and Jasmine Guy return as Dwayne Wayne and Whitley Gilbert. Cree Summer and Darryl M. Bell also return as Freddie Brooks and Ron Johnson.
Netflix also shared behind-the-scenes and cast photos from the Atlanta production. The new and original actors were brought together for a cast photo that celebrated the next generation of Hillman College.
The production also made an effort to include real HBCU students and graduates. UNCF reported that about 59% of background performers were HBCU students or alumni, with about 32% of that group coming from Atlanta University Center schools. HBCU students also worked as production assistants, and an HBCU student council helped with storylines.
Is There Any Trailer Available for A Different World?
Yes. Netflix released the official A Different World teaser and Season 1 trailer ahead of the series premiere. The Season 1 trailer was released on August 17, 2026, and gives fans a look at Deborah’s first year at Hillman College and the return of several original characters.
You can also watch the official teaser from the verified Netflix YouTube channel:
A Different World is set to be released on September 24, 2026, by Netflix. The official Netflix page also lists both the Season 1 teaser and Season 1 trailer.
FAQs
Q1: Where was A Different World filmed?
A1: A Different World was filmed in Atlanta, Georgia. Confirmed HBCU filming locations include Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, and Spelman College.
Q2: Was Clark Atlanta University used as Hillman College in A Different World?
A2: Yes. Clark Atlanta University was used as part of the Hillman College setting. “Hillman College” signs were also seen on the campus during production.
Q3: What scenes were filmed at Morehouse College and Spelman College?
A3: Both Morehouse College and Spelman College were confirmed as filming locations, but the available sources do not give a detailed scene-by-scene breakdown for either campus. They were used as part of the show’s wider HBCU setting.
Q4: When did filming for A Different World begin?
A4: The pilot was filmed in Atlanta in June 2025. Full Season 1 production began on February 5, 2026, and filming continued through April 2026. Netflix confirmed that production wrapped in Atlanta in April.
Q5: Is Hillman College a real college?
A5: No. Hillman College is a fictional HBCU created for A Different World. However, the Netflix sequel was filmed at real HBCU campuses in Atlanta, including Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, and Spelman College.
Q6: Who stars in A Different World?
A6: The new series stars Maleah Joi Moon as Deborah Wayne, Alijah Kai as Rashida Duvall, Cornell Young IV as Shaquille Johnson, Jordan Aaron Hall as Amir Rodale, Kennedi Reece as Hazel Henry, and Chibuikem Uche as Kojo Achebe. Original stars including Jasmine Guy, Kadeem Hardison, Cree Summer, and Darryl M. Bell also return.
Q7: When will A Different World be released on Netflix?
A7: A Different World will premiere on Netflix on September 24, 2026. The first season has 10 episodes.
A Different World brings the story of Hillman College back for a new generation. While Hillman itself is fictional, the Netflix sequel was filmed at real HBCU campuses in Atlanta, including Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, and Spelman College.
The use of real Atlanta campuses gives the series a natural college feel and connects the new story to the HBCU culture that made the original show so special. With filming now complete and the series set to premiere on Netflix on September 24, 2026, fans can soon return to Hillman College and meet its new class.
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